How rental yield works in Penang
Most Penang landlords leave 20–40% of potential income on the table — usually because of vacancy gaps, single-tenant whole-unit rental, or paying 15–20% to a part-time agent. Per-room rental near the Bayan Lepas industrial corridor (Sungai Ara, Batu Maung, Gelugor) consistently outperforms whole-unit rental because thousands of factory engineers and shift staff need affordable single-room accommodation.
The three numbers that decide your income
- Rooms: 4–6 room landed units are the sweet spot for Bayan Lepas room rental.
- Rent per room: RM600–RM900 depending on furnishing & distance to factories.
- Occupancy: Self-managed averages 60–70%. MyRoom's managed portfolio averaged 85% (January–June 2026); 95%+ is our target for suitable mature properties, not a historical average.
Why a flat 15% beats a 20–30% agent
MyRoom charges a flat 15% on collected rent — below the local industry standard. We only earn when your rooms are filled, so our incentive is your occupancy. Standard management terms are flexible (renovation-funded or specialised arrangements may have separate agreed terms), RM40 cleaning (vs RM60 market). Typical initial placement target: 7–21 days for suitable rooms, subject to pricing, condition and market demand — a target, not a contractual guarantee.