Many Malaysian homeowners live on leasehold land — and most of those come with a 99-year lease. But what happens when that lease starts to run out?
Renewing a lease isn’t something most people deal with often, so it’s common to feel unsure about the timeline. In this article, we’ll break down how long it takes to renew a leasehold property in Malaysia, what affects the duration, and how you can make the process smoother.
🕒 Average Time to Renew Leasehold in Malaysia
In general, renewing a 99-year lease can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. It depends on a few key factors:
The state authority handling your application (e.g. Selangor vs. Wilayah Persekutuan)
Whether your documents are complete and accurate
How busy or backlogged the land office (Pejabat Tanah) is
⚠️ Why Does Leasehold Renewal Take So Long?
Leasehold renewal is a legal and bureaucratic process that includes:
Valuation of the land
Calculation of premium for lease extension (based on market value)
Approvals from different departments
Payment of premium or negotiated sum
Issuance of a new title document with the extended lease
If any document is missing, incorrect, or delayed, it slows down everything.
📉 What Happens If Your Lease Gets Too Close to Expiry?
If your 99-year lease drops below 40 years, the property:
- Becomes harder to sell as it's harder for new buyers to get financing for (banks often avoid short leases)
- Loses value - as a result of lower desirability to buyers
That’s why many homeowners choose to renew their leasehold early—even when there are still 50 to 60 years left.
✅ How to Speed Up Your Lease Renewal
Here are a few ways to avoid unnecessary delays:
Prepare all required documents upfront (NRIC, grant, quit rent, etc.)
Settle any outstanding bills or fines
Work with a specialist or agent who understands the land office process
At Sambung Nyawa, we help homeowners navigate the process from start to finish—saving you time, money, and stress.
📌 Final Thoughts
Renewing a leasehold property in Malaysia doesn’t happen overnight. But with the right guidance and preparation, the process becomes much more manageable. If you own a leasehold home with a 99-year lease and are unsure when or how to start the renewal, talk to our team. We’ll guide you every step of the way—so you don’t get stuck in a long queue or risk losing value on your property.
Disclaimer: The information above is based on current data and regulations as of the date of publication. Leasehold property laws, procedures, and policies may change over time.