KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 — As rental costs rise and hefty deposits put traditional housing further out of reach, some Malaysians are choosing an unlikely alternative: living in hotels for months, or even years.

For some, hotel living offers a way to avoid large upfront rental costs and long-term tenancy agreements. For others, it provides flexibility and convenience that conventional renting cannot match.

For 38-year-old legal consultant Fareez, who requested that only his first name be used, the decision was straightforward.

He moved into Swing & Pillows Danau Kota, where he paid RM1,150 a month and stayed for a year.

The biggest draw was simple: no deposit.

“That’s the first reason. I was living alone and didn’t need a large space. Then I saw an advertisement for the hotel on social media and went for it,” he said.

Like many renters, Fareez found the upfront costs of securing a home increasingly difficult to justify.

He said he had previously rented a house and was frustrated by unexpected expenses, particularly fluctuating utility bills.

At the hotel, his monthly payment covered wifi, electricity and water, making it easier to manage his finances.

Unlike room rentals that often involve sharing common spaces with strangers, Fareez said the hotel provided a self-contained living arrangement without the need for long-term commitments.

“One of the things I enjoy most is having access to the lounge area. It’s a comfortable space where I can relax, unwind and spend my free time without having to leave the property.