You found a unit you love. The only problem: it is priced under the minimum a foreigner is allowed to buy at in that state. So you ask the obvious question — is there a way to buy it anyway?
Here’s my read: as a rule, no. The floor is not a soft guideline you can talk your way past. It is a hard gate.
Why the floor is a wall, not a suggestion
The minimum price is tied to state consent (the government’s yes that lets a foreigner’s name onto the title). Buy below the floor and the state can simply refuse consent. No consent means your name cannot go on the title — so even if you pay, you do not truly own it. That is why the floor stops most below-floor deals before they start.
The floor itself is set per state and moves over time — my minimum price guide has the current floor for each state. Check it against the unit before you fall in love with the price.
The “workarounds” people ask about — and the honest answer
- Under-declaring the price to look like it clears the floor: don’t. That is a false declaration, it is illegal, and it can sink the whole deal and worse.
- Special schemes or zones (for example certain MM2H arrangements, designated zones, or specific projects): a few carve-outs exist, but they are narrow, they vary by state, and they come with their own conditions. They are the exception, not a general back door.
- Buying in a local’s name and holding it informally: this is not ownership — it is trust and risk, and it can go very wrong.
If you think your case might fall under a real exception, that is worth checking properly rather than guessing. message me the state and the unit and I’ll tell you if there’s a legitimate path.
The one line to remember: below the floor, the safe answer is no — and the “clever” ways around it are how people lose money, not save it.
Last verified: August 2026. This is my commentary, not tax, legal, or investment advice — confirm the current floor and any exception for your state with the relevant authority or your lawyer before acting.
Full picture: Minimum Property Price for Foreigners in Malaysia — by state.
Yong Wing How · Vivahomes Realty Sdn Bhd · REN 77674 · E(1)1670