Legal Fees for Buying a Subsale Property
A full breakdown of legal fees and stamp duty for a subsale property purchase in Malaysia, calculated under the Solicitors Remuneration Order 2023 and the Stamp Act 1949.
Updated 21 August 2026 · Written and reviewed by Nur Nabilah Binti Mohd Aris
For a subsale property at RM500,000 with a 90% loan, the total is approximately RM26,000. That comprises legal fees of RM6,250 for the sale and purchase agreement, RM5,625 for the loan documentation, service tax of RM950, transfer stamp duty of RM9,000, loan agreement stamp duty of RM2,250, plus registration fees and disbursements.
Legal costs for a property purchase in Malaysia are not a price set by the law firm. Conveyancing fees are fixed by statute under the Solicitors Remuneration Order 2023, and stamp duty is fixed under the Stamp Act 1949.
This means the figures below are the same whichever firm you appoint. What differs between firms is disbursements and how the work is handled, not the statutory fees.
Full breakdown by property price
The table assumes a purchase with a bank loan at 90% margin, property in Selangor, a citizen buyer who is not a first-time buyer.
| Property price | SPA fee | Loan fee | SST 8% | Transfer duty | Loan duty | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RM250,000 | RM3,125 | RM2,813 | RM475 | RM4,000 | RM1,125 | RM13,538 |
| RM500,000 | RM6,250 | RM5,625 | RM950 | RM9,000 | RM2,250 | RM26,075 |
| RM750,000 | RM8,750 | RM8,000 | RM1,340 | RM16,500 | RM3,375 | RM39,965 |
| RM1,000,000 | RM11,250 | RM10,250 | RM1,720 | RM24,000 | RM4,500 | RM53,720 |
| RM1,500,000 | RM16,250 | RM14,750 | RM2,480 | RM44,000 | RM6,750 | RM86,230 |
The legal fee scale
The same scale applies to the sale and purchase fee and to the loan agreement fee, each calculated on its own amount.
| Value band | Rate |
|---|---|
| First RM500,000 | 1.25% |
| Next RM7,000,000 | 1.00% |
| Next RM7,000,000 | 0.70% |
| Next RM10,000,000 | 0.60% |
| Above RM25,000,000 | negotiable, not less than 0.50% |
The transfer stamp duty scale
| Value band | Rate |
|---|---|
| First RM100,000 | 1% |
| RM100,001 to RM500,000 | 2% |
| RM500,001 to RM1,000,000 | 3% |
| Above RM1,000,000 | 4% |
What changes your figure
Four things affect the final total most: whether you use a loan and at what margin, whether you qualify for the first-time buyer stamp duty exemption, the state where the property is located because registration fees differ, and whether you are a citizen.
Our calculator accounts for all four and shows the statutory reference for each line.
Frequently asked questions
Why are there two different legal fees?
The sale and purchase agreement and the loan documentation are separate matters. The first is calculated on the property price, the second on the loan amount.
Are conveyancing fees negotiable?
Fees are set by statute under the Solicitors Remuneration Order 2023. They are not a price set by the firm.
What are disbursements?
Actual costs paid out on your behalf, such as official land searches, bankruptcy searches, registration fees, delivery and printing. They are separate from legal fees.
Why is service tax charged?
Service tax at 8% applies to legal services since 1 March 2024, under the Service Tax Act 2018.
I am buying with cash, how much do I save?
You avoid the legal fee for loan documentation, the loan agreement stamp duty, and the charge registration fee. Depending on the price this can be several thousand ringgit.
Is there a stamp duty exemption for first-time buyers?
There is an exemption for first-time buyers subject to a price cap and conditions in force. Eligibility needs to be checked against your circumstances at the time of the transaction.
When is this payable?
Legal fees and stamp duty are normally paid early in the matter, after the sale and purchase agreement is signed. They are not paid at handover.
Ready to start your property matter?
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