Iqbal, 31, shares the room in Damansara Perdana with foreign workers because the RM350 rental, which provides him common facilities, a cupboard and a single-bed, is all he can afford.
He told FMT the rental for most of the rooms and homes near his workplace is too expensive, given he only earns RM2,800 a month.
“In terms of cleanliness, it is dirty and smelly. You can’t even cook in the kitchen because it is dirty, but what can I do, this is the only choice I have,” he said
Iqbal is one of many young people in the Klang Valley who have to make do with “store room-like” conditions.
Nurul Aqilah Mohd Hanafi, 24, earns about RM2,100 a month and shares a room in SS15 with four others.
“When you start working, it’s difficult to rent a house. I can only afford to rent a room for RM180 a month. We’re living like sardines with so many in one room.”
She said the situation is not ideal but she has other expenses including meals, tolls and a car instalment.
Mohamad Azizul Rahman, 28, said he can only afford to rent a room as even a deposit to rent a house is out of his reach.
“To rent a house is too expensive, it’s crazy. A house in Kuala Lumpur will cost at least RM1,200 to rent and you have to give a three- or four-month deposit. That means even before setting foot in the house, you need RM4,000 to RM5,000. A room will only cost you RM450 a month.”
The administrative assistant said it is not easy to find housemates because not everyone has the same discipline to keep the house clean.
A married couple, who only wanted to be known as Mirul and Sofea, said they had to send their newborn back to their village to be looked after by Mirul’s parents in Melaka.
They said they cannot afford to rent a house, let alone buy one, and so they rent a room in Kuala Lumpur.
“When we miss our child, perhaps once in two months, we return to our village in Melaka,” said Mirul.
The couple, who live in Ara Damansara, said they hope the government will monitor rental rates so that landlords cannot charge too much and help families like them to own a home.
Aisyah Amir, 25, said she has decided to continue living with her parents in Shah Alam, which is not far from her office in Kuala Lumpur.
“I don’t think I can afford to rent a house close to my office because the rent would be very expensive,” she said, adding however that she has to endure traffic jams to commute to work every day.