Aiman Athirah: STRA guidelines nearing completion
KUALA LUMPUR: The Housing and Local Government Ministry is finalising guidelines to regulate short-term rental accommodation (STRA), with the revised document undergoing a final review before being submitted to the cabinet for consideration.
The Housing and Local Government Ministry is finalising the STRA (Short-Term Rental Accommodation) guidelines, which are nearly complete and awaiting cabinet consideration. The guidelines aim to establish a uniform regulatory framework nationwide, covering registration, compliance requirements, safety, cleanliness, operational management, and operators' responsibilities towards local communities.
The updated document will be presented to the National Council for Local Government and subsequently adopted by state governments and local authorities.
The Strata Management Act 2013 provides mechanisms for joint management bodies and management corporations to enforce by-laws. The government plans to require all premises to be registered and comply with local authority licensing before operating legally. Digital platforms are encouraged to implement automated licence verification for listings and remove unlicensed properties or those breaching regulations.
A regulatory impact assessment was conducted during the preparation of the initial framework, examining compliance costs for STRA operators and property owners, rental income potential, impacts on the hotel and tourism industries, accommodation costs, consumer choices, government revenue, public safety, and community well-being.
The proposed annual limit of 180 nights for STRA operations must balance property owners' income generation opportunities with tourism industry needs, public safety, public order, and residents' well-being.
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