Dual-Key Condos Explained: The Maxim The Address Type C (865 sq ft)
A dual-key unit is two self-contained living spaces under a single strata title, each with its own entrance, living area, bedroom and bathroom. At Maxim The Address in Johor Bahru, that is the 865 sq ft Type C, priced from RM861,000. It lets one owner house two households under one title, for example a parent and a grown-up child, or live in one half and let the other as a separate tenancy. For multigenerational buyers and anyone who wants flexibility it is the most adaptable layout in the development, and this guide explains exactly how it works, what it costs relative to the other unit types, and who should and should not choose it.
Key takeaways
- One title, one loan, one set of purchase costs, but two lockable homes inside: a main unit and a compact studio-style sub-unit sharing a private foyer.
- Type C is 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 865 sq ft, from RM861,000 (about RM995 psf), with two car park bays and three air-conditioning units included.
- Three ways to use it: rent both halves, live in one and rent the other, or let the whole unit to a single household as a standard three-bedroom.
- At RM861,000 it clears the RM600,000 foreigner threshold in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, so Singaporean and other foreign buyers are eligible (levy and state consent apply).
- The trade-off is a higher entry price than the smaller units, a thinner resale pool than the Type A, and the work of managing two tenancies.
How a dual-key unit works
From the corridor you enter a small private foyer. Off that foyer are two separate front doors. Behind one is the main unit, with its own living and dining area, kitchen, bedrooms and bathroom. Behind the other is the sub-unit, a self-contained studio with its own living space, sleeping area, bathroom and usually a kitchenette. The two halves do not connect internally, so each can be locked and occupied independently, yet the whole thing sits on one strata title with one owner, one loan and one monthly maintenance bill.
That structure is what makes the layout different from simply renting out a spare room. A room tenant shares your kitchen, bathroom and front door. A dual-key occupant has their own, so both households keep their privacy.
Three ways to use the Type C
| Strategy | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Rent both | Two separate tenancies from one purchase and one set of buying costs | Owners who want flexibility and can manage two tenancies |
| Live in one, rent the other | Occupy the main unit and let the studio as a separate tenancy | Owner-occupiers who want a tenant next door without sharing a front door |
| House family | Parents in one half, adult children in the other, independent but under one roof | Multigenerational households who want privacy without a second purchase |
| Single household | Let or occupy the whole unit as a conventional three-bedroom | Owners who want the option value without managing two tenancies today |
The fourth row matters more than it looks. Because the Type C can always fall back to being an ordinary three-bedroom, choosing it does not lock you into the dual-key strategy. It gives you the option, which is why it appeals to buyers who are not yet sure whether they will live in Johor Bahru, rent out, or both.
What to check before you commit
If you plan to let one or both halves, ask for current asking rents for comparable studios and three-bedroom units nearby, test your numbers with a lower rent and a vacancy buffer, and weigh the extra work of managing two tenancies. No return is promised. See the Maxim The Address price list for current SPA prices, and our investment guide for what supports demand and the risks to weigh.
Who rents a dual-key in Johor Bahru
The tenant profile for the studio half is different from the tenant profile for the main unit, and that is the point. The studio suits a single professional or a couple, typically someone commuting across the Causeway or working in the JB city centre, who wants a self-contained space at a studio price. The main unit suits a small family or a pair of sharers who want two bedrooms and a full kitchen. Our guide on commuting from Maxim The Address to Singapore covers the cross-border commute options.
Pros and cons
Pros: two separate homes under one title; the option to live in one half and let the other; strong multigenerational appeal; open to foreign buyers; only one set of legal fees, stamp duty and loan costs; a built-in fallback to a standard three-bedroom.
Cons: a higher absolute price than the smaller units; a thinner resale pool than the Type A because dual-key buyers are a narrower group; two tenancies mean more administration, more wear and more turnover; the sub-unit is compact and suits singles or couples rather than families.
Financing, costs and paperwork
Because the Type C is one strata parcel, you apply for one housing loan, pay one set of legal fees and stamp duty, and receive one assessment and quit rent bill. The maintenance charge is calculated on the whole parcel’s share units, not per half, so it does not double because you have two tenants. What does change is your income tax position if you rent both halves: rental income from each tenancy is declared, and the usual deductions for interest, maintenance and repairs apply. Foreign buyers should factor in the RM50,000 levy and the state consent process; our foreigner eligibility guide walks through both, and the cost-to-buy breakdown lists every upfront fee.
Managing two tenancies without it becoming a second job
The practical objection to dual-key is administration. Two tenants means two agreements, two deposits, two utility accounts to split and two people who can call you at midnight. The solutions are straightforward: use separate sub-meters or a fixed utility contribution in each agreement so bills never become a dispute; stagger the two tenancy start dates so both leases do not end in the same month; and, if you are overseas or simply busy, use a rental management service. We cover the options and what they cost in our rental management guide. Short-term letting depends on the building’s house rules and the local council, so do not assume it is allowed; see is Airbnb legal at Maxim The Address.
Who should choose the Type C, and who should not
Choose the Type C if you want two separate tenancies under one title, want to live in one half and let the other, or are a family that wants independence under one title. Choose something else if you want the cheapest possible entry price, the simplest single tenancy, or the widest resale audience; the Type A or Type B will serve you better on those counts. Our comparison of which Maxim The Address unit to buy sets all the layouts side by side.
Frequently asked questions
What is a dual-key unit?
Two self-contained homes under one strata title, each with its own entrance, living area, bedroom and bathroom, so you can rent both halves, or live in one and rent the other.
Which Maxim The Address unit is dual-key?
The Type C: 865 sq ft, 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, from RM861,000, with two car park bays and three air-conditioning units included.
Is the dual-key worth the higher price?
It suits buyers who want flexibility: two entrances on one title for family or a separate tenancy. It costs more than the smaller layouts, so it is not the cheapest way in.
Can foreigners buy the dual-key unit?
Yes. At RM861,000 it is above the RM600,000 foreigner threshold that applies in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, so it is open to foreign buyers including Singaporeans, subject to the RM50,000 levy and state consent.
Do I pay double maintenance fees on a dual-key unit?
No. Maintenance charges are based on the parcel’s share units, and the Type C is a single parcel. You pay one maintenance bill regardless of whether one or two tenants occupy it.
Can I still rent the whole unit to one tenant?
Yes. The two halves can be let together as a conventional three-bedroom, which keeps your options open.
Reviewed by Jason Chan, Malaysia property consultant (DMS Team). Unit specifications and prices are taken from the developer’s materials at time of writing; figures are indicative and not financial advice.
Next: Floor plans · Investment guide · Foreigner eligibility · Back to Maxim The Address overview
Last updated 8 November 2026 · DMS Jason Chan, REN 78007