{"id":13622,"date":"2021-02-22T06:52:54","date_gmt":"2021-02-22T06:52:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/?p=13622"},"modified":"2026-04-29T04:53:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T20:53:11","slug":"7-situations-where-you-can-exert-your-rights-as-a-tenant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/7-situations-where-you-can-exert-your-rights-as-a-tenant\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Situations Where You Can Exert Your Rights As a Tenant"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/8-rules-to-keep-a-good-relationship-with-your-landlord\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">relationship between a tenant and a landlord<\/a> is very unique, it requires mutual agreement as well as good cooperation to ensure that any rental issues can be resolved efficiently. However important this may be, it does not mean that you should always agree and say yes to your landlord. Educate yourself on what situations you can exert your rights as a tenant and learn about tenant rights in Malaysia before renting.  <!-- SH:RIGHTSLINK -->For the full overview of <a href=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/your-rights-tenant-malaysia\/\">tenant rights in Malaysia<\/a>, see our complete guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are a tenant, know that there are many legal obligations that come with renting a property. Those obligations are set not only to protect your landlord and the unit but also yourself as a tenant and that\u2019s why it\u2019s always crucial for you to understand the clauses you\u2019re signing for and what it will mean to you as a tenant.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nobody wants to go through a bad rental experience. To help you understand more about your rights as a tenant, we have identified 7 situations where you can exert your rights as a tenant and learn to say no to your landlord.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Fixing a deal based on an oral agreement<\/li><li>Not asking permission before entering the property<\/li><li>Evicting you without a valid reason<\/li><li>Proper Notice Before The Eviction<\/li><li>Transfer of liabilities illegally<\/li><li>Return of the security deposit<\/li><li>Increase in rent without any notice<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7 Situations Where You Can Exert Your Rights as a Tenant in Malaysia<\/h2>\n\n<h2 id=\"h-fixing-a-deal-based-on-an-oral-agreement\"><strong>Fixing A Deal Based on An Oral Agreement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/handshake-pano_19966.jpg\" alt=\"Oral hand-shake deal cannot replace rental agreements on paper so know your tenant rights in Malaysia \" class=\"wp-image-13623\" width=\"605\" height=\"340\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>You can never fix a deal orally! You may want to trust your landlord and take their word for it, but a proper tenancy involves papers. Your landlord needs to provide you with a <a href=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/what-are-tenancy-agreements-p-s-there-is-a-virtual-agreement\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tenancy agreement <\/a>to sign. This piece of legal document acts as the contract that protects both you and your landlord in crucial ways. It also gives you the opportunity to thoroughly go through the lease terms and conditions your landlord sets and exert your rights as a tenant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to avoid being stuck in a situation where your potential landlord may try to scam you, try <a href=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/?utm_source=SPEEDHOME&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=tenant_rights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"SPEEDHOME (opens in a new tab)\">SPEEDHOME<\/a>. We only list the best-verified properties and you can rent with <a href=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/zero_deposit\/?utm_source=SPEEDHOME&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=tenant_rights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"ZERO DEPOSIT (opens in a new tab)\">ZERO DEPOSIT<\/a>! We provide a <a href=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/get-your-tenancy-agreement-signed-online-here\/?utm_source=SPEEDHOME&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=tenant_rights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Digital Tenancy Agreement (opens in a new tab)\">Digital Tenancy Agreement<\/a> that you can go through and sign anytime so that you rent your dream home, hassle-free.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-not-asking-permission-before-entering-the-property\"><strong>Not Asking Permission Before Entering The Property<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Ring-2x1-4839.jpg\" alt=\"Person ringing doorbell\" class=\"wp-image-13624\" width=\"609\" height=\"304\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Respecting your personal space is very important in a healthy tenant-landlord relationship. Although you are renting their property, landlords do not have the rights to show up unannounced.\u00a0This is a clear violation of your rights as a tenant and you should address this issue with your landlord immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you sign a tenancy agreement, go through their terms and conditions to find visitation hour requests. Your landlord will generally mention if and when they would like to check up on their property. You can also request them to add it to the lease agreement before signing. This protects you from awkward situations in the future as it can have legal repercussions for the landlord.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-evicting-you-without-a-valid-reason\"><strong>Evicting You Without A Valid Reason<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/istockphoto-1168618799-612x612-1.jpg\" alt=\"Man worried after receiving eviction notice and violation of tenant rights in Malaysia\" class=\"wp-image-13627\" width=\"585\" height=\"390\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, landlords may try to evict you without any solid reasons. In cases like this, it is generally because the landlord wants to use the space themselves. Although your landlord may be the lawful owner of the property, once they sign the tenancy agreement with you, they only have the right to evict you if you violate any of the terms in the rental agreement or conduct illegal activities on their property. If you find yourself in a situation where you believe your landlord is trying to evict you unfairly, you should exert your rights as a tenant and seek legal advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A rental agreement is legally binding and they cannot kick you out without valid reasons. So, if you are doing everything right and are not at fault, you have the right to say &#8220;No&#8221; and simply involve a higher authority to solve the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-proper-notice-before-the-eviction\"><strong>Proper Notice Before The Eviction<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/26388626-0-image-a-4_1585138496045.jpg\" alt=\"Eviction notice \" class=\"wp-image-13625\" width=\"610\" height=\"366\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In any case, if you were found to violate any of the terms set in the rental agreement that may warrant your landlord to proceed with eviction, your landlord has to provide you with proper notice at least a month before starting the eviction process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You have the right to say \u201cNo\u201d and ask for some time if the landlord asks you to vacate before giving a notice period. The landlord cannot tell you to vacate immediately or before you have secured an alternative. If your tenure is still valid, you have the legal grounds to continue staying in that property till it ends on the condition that you compensate the landlord for any <a href=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/what-to-do-when-a-tenant-overstays-can-i-evict\/?utm_source=SPEEDHOME&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=tenant_rights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"violations (opens in a new tab)\">violations<\/a> that you may have committed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-transfer-of-liabilities-illegally\"><strong>Transfer of Liabilities Illegally<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Crew_Pros_Home_Maintenance.jpg\" alt=\"Maintenance worker at home \" class=\"wp-image-13628\" width=\"609\" height=\"405\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/maintenance-fee-who-should-pay\/?utm_source=SPEEDHOME&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=tenant_rights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Maintenance costs (opens in a new tab)\">Maintenance costs<\/a> can be very high and as the lawful owner of the property, your landlord is responsible for clearing it. However, some landlords may try to make you pay for it by default.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is why having a written tenancy agreement is extremely important to point out overlooked liabilities like this. If the agreement says that maintenance and damage is not the tenant&#8217;s responsibility, then you have the right to fight against it and take the matter to the higher authorities. So before you rent a property, read through the tenancy agreement to identify these factors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-return-of-the-security-deposit\"><strong>Return Of The Security Deposit<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/how-to-invest-rm10000-malaysia.jpg\" alt=\"Person holding hundreds of Malaysia Ringgit\" class=\"wp-image-13629\" width=\"637\" height=\"333\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Your landlord will ask for a security deposit which equals 1 or&nbsp; 2 months of rent in advance before you enter the house. This deposit is supposed to be returned by the landlord once your tenancy is over.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The deposit serves as a protection against overdue rents and compensation for damage which cost a lot during your stay. In such a case, the landlord can deduct the necessary amount from your security deposit and return the remaining balance to you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, if you think that you have completed your tenancy without any faux records and the landlord denies to return the money, you have the right to take the matter to the court and fight for your rights!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, to avoid this hassle completely, you can opt for SPEEDHOME! <a href=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/zero_deposit\/?utm_source=SPEEDHOME&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=tenant_rights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Rent with ZERO DEPOSIT  (opens in a new tab)\">Rent with ZERO DEPOSIT <\/a>and forget about any traditional deposit fees!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-increase-in-rent-without-any-notice\"><strong>Increase In Rent Without Any Notice<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/portrait-young-businesswoman-arguing-mobile-phone-gesturing_23-2148087188.jpg\" alt=\"woman arguing over phone \" class=\"wp-image-13631\" width=\"603\" height=\"402\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>There is a <a href=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/you-should-spend-this-much-on-rent\/?utm_source=SPEEDHOME&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=tenant_rights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"formula (opens in a new tab)\">formula<\/a> that decides the increase of rent every year and if the landlord doesn\u2019t mention anything about the increase of rent in the agreement, you have the right to fight against it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The landlord cannot under any circumstances increase the rent and expect you to pay for it. There has to be a proper system and if the landlord doesn\u2019t work according to the system then, you have the right to say no and maintain your current rent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many more situations where you can simply say \u201cNo\u201d to your landlord and avoid creating any further problems in the tenancy. You should know that although you are living in someone else&#8217;s house you are paying rent. You have your <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"rights as a tenant (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/tenants-know-your-rights\/?utm_source=SPEEDHOME&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=tenant_rights\" target=\"_blank\">rights as a tenant<\/a> so don&#8217;t worry and fight for them!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are still unsure and want a guaranteed amazing rental experience, try SPEEDHOME! We ensure your rental experience is like living in a 6-star hotel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button aligncenter\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-very-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-background\" href=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/more\/tenant?utm_source=SPEEDHOME&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=tenant_rights\" style=\"background-color:#ffe100\"><strong>RENT WITH SPEEDHOME! <\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Related reading:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/renting-guide-malaysia-tenants\/\">complete renting guide for tenants<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related guides<\/h2>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/your-rights-tenant-malaysia\/\">tenant rights in Malaysia<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/when-the-landlord-decides-to-sell-the-rental-property\/\">Landlord is Selling The House I Rent!<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/5-stages-of-the-tenant-move-out-process\/\">5 Stages of the Tenant Move-Out Process<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>   <\/p>\n\n\n<!-- SH:TENANTMONEY:tenant_rights -->\n\n<p><strong>Next step:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/your-rights-tenant-malaysia\/\">See your tenant rights guide<\/a> \u2014 every situation where you can exert rights, what notice timelines protect you, and what holds in Tribunal.<\/p>\n\n\n<!-- SH:LIFECYCLE -->\n\n<p><em>Moving out next?<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/tenant-move-out-checklist-malaysia\/\">See the tenant move-out checklist<\/a> \u2014 the 30-day, 14-day, 7-day countdown for notice, photo evidence, and protecting your deposit at exit.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The relationship between a tenant and a landlord is very unique, it requires mutual agreement as well as good cooperation<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13632,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","footnotes":""},"categories":[11,3],"tags":[19,18,55,74],"class_list":["post-13622","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-for-tenants","category-landlord","tag-landlord-guide","tag-tenancy-agreement","tag-tenant-guide","tag-tenant-rights"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/1_h0wq9l.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"SPEEDHOME Editorial Team","author_link":"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/author\/speedhome-editorial\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13622","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13622"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13622\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":55580,"href":"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13622\/revisions\/55580"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13632"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13622"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13622"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/speedhome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13622"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}