PEPS: Remove 5% RPGT for property disposal from 6th year

PETALING JAYA (Oct 4): The Association of Valuers, Property Managers, Estate Agents and  Property Consultants in the Private Sector Malaysia (PEPS) is urging the government to review the current Real Estate Property Gains Tax (RPGT) so it can have a positive impact in stimulating  the country’s  housing market.

Stating its Budget 2020 wish list in a press release today, the association said property ownership from the 6th year onwards should no longer be deemed as speculative investment hence, the 5% RPGT on such property ownership among individual Malaysians or permanent residents should be withdrawn.

As for foreign individual owners and companies, the current RPGT of 10% for the property disposal from the sixth year onwards, should be reduced to 5%, the group said.

“The removal and reduction of the RPGT after the fifth year will indirectly stimulate the property market and encourage more buyers and investors to re-enter the property market and this will also assist to reduce the property overhang and help developers to reduce the supply of unsold units in the secondary market,” it said.

The association also hoped that Putrajaya will consider reducing the stamp duty rate for property transactions worth RM1 million and above to 3.5%, from the current rate of 4%.

To help more people own homes and to stimulate the market further, PEPS suggested that first time homebuyers of properties below RM500,000 be given 100% loan while the margin for the third  property onwards be increased to 80%. To ease lending eligibility, the government should allow more funds from the borrower’s EPF Account 2 to be withdrawn for the purchase of affordable homes.

The association also  proposed that the government set up a National Centralized Corporation on Affordable Housing to plan, coordinate and implement the government’s  blueprint and plans on affordable housing nationwide while working with state governments and developers on affordable housing matters.

The business model could be based on Singapore’s Housing Development Board.

“Existing agencies involved in affordable housing such as PR1MA could be absorbed under this new corporation,” it added.

To reduce the property overhang in the market, the association suggested a fast release mechanism of Bumiputera units to make the unsold units available in the open market.

PEPS also felt that there is a need to attract foreign buyers to ease the overhang. Hence it proposed that the government reduce the financial criteria required for foreigners to apply for the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) Visa Permit by lowering the liquid assets amount required.

State governments should also consider lowering the minimum threshold for foreigners to own properties in Malaysia, such as from RM1 million to RM800,000 in Kuala Lumpur and from RM2 million to RM1 million in Selangor.

PEPS also hoped to see the upcoming Budget 2020 offer more tax incentives and allowances to property developers or contractors who adopt the Industrialised Building System (IBS).

“At the moment only new IBS manufacturers or companies with pioneer status are given tax exemption and tax allowance,” it noted.