With Malaysia’s love of property, we’re always looking for exciting new property types to develop! The townhouse design definitely fits that passion.
There’s a simple explanation to what a townhouse in Malaysia looks like, and then we go into the slightly more complicated discussion of just what that means for you as a homebuyer.
What Is A Townhouse?
In Malaysia, a townhouse refers to a unique type of property designed in a terrace style, but with two houses stacked on top of each other.
These properties tend to be three-storey, and sometimes even four-storey, and include two or more property units within a single building.
The standard townhouse design would have a ground floor property owned by one individual, and the top floor property owned by a separate individual.
There are no shared spaces (apart from potentially the outdoor parking), and each owner lives in their own private part of the property. You don’t have to worry about some random guy sitting on your sofa watching Netflix!
Townhouses often include a split second floor, where for example, the ‘upstairs owner’ has an area at the back of the building, and the ‘downstairs owner’ has an area at the front.
A block of townhouses may look a little like a very tall terrace development, but there are subtle differences. A townhouse design is in such a way so that each owner has direct access to their own property, without using a shared area.
That often means a main door to the front for the lower property, and a private door to the side/back of the property for the upstairs owner.
Townhouses also benefit from shared facilities as part of a designed development. That means, unlike terrace houses, they’re usually located in gated and guarded communities with a common area and security.
The use of the term ‘townhouse’ for this type of property is quite unique to Malaysia. In locations like the US and Europe, townhouse often refers to an upmarket semi-detached or detached house as part of a wider property development.
If you’ve got a townhouse in a city like London, you’re likely part of the ultra-rich elite who collect Ferraris just for fun.
Malaysia’s townhouses offer something of a more balanced approach to landed + condo living, providing some truly beautiful properties but at a more accessible price range.
Townhouses vs. Other Property Types
What’s interesting about Malaysia’s townhouses is how they bridge the divide between stratified property and landed property.
They’re somewhere between a terrace house, and a high-rise. That has some important implications for ownership that you’d need to know about.
First of all: townhouses come with strata titles of ownership. The more common forms of stratified properties in Malaysia are flats, apartments, or condominiums.
That means we’re used to thinking of stratified property as existing in huge tower blocks that reach up to the sky. Townhouses are a little different; think of it as a hybrid!
Strata titles are titles of ownership that relate to separate property units owned, as part of a larger development.
That means they come with certain conditions relating to the overall development, such as an obligation to pay for shared upkeep in the form of maintenance fees or sinking funds. These obligations are regulated under the Strata Management Act 2013.
Of course, these shared obligations aren’t just a burden, they also mean you’re part of a wider development that boasts shared facilities such as well-maintained outdoor spaces, security services, and often facilities like gyms or playgrounds.
Obviously, unlike a condo complex, you’re not sharing a common entrance with other property owners, so you’re still benefiting from the kind of privacy you’d enjoy in a landed property. You also don’t have to pay for expensive maintenance of lifts and landscaping!
What’s also helpful to realise is that if there’s some sort of problem with a townhouse property, repair costs are shared with the other owner too. If the roof falls off your bungalow, unfortunately, you’re the only person who pays for repairs.
Landed properties of course include the likes of detached, semi-detached, and superlink properties. These often come with private areas of land, something that doesn’t come as standard with a townhouse.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Townhouses?
Townhouses offer a little bit of both worlds. You enjoy the privacy of landed property, with the shared facility benefits (and obligations) of a stratified property.
Looking at some of the attractive townhouses on the market today makes it clear why they’re becoming a popular choice.
Sunway GEOLake in Bandar Sunway and Affiniti Residences in Seri Kembangan both showcase the aspirational view of a townhouse.
You get a private property as part of a beautifully maintained development with all the benefits of shared facilities you might expect in a condo.
That’s not to say you don’t have to weigh up some considerations in both directions before you make your choice. Here’s a quickfire list of pros and cons of townhouses to help guide you along the way.
Pros and Cons of Townhouses | |
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Pros
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Cons
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Privacy of landed property in a shared development.
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Compromise on ‘shared’ building compared to absolute privacy of landed property.
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Shared facilities and common amenities.
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Commitment to pay shared maintenance and upkeep.
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Potentially more affordable than comparable landed property.
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Less availability than traditional stratified or landed property.
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Unique and desirable.
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Limits to renovations/alterations under shared development agreement.
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Shared repair costs.
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Generally have less comprehensive shared facilities than a condo development.
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Townhouses are a unique entry into Malaysia’s property market. They are clearly a desirable choice for some, and you can understand why when you see some of the amazing developments springing up across the country.
Ultimately, it may well be down to preference. Townhouses come with some wonderfully attractive elements, but some compromises too. The choice is really up to you!
Relevant Guides:
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The 11 Different Types Of Properties And Houses In Malaysia
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9 Townhouses Below RM500,000 In Klang Valley You Should Check Out!
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Can You Buy A Property With Dogecoin/Bitcoin In Malaysia?
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