JOHOR BARU: With cost of living continuing to increase, those renting rooms and houses here are worried that they may also have to fork out more for their accommodation in town.
A property manager estimated that rental for properties around here has shot up by about 200% compared to during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Supplier project officer Mohamad Ariffin Mohd Lawi, 30, who works in Singapore, said he is currently renting a two-bedroom house with a friend in Kampung Melayu Majidee here.
“For now, we are paying RM700 for the house, excluding utilities. Since our agreement will only end around June next year, there has not been any discussion to increase the rental.
“I am worried that there will be a significant hike in rent, but what choice do we have? Many of my friends, especially those living in high-rise buildings, are already seeing an increase in their rental,” he said in an interview.
Mohamad Ariffin said that despite earning Singapore dollars, he too feels the pinch with the rising cost of living.
“Prices of everything have gone up but our salary remains the same,” he said.
Another Malaysian working in Singapore, who wanted to be known only as Qayyum, said he is also worried about having to pay more for his room rental.
“I only started working in Singapore four months ago and I have been living in a rented room in Larkin here.
“Though my landlord has not talked about an increase, I am worried about it. We are already facing a huge burden in dealing with the increase in prices of goods and a rental hike will surely add to it,” said the 32-year-old bus driver.
Meanwhile, Lim Sie Yan, 40, who manages about 10 rental properties around Johor Baru, said rental fees have increased by about 200% compared to during the pandemic.
“The hike in rental for Singapore’s HDB (Housing Development Board) flats has pushed up the demand for rented properties here, especially among locals working in Singapore.
“The heightened demand for rooms and houses has further caused rental rates here to rise.
“We need to follow the market rate for such rented properties, especially as the cost of maintenance has also gone up,” he said.
However, he reminded tenants that they do not have to worry as landlords cannot raise rental rates on a whim until the expiry of the agreement between them.
“The renters could opt for other more affordable accommodation if the price is too high,” he said.
