Johor Bahru tenant questions RM700 “consent fee” on rental renewal, raising concerns about hidden charges
WHEN renting a property, it is understandable that certain fees may be imposed to maintain the condition of the premises and ensure the place runs efficiently.
Recently, a tenant in Johor Bahru called out a property agent for allegedly imposing a fee he had never heard of.
According to screenshots shared on Threads, the agent allegedly charged the tenant a RM700 “consent fee”, bringing the total renewal cost to RM1,250.
Other charges reportedly included:
- A rental increase from RM1,300 to RM1,400
- A rent deposit of RM200
- A utilities deposit of RM50
- An agreement fee of RM300
Under Malaysian law, a consent fee does not apply to rental agreements.
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When the tenant inquired about the unexpected charge, the agent allegedly told him it was a “top-up” of an “agent fee”, to which he responded by stating that the agent had not been appointed by him.
The tenant then shared screenshots of last year’s payments as evidence, but the property agent claimed she did not collect those payments, adding that the fee was meant to be collected for every lease renewal.
The total payment last year amounted to only RM550, marking a significant increase compared to the current charges.
In response, the tenant countered the agent by pointing out that the fee was never mentioned in his contract and highlighted the rental increase.
The tenant also claimed that his unit, which was supposed to be a two-bedroom, two-bathroom property, had allegedly been reduced to one bedroom and one bathroom, without any furnishings.
Adding to the issue, the tenant allegedly has no direct means of contacting the property owner and is forced to deal solely through the agent.
Netizens criticised the property agent for imposing the fees and urged the tenant to report the matter.
Many also pointed out that Johor Bahru’s high rental market is allegedly driven by hidden fees imposed without tenants’ knowledge, posing challenges for those seeking affordable housing.
“Many property agents these days obtain their commissions from both parties in Penang,” one user alleged.
“If the landlord wants the agent to deal with you, then the landlord should pay the agent, unless it is a subletting case,” another commented.
