Selangor to limit operations of short-term rentals such as Airbnb to six months per year starting in 2026.
- Erik & Aya
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
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Selangor to limit short-term rentals such as Airbnb to six months per year starting in 2026.
The Selangor state government has announced plans to impose restrictions on Airbnb and other short-term rental services within the state. Starting January 2026, short-term rentals will be capped at a maximum of 180 nights per year, and operators wishing to exceed this limit will be required to apply for planning permission.
This measure comes in response to concerns—particularly from the hotel industry—that Airbnb is able to operate without being bound by the same regulations, leading to what they describe as unfair competition. Selangor’s State Executive Councillor (Exco) for Local Government, Tourism, and Culture, Datuk Ng Sze Han, explained that “hotels pay various fees, whereas Airbnb is not restricted by the law,” highlighting the need to introduce a system under which operators must apply for permission when necessary.
The state government stresses that the restriction is not intended to burden short-term rental operators, but is instead an appropriate measure focused on customer safety and operational management. In addition, a whitelist system for operators will be introduced. Under this system, operators will be registered with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), enabling the state government to monitor their operations and ensure the proper payment of relevant taxes and fees.
However, the specific implementation will be determined based on the federal government’s guidelines for short-term stays. The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) is expected to announce policies and draft guidelines regarding this matter next month.
The Selangor state government also plans to introduce a sustainability fee for all accommodations starting next year. The fee will vary depending on the type of establishment: RM7 for five-star hotels, RM5 for four-star hotels, RM3 for three-star hotels, and RM2 for homestays and Airbnb units. Ng noted that this tax is not new, as it has already been implemented in other states across Malaysia.
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📚 Sources World of Buzz-"Selangor Govt to Only Allow Airbnb Accommodations to Operate for 6 Months Annually Starting 2026"November 23, 2025 Selangor Govt to Only Allow Airbnb Accommodations to Operate for 6 Months Annually Starting 2026 - WORLD OF BUZZ
