Kian Chuan Furniture director finds success with short-term rentals
Published on: Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Susan (centre) hands over the key to Khaliluddin and Nur Khalilah.
Kota Kinabalu: Riding on the popularity of short-term accommodation in Benoni Gardens, Papar, entrepreneur Howard Tay has expanded his service to The Palm Condominium in Kinarut.Tay, who is a director of Kian Chuan Furniture (KCF) in Papar, has purchased a total of 11 units in Tower A and B of Benoni Gardens, which he turned into a lucrative short-term rental business.
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He also managed another 14 units in Benoni Gardens.
Tay ventured into short-term accommodation business in 2019 with the first unit he bought in Benoni Garden Apartment Tower A.
“I was the first buyer who started renovation at Benoni Gardens.
“There was no security or management then. I had to manage everything on my own initially.”
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But gradually, his short-term accommodation which he lists on AirBnB, Booking.com and Agoda turned into a booming business that could fetch up to RM7,500 a month for a unit with an occupancy rate of 15 days per month.
“We have customers from Brunei, Sipitang and other districts who come stay in Benoni Gardens.
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“Some of our guests are attendees or participants of events in Papar.”
At RM250 a night, Tay’s short-term rental units offer kitchen and living room facilities.
With the success in Benoni Gardens, he decided to invest in The Palm Condominium kinarut owing to its close proximity to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA).
“I bought a unit at The Palm Condominium in 2020 and expects to commence the short-term rental service by year end,” he said, adding that he intends to acquire more units after testing the market in Kinarut.
Tay said that when receiving his keys from WSG Group managing director Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen here.
Meanwhile, siblings Muhammad Khaliluddin Hasnan, 28, and Nur Khalilah Hasnan,26, each bought a sea view unit at The Palm Condominium kinarut as they want to live near their parents in Putatan.
Khaliluddin, who works at the State Water Department in Lahad Datu, said he has heard positive reviews from friends who stay at the condominium.
“The condominium is close to Putatan and only 10 minutes away from Kota Kinabalu.
“It is also close to the shops outside, not to mention that the units are spacious.”
Khaliluddin said he returns to Kota Kinabalu weekly and stay at his parents’ house.
He said he will move into the new home with his fiancée, whom he will marry next year.
His sister, Nur Khalilah, said she has received good reviews from her colleagues regarding the condominium.
Besides, she said she could help keep an eye on her brother’s house when he is away with his unit just a few steps away.
The Palm Condominium offers resort style living at affordable prices. The newly-completed Tower B is 18-storey tall with 136 units and four penthouses, each with a built-up area of 1,180 square feet. Each unit has three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
An extra feature of the development is its wide corridors and a lobby on each floor where residents can enjoy the vast expanse of the South China Sea and greenery.
The Palm Condominium provides a wide range of facilities, including adult swimming pool, children pool, gymnasium, indoor badminton courts, outdoor basketball court, covered car park, 24-hour security, children’s playground and landscape garden.
Residents also enjoy various amenities right outside their doorstep, such as eateries, supermarkets, retail outlets, schools, mosque and resorts, making The Palm Condominium an ideal investment and residence.
The WSG Group is offering 10 per cent discount on the remaining units from now till September 30, 2022, in conjunction with the Malaysia Day celebration.
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