Buying Guide
Buying with a spouse or family member is often what makes a first home affordable. Two incomes make the loan easier, but two names also change how the stamp duty exemption, EPF and ownership work. Here is what to know before you put both names down.
Quick answer. A joint loan lets the bank count both incomes, and each of you can withdraw from your own EPF Akaun Sejahtera. The first-home stamp duty exemption looks at each buyer separately — if one of you has owned a home before, it may cover only the other’s share. And each owner’s share passes through their own estate, so write a will.
The exemption covers a first residential home up to RM500,000, assessed on market value, and you will sign a statutory declaration. The orders apply it to each purchaser or co-purchaser who is a Malaysian citizen and has never owned a residential property — alone or jointly, and including one inherited or received as a gift. SOHO and serviced apartments do not qualify.
Lawyers read this as exempting the share of each buyer who qualifies. If both of you are first-time buyers, the whole purchase can be exempt; if one has owned a home before, expect the exemption to cover only the other’s share. 18 Ipoh projects on my list start at RM500,000 or less — the saving on each is worked out in First Home Buyer Incentives 2026.
EPF allows a joint withdrawal with your spouse or a family member who is buying with you. Each of you withdraws from your own Akaun Sejahtera, within the same overall limit for the house.
Each co-owner holds a share recorded on the title. When one dies, that share goes through their estate — by will, or by the distribution law if there is no will — and does not pass to the other owner automatically. Two simple protections: loan insurance on both borrowers (see MRTA vs MLTA), and a will for each of you. Buying with parents or siblings? Agree in writing who pays what and what happens if one of you wants to sell.
Sources: Stamp Duty (Exemption) Orders for first residential homes (for example P.U.(A) 53/2021 and the loan instrument order) and law-firm commentary on co-purchasers; EPF “Buy House Withdrawal”; LPPSA 2026 FAQ; SJKP scheme features. Confirm your own position with your lawyer and bank. General information, not legal or financial advice.
Compiled and reviewed by MaSk Chan, REN 49335 · IQI Global.
Yes. Both names go on the SPA and the title, and you can apply for the loan jointly so the bank looks at both incomes. EPF lets each of you withdraw from your own Akaun Sejahtera for the same house, and SJKP and LPPSA both accept joint applications.
The exemption orders treat each purchaser and co-purchaser separately: a Malaysian citizen who has never owned a residential property, whether alone or jointly, including by inheritance or gift. Lawyers read this as exempting the share of each buyer who qualifies — so if one of you has owned a home before, the exemption may cover only the other’s share. Confirm with your lawyer before you sign.
Usually, because the bank assesses your combined income against your combined commitments. Both of you become fully responsible for the whole loan, not just half, and both credit records are checked.
Each co-owner holds a share recorded on the title. When one dies, that share passes through their estate — under their will, or under the distribution law if there is none — not automatically to the other owner. Loan insurance on both borrowers and a will for each of you avoid most of the trouble.
Yes. Banks lend jointly to family members, and EPF allows a joint withdrawal with a family member who is buying with you. Agree in writing who pays what and what happens if one of you wants to sell.