Short answer: Buying costs are one-off, but owning a Johor Bahru condo has recurring bills. Expect four main ones: a monthly maintenance fee and sinking fund paid to the management body, quit rent paid to the land office each year, and assessment tax paid to the local council twice a year. The amounts differ by project and council, so ask the developer or seller for the actual figures before you commit.
Last verified: 16 October 2026. This is a planning guide, not legal, tax or financial advice. Figures are not quoted here because they change by project and council; confirm each with the management office or council.
The recurring costs at a glance
| Cost | Who collects it | How often | What it pays for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintenance fee (service charge) | Developer-appointed manager, then the management corporation (MC) or joint management body (JMB) | Monthly or quarterly | Security, cleaning, lifts, landscaping, common-area utilities and facilities |
| Sinking fund | Same body | Monthly or quarterly | A reserve for major repairs such as repainting, lift replacement and roof works |
| Quit rent (cukai tanah) | State land office | Yearly | Land rent on the title |
| Assessment tax (cukai pintu) | Local council (for example MBJB in Johor Bahru or MBIP in Iskandar Puteri) | Twice a year | Council services such as roads, drains and rubbish collection |
| Fire and home insurance | Insurer | Yearly | Cover for the unit’s structure and contents (optional for many owners, required by some lenders) |
Maintenance fee and sinking fund
Maintenance fees are usually set per square foot of built-up area, so a bigger unit pays more, and projects with more facilities (pool, gym, sky decks, 24-hour security) tend to charge more. Under Malaysia’s Strata Management Act 2013, the sinking fund is charged on top of the maintenance fee and must be at least 10% of it.
Three things to check before you buy:
- The current rate per square foot and when the last increase was.
- Whether the developer subsidises the fee during the early years, and when the subsidy ends.
- Arrears and the sinking fund balance. For a subsale unit, ask for the management’s statement so you do not inherit unpaid bills.
Quit rent and assessment tax
Quit rent is a yearly land charge shown on the title, and assessment tax is billed by the council that covers your project. Both are usually small next to the maintenance fee, but unpaid amounts can attach to the property. For a subsale purchase, your lawyer should check that both are paid up to date. See the buying costs guide and the stamp duty and legal fees guide for the one-off costs.
How the recurring costs affect your return
If you rent the unit out, deduct these bills from the rent before you calculate net yield. A condo with a high maintenance fee and a low rent can look much weaker once the full list is counted. Our rental yield guide shows how to calculate it, and the guide to renting out a Johor property as a foreign owner covers the foreign-owner side. If you are a Singapore-based buyer, see Johor property for Singaporean buyers and the CPF and loan guide.
Checklist before you commit
- Ask for the current maintenance fee and sinking fund rate in writing.
- Ask when the fee was last raised and whether a rise is planned.
- Confirm that quit rent and assessment tax are up to date (subsale).
- Ask how many units are in arrears; a high number can strain the building’s upkeep.
- Read the project due diligence checklist.
FAQ
What is the difference between maintenance fee and sinking fund?
The maintenance fee pays for day-to-day running costs such as security, cleaning and lifts. The sinking fund is a reserve saved for large future repairs. Both are paid by the owner.
How much is the sinking fund in Malaysia?
The Strata Management Act 2013 requires the sinking fund to be at least 10% of the maintenance fee. Many projects charge exactly that.
Do foreign owners pay quit rent and assessment tax?
Yes. They are charged on the property, not on the owner’s nationality.
Who pays the maintenance fee if the unit is rented out?
The owner is responsible to the management body. Whether the tenant reimburses it depends on the tenancy agreement, so state it clearly in the contract.
Where do I find the exact amounts for a project?
Ask the developer’s sales team for a new launch, or the management office and the seller’s statement for a subsale unit. Our team can also help you check them on WhatsApp.
Sources: Strata Management Act 2013 (Act 757) and the local council and land office information for Johor Bahru.
