Akta 446 Worker Hostel Rules & JTK Requirements in Malaysia
Akta 446 (Act 446) is Malaysia's Employees' Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Amenities Act 1990, enforced by JTK (JTKSM) in Peninsular Malaysia. It requires a Certificate for Accommodation before workers move in, at least 3.0 sqm of sleeping area per worker in a dormitory (3.6 sqm in a non-dormitory), and one bathroom and toilet per 15 workers (per 6 in a non-dormitory). Andaraya (M) Sdn. Bhd. manages hostels to this standard.
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What are the worker hostel rules in Malaysia?
Under Akta 446, an employer or centralised accommodation provider must hold a JTK Certificate for Accommodation before housing workers. Sleeping space must be at least 3.0 sqm per worker in a dormitory or 3.6 sqm per worker in a non-dormitory bedroom, with one bathroom and toilet per 15 or 6 workers respectively, plus beds, lockable cupboards, a kitchen, fans, lamps and a first aid kit.
- Dormitory: at least 3.0 sqm sleeping area per worker
- Non-dormitory: at least 3.6 sqm bedroom per worker
- Bathroom and toilet: 1 per 15 workers (dormitory), 1 per 6 (non-dormitory)
- Bed: at least 1.7 sqm, with 0.7 m between bunk decks
- Locked cupboard: at least 0.35 × 0.35 × 0.9 m per worker
- Separate quarters for men and women
- Notify JTK within 30 days of workers moving in
- Maximum fine for no certificate: RM50,000
JTK Hostel Requirements
Akta 446 space and facility requirements at a glance
The Employees' Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Amenities (Accommodation and Centralized Accommodation) Regulations 2020, in force since 1 September 2020, set two classes of building: dormitory and non-dormitory.
| Requirement | Dormitory shared sleeping room or hall | Non-dormitory house, flat, bedsit | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeping floor area per worker | 3.0 sqm | 3.6 sqm | Reg. 5(2) / 5(1) |
| Bathrooms and toilets | 1 per 15 workers | 1 per 6 workers | Schedule 2(e) / 1(e) |
| Bed | Single bed of at least 1.7 sqm per worker, not shared. If double-decker, at least 0.7 m between the two beds. | Reg. 4(1)(a) | |
| Bedding | Mattress at least 4 inches thick, plus a pillow and a blanket, not shared. | Reg. 4(1)(b) | |
| Storage | Locked cupboard of at least 0.35 m × 0.35 m × 0.9 m per worker for valuables including the passport, accessible to the worker at any time. | Reg. 4(1)(c) | |
| Common areas | One rest area, one dining area with chairs and tables, and one kitchen area. | Schedule | |
| Fans and lighting | A fan in each rest area, dining area and sleeping area or bedroom. A lamp in each rest area, dining area, sleeping area or bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and toilet. | Schedule | |
| Other essentials | An area to hang out clothes, one first aid kit and a dustbin. | Schedule | |
| Utilities | Water supply and electricity supply. | Reg. 6 | |
These are statutory minimums. JTK and your local authority (PBT) can apply further conditions on layout, ventilation, fire safety and building use before a certificate is issued. The same standards apply whether you run your own employer hostel or a centralised labour quarters (CLQ) for several employers.
Free Tool
Akta 446 hostel space calculator
Find out how many workers your sleeping area can legally house, or how much floor area, toilets and beds a given headcount needs. It applies Regulation 5 and the Schedule of P.U. (A) 250/2020.
Add your headcount to check whether you are within the legal limit.
Section 24J(a) requires separate accommodation for employees of the opposite gender, so men's and women's quarters are sized separately.
Planning estimate based on Regulation 5 and the Schedule of P.U. (A) 250/2020. The Certificate for Accommodation depends on JTK's assessment of the whole building, including layout, ventilation, fire safety and local authority approval. This is not legal advice.
| Workers | Dormitory: sleeping area | Dormitory: bathrooms and toilets | Non-dormitory: bedroom area | Non-dormitory: bathrooms and toilets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 30 sqm | 1 | 36 sqm | 2 |
| 20 | 60 sqm | 2 | 72 sqm | 4 |
| 50 | 150 sqm | 4 | 180 sqm | 9 |
| 100 | 300 sqm | 7 | 360 sqm | 17 |
| 200 | 600 sqm | 14 | 720 sqm | 34 |
Each worker also needs their own bed, mattress set and locked cupboard, so a 50-worker hostel needs 50 of each (or 25 double-decker units). Formula: workers × 3.0 sqm for a dormitory, workers × 3.6 sqm for a non-dormitory; bathrooms and toilets = workers ÷ 15 or 6, rounded up.
Worker Hostel Rules & Regulations
What the law requires of the employer, and what you set yourself
Part IIIA of Act 446 puts these duties on every employer or centralised accommodation provider. Beyond them, employers set their own house rules.
Separate quarters for men and women
Employees of the opposite gender must be given separate accommodation. s.24J(a)
Fire and electrical safety
Fire safety measures and electrical wiring must comply with the relevant written laws. s.24J(c)(d)
A person in charge
Appoint at least one person in charge. They inspect the accommodation at least twice a month, keep inspection records, and make sure unwell workers reach a clinic or hospital, with complaints recorded. s.24L
Notify JTK within 30 days
Inform JTK when workers occupy the accommodation. Failing to do so carries a fine of up to RM10,000. s.24E
Medical and infection control
Provide necessary medical assistance and follow preventive measures ordered by the Medical Officer of Health, including immunisation at the employer's expense. s.24J(e)(f)
Maintenance and fitness to live in
Maintain the accommodation as the Director General directs, and never use a building unfit for human habitation. s.24K / s.24H
Hostel house rules employers typically set
Act 446 lets the employer determine disciplinary rules, which the person in charge makes sure residents follow (s.24L). Most hostels cover the following.
- Cleanliness, waste disposal and shared-space duties
- Cooking and fire safety, including no open flames in sleeping areas
- Visitor registration and controlled entry
- Quiet hours and respect for other residents
- Reporting illness, damage and emergencies
- Use of lockers, and no confiscation of passports or documents
Good practice: write the rules in workers' own languages, have each worker acknowledge them on arrival, apply them equally, and avoid blanket curfews or limits on lawful off-duty movement, which RBA and SMETA auditors treat as a risk. See RBA & SMETA compliance.
JTK Hostel Application
How to apply for a JTK Certificate for Accommodation (Perakuan Penginapan)
No accommodation may be provided to an employee unless it holds a Certificate for Accommodation (s.24D). The employer or the centralised accommodation provider applies, with the prescribed processing fee.
Check the building
Confirm the building type is allowed and has local authority (PBT) approval for worker accommodation.
Measure and fit out
Size sleeping areas, toilets, beds, lockers, kitchen and fire safety to the tables above.
Prepare the documents
Gather what JTK's application checklist (Senarai Semak Permohonan Perakuan Penginapan) asks for.
Inspection, certificate, notice
Resolve any findings, receive the certificate, then notify JTK within 30 days of occupation.
Which buildings qualify: JTKSM lists terrace houses, shop houses, bungalows, apartments and flats, kampung houses, shop offices, cabins, SoHo/SoFo units and other buildings permitted by the local authority as acceptable accommodation types. Andaraya prepares the application file and inspection readiness for the hostels it manages.
Non-Compliance
Akta 446 penalties for non-compliant worker hostels
Non-compliance can also halt production: workers cannot legally be housed on site, and buyer audits under RBA or SMETA will flag it.
| Offence | Who | Maximum penalty | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing an employee in accommodation without a Certificate for Accommodation | Employer | Fine up to RM50,000 | s.24D(3) |
| Same offence | Centralised accommodation provider | Fine up to RM50,000, or up to 1 year in prison, or both | s.24D(4) |
| Using a building unfit for human habitation | Employer or provider | Fine up to RM50,000 | s.24H(2) |
| Not notifying JTK within 30 days of occupation | Employer | Fine up to RM10,000 | s.24E(2) |
| Breaching the 2020 accommodation regulations (space, beds, amenities, utilities) | Centralised accommodation provider | Fine up to RM1,000, or up to 6 months in prison, or both | Regs 3-6, P.U. (A) 250/2020 |
| Any other breach with no specific penalty, including regulation breaches by employers | Employer | Fine up to RM50,000, plus up to RM1,000 for each day the offence continues | s.33 |
| Offence by a company | Directors, managers and similar officers | May be charged together with the company, unless they prove the offence happened without their knowledge or consent and that they exercised due diligence | s.29A |
These are statutory maximums; the court decides the actual penalty. Some online guides quote higher fines or longer jail terms than the Act provides, so check the reprint linked under Sources.
Standards We Build To
Beyond the statutory minimum
JTK / Akta 446 Compliance
Sleeping area of at least 3.0 sqm per worker (3.6 sqm non-dormitory), bathrooms and toilets to the 1:15 or 1:6 ratio, licensed and inspected under JTKSM.
Fire Safety
Bomba-compliant fire safety systems, escape routes and periodic inspection, documented per hostel.
RBA Housing Standards
International benchmarks for worker housing, dignity and freedom of movement layered on top of the statutory minimum. See RBA & SMETA →
Andaraya Welfare Code
Our own internal standard, going further than the law to ensure workers feel genuinely cared for, not just legally housed.
What Every Hostel Includes
What we actually provide
Minimum Space Per Worker
Sleeping quarters meeting or exceeding the statutory minimum of 3.0 sqm per worker in dormitories and 3.6 sqm in non-dormitory bedrooms, with proper bunk spacing.
Ventilation & Sanitation
Fans in every rest, dining and sleeping area, and bathroom-and-toilet ratios that meet the JTKSM schedule.
Fire Safety Systems
Extinguishers, clear escape routes and periodic fire drills, inspected and documented.
Cooking & Recreation Amenities
Communal cooking facilities and recreational space, not just sleeping quarters.
Facility Upkeep
Scheduled cleaning, pest control and maintenance, tracked per hostel rather than left to residents.
Connected Transport
Hostels sited and served by our own transport fleet, keeping commute times reasonable and documented. Transport details →
Want this run for you?
See how Andaraya's foreign worker hostel management service handles certification, day-to-day operations, transport and payroll under one contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
Akta 446 and JTK hostel FAQ
What are the worker hostel rules and regulations in Malaysia?
Worker hostels are governed by Akta 446 (Act 446) and its 2020 accommodation regulations. Employers and centralised accommodation providers must hold a JTK Certificate for Accommodation, give each worker at least 3.0 sqm of sleeping area (dormitory) or 3.6 sqm (non-dormitory bedroom), meet the bathroom-and-toilet ratios, and provide beds, lockable cupboards, a kitchen, fans, lamps and a first aid kit. See the full requirements table.
How much space per worker does Akta 446 require?
Regulation 5 of P.U. (A) 250/2020 requires at least 3.0 sqm of sleeping-area floor space per worker in a dormitory, and at least 3.6 sqm of bedroom floor space per worker in a non-dormitory such as a house, flat or bedsit. Use the space calculator to work out capacity from your floor area.
How many toilets does a foreign worker hostel need?
A dormitory needs one bathroom and toilet (separate or together) for every 15 workers. A non-dormitory needs one for every 6 workers. A 60-worker dormitory therefore needs at least 4, and a 60-worker non-dormitory needs at least 10.
What is the JTK hostel requirement before workers can move in?
You must hold a Certificate for Accommodation (Perakuan Penginapan) from the Director General of Labour before housing any employee, and report the occupation to JTK within 30 days of workers moving in. The employer or centralised accommodation provider applies online at akta446.mohr.gov.my.
How do I apply for a JTK hostel certificate?
Apply online at akta446.mohr.gov.my using JTK's application checklist and pay the prescribed processing fee. Before applying, confirm the building is approved for worker accommodation by your local authority (PBT), and that space, toilets, beds, lockers and fire safety meet the regulations. See the five-step process.
Is it compulsory to provide a hostel for foreign workers?
Not for employers in general, but JTKSM states that employers who hire foreign workers must provide accommodation under the Employees Required to be Provided with Accommodation Regulations. Whatever housing you provide must hold a Certificate for Accommodation.
Can employers deduct hostel rent from workers' wages?
Within limits. JTKSM's FAQ says an employer may charge accommodation rent of up to RM150 a month, or the amount agreed in the service contract, by wage deduction. If the contract says accommodation is free, no rent can be charged, and other hostel facilities cannot be deducted from wages.
What types of building can be used as a foreign worker hostel?
JTKSM lists terrace houses, shop houses, bungalows, apartments or flats, kampung houses, shop offices, cabins, SoHo/SoFo units and other buildings permitted by the local authority (PBT). Local authority approval for the building's use still applies, so confirm it before applying for a certificate.
What is the penalty for housing workers without a Certificate for Accommodation?
An employer can be fined up to RM50,000. A centralised accommodation provider can be fined up to RM50,000, jailed for up to one year, or both (section 24D). Directors and managers can be charged alongside a company under section 29A. See the penalties table.
What is a CLQ (centralised labour quarters) and does Akta 446 apply?
A CLQ is a centralised accommodation: a building housing employees of one or more employers, run by a provider rather than by an employer housing only its own staff. Akta 446 applies in full. The provider must obtain a Certificate for Accommodation and meet the same space, sanitation and amenity standards.
Does Akta 446 apply in Sabah and Sarawak?
No. According to JTKSM, Akta 446 applies only in Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan.
How is Akta 446 different from RBA housing standards?
Akta 446 is Malaysian statutory law with legal penalties for non-compliance. RBA housing standards are an international, buyer-driven benchmark layered on top, covering areas such as freedom of movement in more detail. See RBA & SMETA.
Sources
Where these figures come from
Every number on this page traces to primary law or JTKSM guidance. Last reviewed 24 September 2026.
- P.U. (A) 250/2020: Accommodation and Centralized Accommodation Regulations 2020 (space, beds, cupboards, Schedule of minimum requirements). Published by the Attorney General's Chambers, hosted by JTKSM.
- Employees' Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446), reprint as at 1 February 2021 (sections 24A to 24N, 29A, 33).
- JTKSM FAQ: Employees' Housing, Accommodation and Amenities (application portal, rent, building types, foreign worker accommodation, scope).
- JTKSM: Employees' Housing, Accommodations and Amenities (enforcement scope and list of worker accommodation centres).
- akta446.mohr.gov.my: JTK's online application system for the Certificate for Accommodation.
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