These information pages can help you get started in learning about some of the laws and registration requirements that may apply to your experiences on Airbnb. These pages include summaries of some of the rules that may apply to different sorts of activities, and contain links to government resources that you may find helpful.

Please understand that these information pages are not comprehensive, and are not legal advice. If you are unsure about how local laws or this information may apply to you or your Experience, we encourage you to check with official sources or seek legal advice.

Please note that we don’t update this information in real time, so you should confirm that the laws or procedures have not changed recently.*

Could I be a business? When am I likely to be considered to be carrying on a business?

In Malaysia, you are generally considered to be carrying on a business if you carry out any form of trade, commerce, craftsmanship, calling, profession, or other activity carried on for remuneration. Presently, there are no express laws which designate what degree of “doing business” is required before you are deemed to be doing business in Malaysia. However, you will generally be considered as carrying on business so long as you derive income from the selling of goods or provision of services for example, professional or vocational services (e.g. chef, driver, instructor, tour guide).

Are there any registration requirements for businesses in Malaysia?

Yes. You will be required to register your business with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (“CCM”) before carrying on business in Malaysia. There is potential criminal liability (such as financial penalties and/or imprisonment) for carrying on business under a business name without being registered in respect of that name.

Additionally, failure to register may also render contractual agreements unenforceable. There are certain exceptions to this requirement such as:

• when you are a sole proprietor carrying on a business under only your full name in your identity card or passport (e.g. Mr Tan Ah Teck must register if he does business under "Tan Ah Teck Adventures" but not if he does business under “Tan Ah Teck”);
• if the business is a firm of 2 or more individuals carrying on business only in the full name of all the individuals; or
• you are carrying on business in the name of a company or entity that has already been registered with CCM.

You are able to register as a business in various vehicles, such as:

• sole proprietorships;
• partnerships;
• limited liability partnerships;
• company limited by shares;
• company limited by guarantee; or
• an unlimited company.

A name search will have to be conducted to confirm that there is no business with an identical name. You should also be aware that if the proposed name is a trade mark of any product, the written consent of the owner of the trade mark owner will be required before that mark can be registered as a business name. Subsequently, an application form and a fee would have to be submitted to the CCM.

You can find out more information about registering your business on the CCM Website.