The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac), together with the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT), is undertaking a comprehensive review of the planning guidelines for Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) to ensure better consumer protection and industry regulation.

Deputy Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan said the revised guidelines will incorporate stakeholder input and introduce a mechanism for monitoring service quality in the STRA sector, which includes short-term stays in residential properties like apartments and condominiums.

“The guidelines will cover aspects such as permissible property types, registration and licensing, safety requirements, duration limits, and enforcement measures,” he said, noting that regulation ultimately lies with state governments and local authorities.

The Penang government and Petaling Jaya City Council were cited as proactive examples in STRA regulation.

The move follows mounting concerns raised by industry groups. On June 3, Malaysian Budget and Business Hotel Association president Dr Sri Ganesh Michiel highlighted safety, tax evasion, unfair competition, and consumer protection issues linked to unregulated STRA platforms and sales via online travel agencies and social media.

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