A month in Kuala Lumpur

No reputable source on monthly rents or deposits in Kuala Lumpur was found, so this guide gives no rent figures. The taxes are known. The tourism tax is MYR 10 per room per night, so 30 nights in one flat advertised as a unit add MYR 300, and no cap on nights or long-stay exemption was found in the customs guides. Malaysian citizens and permanent residents do not pay it. When the booking runs through a platform, the platform charges the tax with the booking, and the host does not charge it again if the guest shows proof of payment at check-in.

Service tax at 8% applies only where the provider is registered, which is compulsory above MYR 500,000 of accommodation sales in 12 months, so a private host below that threshold does not charge it.

The customs department draws the line at services. An operator provides accommodation with services such as bookings, housekeeping, security, parking or lifts; a person who only lets premises and collects rent, without such services, is not an operator. Its own example is a condominium let to a foreign worker for 3 years, which falls outside the tourism tax. A month booked on a platform is a tourist stay, and the platform charges the tax.

Mont Kiara, a suburb of high-rise condominiums north-west of downtown with a large expatriate population, suits a month in a flat. Bangsar, a residential suburb about 4 km south-west of the centre, suits a month with restaurants within reach. KLCC and Bukit Bintang suit a month close to the malls and the monorail. KL Sentral and Brickfields suit a month without a car, with the KLIA Ekspres at the station: 28 minutes to the airport for MYR 55 (via GetCar). These choices are editorial.

UK travel advice says British visitors are normally allowed 90 days on arrival without a visa and that staying longer, or for other purposes, needs a visa before travel. The US State Department says a tourist visa is not normally required for stays under 90 days, and France's foreign ministry gives the same for French citizens in Peninsular Malaysia. The Immigration Department extends a social visit pass only on special grounds such as illness or an accident, with evidence and a return ticket.

Every arrival needs the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card, completed within 3 days before landing. UK travel advice warns that overstaying, even by a few days, can bring a fine, detention, deportation and a ban.

Airbnb calls a reservation of 28 nights or more a monthly stay: the first month is charged up front and released to the host 24 hours after check-in, later months are charged 10 days in advance, and the price is locked at booking. Its long-term cancellation policy applies to all of these stays and, as a rule, needs 30 days' notice of changes. A registered platform adds the tourism tax to each night.

In a condominium, parking depends on the building: ask whether a bay comes with the flat before booking. On the street, DBKL clamps a car for MYR 50 and tows it for MYR 100, plus MYR 100 a day at the depot on Jalan Tun Razak, which is open 24 hours; the release asks for the registration card and insurance note, which for a rental means the company (via GetCar). All tolls are cashless, so a Touch 'n Go card with a balance is needed for the PLUS expressways (via GetCar).

Comparing monthly prices without the tourism tax. A platform adds MYR 10 for every night.

Assuming a bay comes with the flat. Ask before booking, since parking depends on the building.

Planning past 90 days on a visa-free entry. Extensions are for special grounds only.

Forgetting the arrival card on a second trip. It is needed for every arrival.