Malaysian Property Glossary: English to Malay Terms
Property transactions in Malaysia run in two languages. Land office documents and statutory forms are in Malay, while bank documents and commercial agreements are usually in English. This glossary lists the terms people ask about most, with both versions side by side. Title and land English Bahasa Melayu Short note Land title Hakmilik tanah The […]
Updated 19 September 2026 · Written and reviewed by Nur Nabilah Binti Mohd Aris
A glossary of Malaysian property terms with English and Malay equivalents, grouped into title and land, sale and transfer, and loans and charges.
What this malaysian property terms in malay guide covers
Property transactions in Malaysia run in two languages. Land office documents and statutory forms are in Malay, while bank documents and commercial agreements are usually in English. This glossary lists the terms people ask about most, with both versions side by side.
Title and land
| English | Bahasa Melayu | Short note |
|---|---|---|
| Land title | Hakmilik tanah | The registered ownership right |
| Title document | Dokumen hakmilik (geran) | The printed document evidencing registration |
| Individual title | Hakmilik individu | For landed property |
| Strata title | Hakmilik strata | For apartments, condominiums and stratified units |
| Master title | Hakmilik induk | The developer title before subdivision |
| Leasehold | Pajakan | Time limited tenure, commonly 99 years |
| Freehold | Pegangan bebas | Perpetual tenure |
| Restriction in interest | Sekatan kepentingan | State authority consent needed before transfer |
| Express condition | Syarat nyata | The permitted use of the land |
| Caveat | Kaveat | An entry that blocks dealings from being registered |
Sale and transfer
| English | Bahasa Melayu | Short note |
|---|---|---|
| Conveyancing | Pindah milik hartanah | The legal work of moving title |
| Sale and purchase agreement | Perjanjian jual beli | The contract between seller and buyer |
| Booking form | Borang tempahan | The early document, usually from a developer or agent |
| Deposit | Wang pendahuluan | Early payment towards the price |
| Memorandum of transfer | Borang pindah milik | Form 14A, the registered transfer |
| Stamp duty | Duti setem | Tax on the document |
| Vacant possession | Milikan kosong | Handing the property to the buyer |
| Differential sum | Wang perbezaan | What the buyer tops up beyond the loan |
| Due diligence | Usaha wajar | Title and document checks before you are bound |
| Completion | Penyempurnaan | When the balance is paid and the transfer registered |
Loans and charges
| English | Bahasa Melayu | Short note |
|---|---|---|
| Charge | Gadaian | The bank security over a titled property |
| Chargee | Pemegang gadaian | Usually the bank |
| Chargor | Penggadai | The owner who charged the property |
| Deed of assignment | Suratikatan penyerahan hak | Used where the individual title has not been issued |
| Redemption | Penebusan | Settling the seller outstanding loan |
| Discharge of charge | Pelepasan gadaian | Cancelling the charge once the loan is paid |
| Vesting order | Perintah peletakhakan | Commonly arises after a bank merger |
| Letter of offer | Surat tawaran | The bank loan offer |
| Perfection of transfer | Penyempurnaan pindah milik | Once the individual or strata title is issued |
| Real property gains tax | Cukai keuntungan harta tanah | Known locally as CKHT |
Estates and beneficiaries
| English | Bahasa Melayu | Short note |
|---|---|---|
| Estate | Pusaka | Everything a deceased person leaves behind |
| Small estate | Pusaka kecil | An estate dealt with through the small estate office rather than the court |
| Letters of administration | Surat kuasa mentadbir | Authority to administer an estate where there is no will |
| Grant of probate | Probet | Proving the will and giving the executor authority to act |
| Executor | Wasi | The person named in the will to carry it out |
| Administrator | Pentadbir | The person appointed to administer an estate without a will |
| Beneficiary | Waris or benefisiari | A party entitled to a share of the estate |
| Will | Wasiat | The document setting out what the owner wants after death |
| Intestate | Tanpa wasiat | Where the deceased left no valid will |
| Matrimonial property | Harta sepencarian | Property acquired jointly during the marriage |
Land office and taxes
| English | Bahasa Melayu | Short note |
|---|---|---|
| Land office | Pejabat tanah | Where dealings are registered, organised by district |
| District | Daerah | The land district comes from the title, not the postal address |
| Mukim | Mukim | A subdivision within a district, stated on the title |
| Quit rent | Cukai tanah | An annual charge payable to the state |
| Assessment | Cukai taksiran | Payable to the local council, often called cukai pintu |
| Stamp duty | Duti setem | Duty on the transfer form and the loan agreement |
| Real property gains tax | Cukai keuntungan harta tanah | Known as CKHT, charged on the seller gain |
| Registrar | Pendaftar | The officer who registers a dealing on the title |
Terms explained in more detail
- Land title in Malay, geran and hakmilik and how they differ
- Property due diligence, what actually gets checked
- Conveyancing, the scope of work and when you need it
- Vesting order, when it applies in a property matter
Frequently asked questions about malaysian property terms in malay
Why are Malaysian property documents in two languages?
Land office documents and statutory forms are in Malay, while bank documents and commercial agreements are usually in English.
If an agreement is bilingual, which version prevails?
It depends on the clause in that agreement. Most say which version prevails. Check it before signing.
Are geran and hakmilik the same thing?
In everyday use they are treated as the same. In official documents hakmilik is the registered right and geran is the printed document evidencing it.
Ready to start your property matter?
An initial consultation with no obligation. Tell us about your matter and we will explain what is involved and what it is likely to cost.
No 1, Jalan Setia Dagang AL U13/AL, Setia Alam, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor
014-4004293 · Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm