SoHo, SoVo and SoFo ... Why So Confusing ?

In the thrilling quest for a new property, you stumble upon some listings that mention a peculiar property called "SoVo." Bewildered, you hastily consult the almighty Google, only to be flabbergasted by the discovery of its cousins, the mysterious "SoFo" and "SoHo". Now, your excitement has turned into a hilarious confusion, not understanding what they actually mean.

If you've come across the terms SoHo, SoVo, and SoFo in your property search, you may find them similar at first glance. However, there are subtle distinctions that make them unique in terms of value and usage.

Here, we will explain the similarities and differences so you can make the perfect choice, whether it be buying or renting that specific property.

What Is Small Office, Home Office (SoHo) ?

The concept of SoHo in the Malaysian context caters to the needs of young singles, newly-weds, and aspiring professionals who seek a blend of living and working spaces. These strata-titled properties, situated on commercial land, offer the unique advantage of serving both as a comfortable home and a functional workspace. The appeal of SoHo units lies in their convenience, allowing residents to seamlessly integrate their living area with their office, eliminating the need for a separate commuting space.

Typically, SoHos offer compact studio or one-bedroom configurations, encompassing an area of approximately 50-80 square meters. These units are equipped with fully fitted bathrooms and a kitchen or pantry, providing essential amenities for comfortable living. SoHo units are intelligently designed to optimize small spaces, making them highly functional despite their modest sizes. The SoHo concept caters to the changing economic and lifestyle preferences of individuals, providing them with a flexible and adaptable living space that accommodates both their personal and professional needs.

SoHos are the most prevalent among the three property types and are designed to function both as a home and an office, as the name "Small Office, Home Office" suggests.

Given their residential use, SoHo properties fall under the HDA (Housing Development Act), ensuring buyers benefit from the protection of a standard sales and purchase agreement. This arrangement holds significant advantages, as developers are held liable to compensate buyers if the project faces delays in completion. Residents of SoHo buildings can also enjoy lifestyle facilities akin to those found in condominiums, such as swimming pools and gymnasiums, enhancing their overall living experience. In certain cases, individual owners or joint management bodies can opt to convert commercial utility rates for SoHo properties into residential rates, offering further flexibility and cost-saving opportunities.

What Is Small Office, Virtual/Versatile Office (SoVo) ?

A SoVo is a compact office space that comes fully equipped with telecommunication and infrastructure facilities, making it ideal for immediate business startups. Unlike SoHo or SoFo buildings, SoVo properties offer fewer residential-style amenities.

It's important to note that SoVo units are strictly designated for commercial use and cannot be legally used for human dwelling. Owners are not allowed to stay overnight in the property if management does not permit it, as SoVo properties are not regulated under the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966 (HDA).

SoVo properties are often marketed with advanced infrastructure and telecommunication facilities, such as high-speed internet, making them particularly attractive to budding startups in today's increasingly digitized business landscape.

What Is Small Office, Flexible Office (SoFo) ?

A SoFo is a compact unit that offers owners greater flexibility in how they use the space, whether for residential or commercial purposes, or even a combination of both. These units come with condominium-style amenities within their buildings.

One of the unique features of SoFo units is the internal partition, allowing owners/occupants to customize and fit-out their units as they please. Some SoFo developments even allow the possibility of enlarging the space by combining two adjoining units together.

SoFo properties, like SoVos, are not regulated under the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966 (HDA). Despite this, they generally offer the facilities and amenities one would expect from a condominium.

Similarities VS Differences

Factor	SoHo	SoVo	SoFo
Full Name	Small office, Home office	Small office, Flexible office	Small office, Virtual office
Personal Home Use	Yes	No (Depends On Management's Approval)	Yes
Commercial Office Use	Yes	Yes	Yes
Subjection To HDA	Yes	No	No
Subjection to SPA	Yes	No	No
Land Title	Commercial (Can Convert To Residential Under HDA)	Commercial	Commercial
Utility Rate	High (Can Convert To Residential Rate Under HDA)	High	High

Ultimately, it's like choosing between ice cream flavors - there's no one-size-fits-all ! So, don't be puzzled by the similarities and differences of SoHo, SoFo, and SoVo. Instead, ponder over your needs, and decide which space suits your lifestyle and purpose.