Demand outstrips supply for rental units in Johor
Property agents say workers seek accommodation close to border but commute to work in Singapore due to its stronger currency

DEMAND for residential properties in Johor, especially in the Iskandar Malaysia region, is soaring as workers from outside the state flock to work in Singapore due to its strong currency.

Vigor Properties Sdn Bhd business development manager Sky Ang said demand for properties in the rental market exceeded supply.

“Many Malaysians coming from outside Johor are seeking employment opportunities in Singapore because of the favourable exchange rate against the ringgit,” he said when contacted. The Singapore dollar is currently trading at 1 to 3.52 to the ringgit.

Ang said most of them were first-time job seekers, singles aged between 20 and 30 years, and originally from towns in Perak and Penang.

“Their presence has fuelled demand for rooms for rent within the Johor Baru district and the suburban areas,” he noted.

He said the hotspots for rooms in Johor Baru were Taman Pelangi, Taman Abad, Taman Sentosa and nearby KSL shopping mall.

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Their proximity to Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex was the main reason renters preferred these areas, he added.

Ang: Job seekers from outside Johor have fuelled demand for rental properties in JB district.

Ang said the average monthly rental for fully furnished rooms in these locations was between RM600 and RM700 last year, but had gone up to between RM800 and RM900 now.

“Locals working in Singapore only want a fully furnished room to sleep in, as they spend most of their time commuting to work,” he said.

He added that demand for landed houses and condominiums in Taman Perling, Taman Bukit Indah and Permas Jaya was from those who work in Singapore but have families staying in Johor.

“The rental rate for landed properties in these areas is RM2,000 while for condominiums, it starts at RM2,000,” said Ang.

Maxxan Realty Sdn Bhd negotiator Roslee Khalib said 80% of their clients renting rooms were from Kuala Lumpur, Perak and Selangor, with the majority of them working in the food and beverage, retail and hospitality sectors in Singapore.

He said those using the Johor Causeway to commute daily to Singapore for work preferred to stay in Larkin, Tebrau and Permas Jaya.

“Renting a place in Larkin is convenient as they can take bus or taxi from Larkin Sentral Terminal to Singapore via the Johor Causeway,” said Roslee.

He said Malaysians working in Singapore and using the Sultan Abu Bakar CIQ complex in Tanjung Kupang preferred to stay in Gelang Patah, Taman Perling or Bandar Uda Utama.

“The average monthly rental for a fully furnished room is from RM700 upwards; for a master bedroom with attached bathroom and air-conditioning, it is at least RM2,000,” said Roslee.

He said the rate was considered reasonable as they would have to pay SGD500 (RM1,756) to SGD1,000 (RM3,513) if they were to rent a room in a HDB flat in Singapore.

Unofficial figures estimate that some 330,000 Malaysians commute daily to Singapore to work, while around 400,000 Malaysian workers live in Singapore.
DEMAND for residential properties in Johor, especially in the Iskandar Malaysia region, is soaring as workers from outside the state flock to work in Singapore due to its strong currency.