Housing Affordability Should Reflect Overall Cost Of Living - Propertyguru
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- Housing affordability should be assessed based on the overall cost of living, including rent or mortgage payments, transport, utilities, maintenance and access to everyday needs, said online property marketplaces.
PropertyGuru Malaysia and iProperty Malaysia managing director Vic Sithasanan said affordability should not be viewed solely through the price of a property, as Malaysians move between renting and homeownership at different stages of life depending on income, household needs, employment and location.
“Budget 2027 is an opportunity to continue recognising rental as a core part of Malaysia’s housing ecosystem.
“This includes improving access to suitable, trusted and affordable rental supply, while giving responsible landlords and agents clearer pathways to bring that supply into the market,” he said in a statement in conjunction with the upcoming Budget 2027.
Based on PropertyGuru’s platform data, Vic said rental searches were outpacing searches for properties for sale, with rental properties also shortlisted more frequently than sale properties.
According to PropertyGuru’s first half of 2026 (1H2026) Consumer Sentiment Study, among renters surveyed, 81 per cent said rents were too high; 51 per cent had moved further from the city because of housing costs, and 89 per cent paid less than RM1,500 a month.
Vic said the company was also looking to support rental supply through Pay Per Post, its new flexible listing option for trusted agents and property owners.
“By making it easier to bring individual listings onto PropertyGuru and iProperty Malaysia, we hope to help more suitable rental supply reach renters where they are already searching, while keeping trust and listing quality central to the experience,” he said.
Vic said affordability should also take into account the recurring costs of living in a home.
He noted that energy efficiency, public transport access, connectivity, climate resilience, and proximity to everyday services are not just lifestyle preferences, as they influence what households spend every month, and how practical a home is to live in.
PropertyGuru’s 1H2026 Consumer Sentiment Study found that 86 per cent of respondents considered sustainable features important when buying or renting a house, while 78 per cent took climate risks such as flooding and landslides into account when purchasing property.
Infrastructure and amenities were also prioritised by 30 per cent of respondents.
“For Budget 2027, this means housing affordability should be viewed alongside the wider cost of living in a particular location.
“A more practical measure of affordability would take into account not only rent or purchase price, but also transport, utilities, connectivity, and access to essential services,” Vic said.
He stressed that policymakers and industry players should also look beyond headline supply numbers to understand local demand, rental and ownership intent, price accessibility, existing housing stock and connectivity.
He further said public datasets remain essential, but they can be strengthened by complementary demand signals from the private sector, including how consumers search, shortlist and enquire.
“Used responsibly and in aggregate, such signals could help identify mismatches earlier, allowing homes, infrastructure and services to be better aligned with community needs.
“Budget 2027 provides an opportunity to embed this demand-led approach more strongly in housing planning,” Vic added.
-- BERNAMA