Rental & Investment
Buying a Tenanted Unit at Twin Tower: Pros & Checklist
Quick answer
Buying a tenanted unit at Twin Tower Residence gives you rent from completion, a verified rent to calculate yield, and usually a furnished unit. Before signing, review the stamped tenancy agreement, payment history and deposits, and make sure the SPA states the sale is subject to the tenancy, with deposits transferred and rent apportioned.
In this guide
- Key takeaways
- What is a tenanted unit?
- Why buy a tenanted unit at Twin Tower?
- What are the risks of buying with a tenant in place?
- How are the deposit and rent handled at completion?
- Checklist: what to review before you sign
- What does the timeline look like?
- Scenarios: is a tenanted unit right for you?
- Do you need to renegotiate the tenancy?
- Conclusion
- Sources
A tenanted unit for sale in JB comes with something most listings do not: a tenant already paying rent. At Twin Tower Residence, where rental demand is driven by the Bukit Chagar RTS Link station next door and the walk to the JB CIQ, you will regularly see units offered “with tenancy”. This guide explains the advantages of buying a tenanted Twin Tower unit, the risks to manage, how the deposit and rent are handled at completion, and a step-by-step checklist to take to your lawyer.
Key takeaways
- A tenanted unit can give you rental income from the day of completion — no furnishing, advertising or vacancy period.
- The existing rent lets you check the yield against real numbers rather than estimates.
- The sale and purchase agreement (SPA) should state clearly that the sale is subject to the tenancy, and how the tenant’s deposits and the rent are transferred or apportioned.
- Always review the stamped tenancy agreement, payment records and the unit’s condition before signing.
- If you want to live in the unit, check the tenancy end date and any renewal option first.
What is a tenanted unit?
A tenanted unit is a property sold while a tenant is living in it under a tenancy agreement. The buyer usually takes over as landlord after completion, collecting the rent and holding the tenant’s deposits until the tenancy ends. The alternative is a sale with vacant possession, where the seller hands over an empty unit.
Whether a tenancy carries over to a new owner, and on what terms, is something to settle clearly in the SPA. Practice and legal commentary vary on what happens if the agreement is silent, so do not rely on assumptions — ask your lawyer to draft the SPA to cover the tenancy, the deposits and the rent explicitly.
Why buy a tenanted unit at Twin Tower?
1. Income from day one
The most obvious benefit: no vacancy. A typical new owner of an empty unit spends weeks furnishing, photographing, advertising and screening tenants. With a tenanted unit, rent continues from completion.
2. Real numbers, not estimates
You can calculate the yield from the actual rent being paid. For example, if a 2-bedroom (882 sq ft) is offered at RM1,050,000 with a tenant paying RM3,200 a month:
- Annual rent: RM3,200 × 12 = RM38,400
- Gross yield: RM38,400 ÷ RM1,050,000 = 0.0366 → 3.66%
Those figures sit within the October–November 2026 asking ranges seen on portals (RM1.00m–1.15m for the 2-bedroom, RM3,000–3,500 rent). Use the actual figures for any unit you consider; our rental yield guide shows how to work out net yield too.
3. Furnishing is usually in place
Most rented units at Twin Tower are furnished. If the furniture and appliances are included in the sale, you save the cost and time of setting up — but check the inventory list carefully.
4. A proven rental track record
A tenant who pays on time and has renewed before is valuable. It suggests the unit is priced right for the market and that the layout suits local demand. At Twin Tower, the most common rented layout is the 2-bedroom, which accounted for about 21 of 40 whole-unit rental listings we reviewed on Mudah in October 2026.
5. Location that keeps tenants coming
Twin Tower Residence is a completed (2023), freehold serviced residence beside the Bukit Chagar RTS station. The RTS Link to Woodlands North takes about five minutes and is now expected to start passenger service in February 2027. When your tenant eventually leaves, you are re-letting into one of JB’s most connected addresses.
What are the risks of buying with a tenant in place?
Buying tenanted is not risk-free. The good news is that each risk can be checked before you sign.
| Risk | What it means | How to manage it |
|---|---|---|
| Rent below market | An old tenancy may be at a lower rent than current asking levels | Compare with current asking rents; check when the tenancy expires or has a rent review |
| Unclear deposits | Confusion over who holds the tenant’s security and utility deposits | SPA should require the seller to transfer the deposits to you, or credit them against the price |
| Rent arrears | Tenant owes the seller money | Ask for the payment record; settle arrears between seller and tenant before completion |
| Limited inspection | You may see the unit only once, with someone’s belongings in it | Arrange a proper viewing; ask for recent photos and the inventory list |
| Delayed own use | You cannot move in until the tenancy ends | Check the end date, renewal options and early-termination clauses |
| Unstamped or informal agreement | Weak documentation makes enforcement harder | Ask for the stamped tenancy agreement and stamp certificate |
How are the deposit and rent handled at completion?
In a typical tenanted sale, three things need to be settled, and your lawyer should write each into the SPA:
- The tenant’s deposits. Under a common “2+1” structure, the tenant has paid two months’ rent as a security deposit and usually a utility deposit of around half a month’s rent. These are refundable to the tenant at the end of the tenancy. The SPA should state that the seller transfers these deposits to you at completion, or that the amount is deducted from the price. For a RM3,200 tenancy that could be RM6,400 + RM1,600 = RM8,000.
- Rent apportionment. Rent for the month of completion is usually split: the seller keeps rent up to the completion date and you receive it after. Example: completion on the 21st of a 30-day month, rent RM3,200. Daily rent = RM3,200 ÷ 30 = RM106.67. Your share for days 21–30 (10 days) = about RM1,067.
- Notice to the tenant. The tenant should receive a written notice of the change of landlord (sometimes called an attornment notice) with your bank details, signed by both seller and buyer, so rent goes to the right person from completion.
Checklist: what to review before you sign
Documents
- The tenancy agreement — names of tenants, rent, start and end dates, renewal option, rent review clause, early termination clause, permitted occupants.
- Stamp certificate for the tenancy agreement.
- Rent payment record for the last 6–12 months.
- Receipts or records of the deposits held.
- Latest maintenance fee and sinking fund statement, quit rent and assessment receipts — to confirm there are no outstanding charges.
- Inventory list of furniture and appliances included.
The unit
- Arrange a viewing with the tenant’s agreement and inspect walls, ceilings, bathrooms, windows and air-conditioners.
- Check that the furnishing matches the inventory list.
- Ask about any repairs the tenant has requested that are still outstanding.
The SPA
- Sale is expressly subject to the existing tenancy.
- Deposits transferred to the buyer (or credited).
- Rent apportioned at completion.
- Seller to settle any arrears and outstanding building charges before completion.
- Notice of change of landlord to be signed and delivered.
Our viewing checklist covers the physical inspection in more detail, and our step-by-step buying guide explains the overall subsale process.
What does the timeline look like?
A tenanted subsale follows the same broad steps as any subsale, with a few extra tasks for the tenancy. Exact timings depend on your loan, any consents required and the SPA terms, so treat this as an outline and confirm with your lawyer.
| Stage | What happens | Tenancy-specific tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Offer | Offer letter signed with an earnest deposit | Ask for the tenancy agreement, rent record and deposit details |
| Due diligence | Lawyer runs searches; you apply for a loan | Lawyer reviews the tenancy; bank valuer inspects with tenant’s cooperation |
| SPA signing | Balance deposit paid; SPA signed | SPA states sale is subject to tenancy, deposit transfer and rent apportionment |
| Completion | Balance price paid; ownership transferred | Deposits handed over; rent apportioned; notice to tenant; handover pack |
| After completion | You are the landlord | Introduce yourself to the tenant; set up rent collection and repair contacts |
Scenarios: is a tenanted unit right for you?
If you are a pure investor
A tenanted unit is often the most efficient choice. You avoid the vacancy period and get a verified rent. Focus on whether the rent is close to market and how long the tenancy has left.
If you are a Singapore buyer planning to move in after the RTS opens
Look at the end date. A tenancy that expires around the time you are ready to move in can be ideal: it carries the property while you wait. If the dates do not line up, discuss options with the seller and tenant before signing — never assume a tenant will leave early.
If you are a first-time investor
A good tenant is a big advantage when you are new to being a landlord. Read the existing agreement carefully so you understand your obligations, such as repairs and deposit refunds.
Do you need to renegotiate the tenancy?
Usually not immediately. The existing agreement continues on its terms if the SPA is made subject to it. When the tenancy approaches its end, you can agree renewal terms with the tenant — including rent — or seek a new tenant. Plan ahead: start the conversation two to three months before expiry, compare current asking rents in our rent guide, and remember that keeping a good tenant usually beats a vacancy.
Looking for a Twin Tower unit that already has a tenant, or for one with vacant possession? WhatsApp Darren and we will share available units with their current rent, tenancy dates and floor plans. You can also browse our listings.
Conclusion
Buying a tenanted unit at Twin Tower Residence can give you rent from day one, real numbers to judge the yield, and often a furnished unit with a proven track record — all in a completed, freehold building beside the Bukit Chagar RTS station. The key is paperwork: review the stamped tenancy, payment history and deposits, and make sure your SPA states the sale is subject to the tenancy with deposits transferred and rent apportioned. Do that, and a tenanted unit can be one of the simplest ways to start earning from JB’s most connected address.
Sources
- Speedhome – What Is 2+1 Deposit in Malaysia?
- Speedhome – Property is being sold: does the new owner have to honour my tenancy?
- PropCashflow – Landlord selling a tenanted property in Malaysia
- LTA – RTS Link service targeted for February 2027 (2 Oct 2026)
- Mothership – RTS Link delay explainer (Oct 2026)
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a home loan for a tenanted Twin Tower unit?
Yes, banks finance tenanted units in the same way as vacant ones, based on your own eligibility. The bank's valuer will still need access to inspect the unit, so arrange this with the seller and tenant. Some banks may also take the existing tenancy into account; ask your banker what documents they need.
Can the new owner raise the rent straight away?
Generally not during the fixed term, unless the existing tenancy agreement contains a rent review clause. The tenancy usually continues on its current terms until it ends. When it approaches expiry, the new owner can propose renewal at a new rent or find another tenant, ideally starting the discussion two to three months ahead.
What if I want vacant possession instead?
Negotiate it as a term of the sale. The seller would need to agree an end date with the tenant, which may mean waiting for the tenancy to expire or reaching a mutual early surrender. Never assume a tenant will leave early; make vacant possession a written condition in the SPA if you need it.
Who pays the stamp duty on the existing tenancy agreement?
The existing agreement should already have been stamped when it was signed; who paid depends on its terms, though it is commonly the tenant. Ask the seller for the stamp certificate. If you later sign a new or renewed tenancy, it will need to be stamped again under the rates applying at that time.
Is a tenanted unit cheaper than a vacant one?
Not necessarily. Pricing depends on the specific unit, its condition, the rent being paid and the time left on the tenancy. Some buyers value instant income and pay a fair market price; others prefer vacant possession for own use. Compare the asking price with similar units and look at the full numbers before deciding.
