Malaysia property legal fees: the SRO scale

A friend’s legal-fee quote may look different from yours, even for a home at a similar price. Before wondering why, look at what each quote includes. In Peninsular Malaysia, the Solicitors’ Remuneration Order 2023 (SRO 2023) sets the applicable fee scales, and the transaction decides which table applies. The written breakdown should show the fee base, work, permitted discount, tax and disbursements.

Getting ready to compare legal-fee quotes? Send Jacky 1) the project or property and 2) whether you are paying cash or using a loan. He can help you prepare questions for an itemised quote from your solicitor. Prepare quote questions →

When does the sale and transfer use Table A?

If a legal-fee quote looks high, look at the fee base, which may be the consideration or adjudicated value under the SRO. For example, at a RM1.5 million base, RM6,250 applies to the first RM500,000 and RM10,000 to the next RM1 million. That gives RM16,250 before any permitted discount, service tax or disbursements.

If the developer sale is under HDA, where does Table B fit?

A sale governed by the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act uses Table B, a reduced scale compared with Table A. For a base above RM1 million, the prescribed fee is 50% of the Table A fee. Current Malaysian Bar guidance says a Table B sale-and-transfer fee cannot be discounted. Related financing documents for an HDA property also use the applicable Table B schedule and do not allow the ordinary Table A discount. Ask your lawyer whether the project and documents fall within HDA.

How do loan fees and discounts fit in?

Loan or financing documentation is a separate engagement, calculated under the Third Schedule on the secured amount. Under Table A, a solicitor may allow up to a 25% discount on sale-and-transfer or financing fees. Table B HDA matters do not allow a discount. A “free legal fee” promotion may still leave stamp duty, disbursements, registration, consent work or some documents outside the offer.

What should your written quote spell out?

• SPA drafting/attendance and transfer or assignment work within the applicable scale.
• Financing documents if you borrow.
• State-consent or other applications, if needed.
• Disbursements such as searches, registration, courier, land-office charges and certified copies.
• Applicable service tax and stamp duty, shown separately from the professional fee.

When the written quotes arrive, compare the same transaction type, fee base, table, discount and work scope line by line. Fees for a resale can differ from a developer sale even at the same price. The Malaysian Bar’s SRO 2023 and 2026 discount clarification are the primary references.

When you compare firms, compare the same work

Put the scope beside each quote: does it include both the SPA and transfer, loan documents, consent, tax and disbursements? Ask whether extra work is billed separately. Legal fees are separate from stamp duty; see the stamp-duty guide. This guide covers Peninsular Malaysia. Ask a local practitioner about Sabah or Sarawak.

General information checked 23 October 2026. The SRO and the facts of your transaction determine the final quote. This is not legal advice.