Buying Private Residential Property

Singapore Citizens who:

• do not own a HDB flat, or
  
  
• have purchased a new/resale HDB flat or DBSS flat and meet the eligibility conditions and minimum occupation period set by the Housing Development Board (HDB)
  
  

Permanent Residents and Foreigners can purchase:

• strata-titled properties like apartments and condominiums without prior approval
  
  
• land-titled properties like houses and bungalows if they obtain approval from the Singapore Land Authority (SLA)

How can I check past transacted prices for private residential property?

You can search for recently transacted private residential property prices on our property market data portal.

What should I take note of before buying?

1. Check for authorised works or extensions
   
   It is important to ensure that the property does not have any unauthorised works or extensions. Otherwise you may be liable for them after taking over the property.
   
   
   • Ask the seller for a copy of approved plans, or
     
     
   • Submit DC15 – Requisition for Planning Records (WORD) to URA to obtain a copy of the approved plans (S$100 search fee, S$25 for the plans + printing fees).
     
     
     
2. Check if the property has been used inappropriately
   
   Private residential properties or their rooms within the premises should not be rented out on a short-term basis for less than 6 months on a daily/weekly/monthly basis.
   
   Leasing of the whole unit or subletting of rooms for residential purposes is only allowed for long-term stays of 6 months or more if these conditions are met:
   
   
   • There are no internal partitioning works that alter the layout of the property to create more rooms. Such overcrowding can pose safety concerns.
     
     
   • In the case of master tenancies or en-bloc leasing-out, there should only be 1 single tenancy agreement per residential unit to cover the number of occupants for the unit. This does not apply to a single property or individual owner who leases out rooms within his unit to different tenants.
     
     
   • Each occupant should have at least 10 sqm of space. The maximum number of occupants in a residential unit is 8, no matter how big the unit is.
     
     
     • This includes the owner if he is living within the premises.
       
       
     • This does not apply if the unit is occupied by a family without any subletting.

What should I be aware of when buying an uncompleted private residential property?

If the housing project has more than 4 units, ensure that the developer has:

• a sale licence issued by the Controller of Housing (COH)
  
  
• Building Plan approval issued by the Building & Construction Authority
  

All licensed developers must use the standard Option to Purchase and Sale & Purchase (S&P) Agreement when selling their projects. They must seek prior approval from the COH if the wish to amend any of the terms in the standard forms.

Any amendments to the S&P Agreement will be shown in a separate schedule attached to the standard agreement.

For more information, please refer to the Home Buyer’s Guide

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I plan to carry out additions and alteration works to the property. What should I do?

Additions and alteration works range from internal renovations to a new roof terrace to a new private enclosed space on your premises. You may need to apply for planning permission depending on the type of work.

Generally, internal renovation works within your property do not require planning permission. Works that affect the external facade of the building or result in an increase of the Gross Floor Area (GFA) will require approval from URA.

• Renovating a Private Residential Property
  
  
• Reconstructing or Redeveloping One Landed Property
  
  
• Redeveloping a Landed Property into Other Houses