Legal Fees for Buying and Selling a House in Malaysia (2026 Guide)
Bidang Amalan
Hartanah
Legal fees for buying or selling a house in Malaysia are fixed by the Solicitors' Remuneration Order 2023 (SRO 2023): 1.25% on the first RM500,000 of the price and 1.0% on the balance up to RM7.5 million, plus 8% SST. The buyer pays the SPA and transfer fees and a separate loan-agreement fee; the seller pays their own lawyer (mainly to discharge any existing loan) and any Real Property Gains Tax. Because the scale is statutory, every conveyancing firm charges the same base rate.
Legal fees when buying a house
As a buyer, your legal fees are calculated on the property price for the SPA/transfer, and separately on the loan amount for the loan agreement:
Property price | SPA / transfer legal fee (SRO 2023) | With 8% SST |
|---|---|---|
RM250,000 | RM3,125 | RM3,375 |
RM500,000 | RM6,250 | RM6,750 |
RM700,000 | RM8,250 | RM8,910 |
RM1,000,000 | RM11,250 | RM12,150 |
SRO 2023 scale: 1.25% on the first RM500,000 (minimum RM500), then 1.0% on the balance up to RM7.5 million. The same scale is charged separately on the Loan Agreement (on the loan amount). 8% SST applies on professional fees.
Example — a RM500,000 subsale with a 90% loan: SPA/transfer fee about RM6,250, plus a loan agreement fee of about RM5,000 (1% on RM450,000 after the first tier), plus 8% SST and disbursements. You also pay stamp duty on the transfer and loan, which is separate from legal fees.
Legal fees when selling a house
Sellers generally do not pay the SPA/transfer scale fee — that falls on the buyer. A seller's main legal cost is discharging an existing mortgage (redemption), typically around RM1,000 including disbursements, plus Real Property Gains Tax if the sale is at a profit. Who pays legal fees when selling a house? Each side pays their own lawyer.
Who pays what — buyer vs seller
Cost | Buyer | Seller |
|---|---|---|
SPA & transfer legal fee (SRO 2023) | Yes | No |
Loan agreement legal fee | Yes | No |
Stamp duty on transfer & loan | Yes | No |
Discharge of charge (redemption) fee | No | Yes (if loan exists) |
Real Property Gains Tax (RPGT) | No | Yes (if gain) |
Agent commission | No | Yes (if using an agent) |
Do first-time buyers pay lower legal fees?
Legal fees follow the same statutory scale for everyone. What first-home buyers may enjoy are stamp duty exemptions or remissions announced in the national Budget — these change from year to year, so confirm the current threshold with your lawyer before signing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are legal fees the same at every law firm?
The base scale is identical because it is set by SRO 2023. Firms may offer up to a 25% discount on certain matters, but cannot charge below the statutory minimum.
Do I pay SPA and MOT (transfer) fees twice?
The scale applies to the sale and transfer; in practice many firms handle the SPA and transfer together. The loan agreement is a separate document with its own scale fee on the loan amount.
Who pays the lawyer when selling a house in Malaysia?
The seller pays their own lawyer, mainly for discharging the loan and completing the sale; the buyer pays their own lawyer for the SPA, transfer and loan documents.
Are disbursements included in the legal fee?
No. Disbursements (searches, registration, stamping) are out-of-pocket costs charged in addition to the professional fee.
Need an experienced conveyancing lawyer?
Want an exact, itemised quote for your purchase or sale before you commit? At ASCOLAW (Tetuan Akmal Saufi & Co), our property lawyers have handled thousands of subsale, LPPSA and bank-financed transactions. Start with a short consultation to get a clear cost estimate and a step-by-step plan. Get a quote & speak to a conveyancing lawyer here.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Every property transaction is unique. Please obtain specific advice from a licensed lawyer before acting on any part of it.
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AKMAL SAUFI MOHAMED KHALED
Managing Partner & Founder
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