Hi Guys,
I am looking to rent a shoplot here in Penang with monthly rental of RM3k and I am told by the agent that I need to pay the following :

Advance rental rm3180 (inclusive 6% GST)
3 mth deposits + utilities rm14310 (refundable)
Agent fee rm3000
Agreement & stamping rm350
Misc rm55
Total rm20,895

Is it the norm for shop lot landlord to take 3 month deposit + utilities (RM14k) which is around 4.6 months of rental ?

Is it possible for a RM3k rental shop lot to only incur RM10k cost in total for the rental deposit/agent fees etc?

Thanks.

the agent fee should be the advance rental for the 1st month.

do confirm with your agent if right now you're paying 1 month advance rental + agent fee, does it mean you've already paid the rent for the first two months?

as for deposits it's normal for landlord to demand higher deposit for shoplots (2-3 months rental deposit is the norm) as shoplots can rack up huge charges on electricity.

if you'd wish to have lower utility deposit perhaps you could request to apply TNB under your own name (then again you'd need to pay the deposit to TNB).

the agent told me that agent fees is not in the rental.
If the electricity under my name then I can negotiate for lower deposits?

thats weird. in KL dont usually have such practice.

the practice is usually 1st months' rent is paid to agent as booking fee and that is treated as the 1st month's rental (meaning the landlord pays the agent's fee).

theoretically u can nego for lower deposits if TNB under ur name.

Usually in KL, deposit is only 2 months rental and utility deposit is under tenant's name so it's free. In shoplot, there's nothing to damage because it's empty unless you are doing major structural renovation. Furthermore, all your renovation is value adding to the property.

Definitely something fishy with the landlord & tenant for asking so much deposit