Yalinie Mathan
Malaysia had 33,094 completed but unsold homes worth RM17.8 billion in the second quarter of 2026. The Dewan Rakyat heard this on 12 November. However, the Housing Ministry says rent-to-own deals could help clear them. Affordable housing is under pressure in many states, including Penang, where MutiaraKu homes top 176,000.
Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu gave the figures during Question Time. She said the ministry is open to partnerships with developers and financial institutions. As a result, rent-to-own would extend to unsold units held by private developers.
The count is up 8.6% from 30,471 units a year earlier. However, any scheme would depend on price, location, demand and commercial viability. No timeline was given.
What the 33,094 unsold homes figure means
In total, the 33,094 units are worth RM17.8 billion. A year earlier the count was 30,471, so about 2,600 more homes now sit unsold. By our calculation, the average is about RM538,000 a unit.
Aiman said the mismatch comes partly from house prices beyond the reach of some families. In addition, she pointed to unsuitable locations and property types. Buyers and builders are therefore not meeting in the middle.
Importantly, the figure counts completed homes only. It does not cover projects still under construction. Likewise, the answer did not name the states with the most unsold stock.
The question came from an opposition MP. Specifically, he asked whether rent-to-own schemes would cover completed but unsold properties from private developers. The reply was an in-principle yes, with conditions.
How rent-to-own could clear unsold homes
In simple terms, rent-to-own lets a tenant rent a home with an option to buy it later. Overall, the ministry sees it as another route to ownership. It could help families who cannot yet get a conventional loan.
Private developers could join the scheme, Aiman said. Furthermore, the ministry is open to strategic partnerships with developers and banks. Meanwhile, no developer has been named.
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The scheme would sit alongside existing help such as the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme and step-up financing. In addition, it would give a gradual path to ownership. Buyers would start by renting and later move to a loan.
Several details are missing. There is no price range for the homes and no start date. Furthermore, it is unclear how the ministry has not said how rent would count toward the purchase price.
Policies behind the plan to clear unsold homes
Aiman said the idea fits the National Housing Policy 2026-2035. Likewise, it fits the 13th Malaysia Plan. Both aim to widen access to affordable housing.
The National Affordable Housing Council coordinates federal, state and local governments and industry. It is chaired by the Prime Minister. As a result, any rent-to-own pilot would likely pass through that council.
Besides, an integrated housing data repository is being built under the 13th Malaysia Plan. It will cover supply, demand, affordability, prices and unsold units. Therefore, future counts of unsold homes may be easier to track.
In short, Malaysia had 33,094 unsold homes worth RM17.8 billion in Q2 2026. The ministry is open to rent-to-own with developers. Watch for a pilot, a price range and the states involved.
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