1. How do I check transacted prices of the property?
You may check the recently transacted prices on the property by logging on to our property market data portal at /real_estate/main.jsp.
2. What do I need to know about buying uncompleted private residential properties?
When buying a property in a project with more than 4 housing units, you should ensure that the developer has a sale licence issued by the Controller of Housing (COH). All licensed developers are required to use the prescribed Option to Purchase and Sale & Purchase (S&P) Agreement in selling their projects. The developers have to seek COH's prior approval if they wish to amend any of the terms in the prescribed forms. Any amendments to the S&P Agreement will be shown in a separate schedule attached to the prescribed S&P Agreement.
When buying a strata-titled residential property, particularly a resale property, you must ensure that the property do not have any unauthorised works or extensions. This is important as you may face enforcement action should the unauthorised works or extensions be brought to the attention of URA.
If you are not a Singaporean citizen, we advice that you first check on the restrictions on foreign ownership of land which is regulated by the Singapore Land Authority.
For more information on the process of buying uncompleted private residential properties, please refer to the Home Buyers' Guide.
3. How do I know if the property housed unauthorised works or structures?
To check, you could request from the seller of the property a copy of the approved plans.
Alternatively, you may apply to URA for a search and purchase of the approved plans by using the application form REQUISITION FOR PLANNING RECORDS. You can download the application form from here.
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4. Approved residential properties are for long term stays. How do I know if a residential property is put to an inappropriate use?
Residential properties like apartments, flats, condominium units and landed houses are approved for residential purpose in accordance with the residential zone in the Master Plan. These residential properties or their individual rooms within the premises should not be rented out on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Such short-term occupancy, with transient occupiers, creates disturbances and inconveniences to other bona fide residents in the development. Premises that are approved for residential use are for longer term stays of 6 months or more.
The leasing of residential properties (whole unit) or subletting of rooms for residential purpose should be for long term stays of 6 months or more by the same occupiers and the following requirements should be observed:
- Refrain from constructing internal partitioning works to alter the layout of the residential premises to create more rooms as this will cause over-crowding and pose safety concerns. The original unit should still be used as a single dwelling unit even though it might be shared by a few tenants.
- In the case of master tenancies or en-bloc leasing-out situations [e.g. where a single agent leases out several units in a development], there shall be only one single tenancy agreement per residential unit to cover the requisite number of occupants for the unit. This is to retain the residential character of the development. Separate leasing of independent rooms within a single residential unit on an en-bloc basis will constitute a material change in the use of the residential premises to a hostel or dormitory and is not allowed. However, this requirement of a single tenancy agreement per residential apartment unit does not apply to situations where a single property / individual flat owner leases out rooms within his unit to different tenants under separate tenancy agreements.
- To prevent overcrowding and disamenity to the neighbouring residents, the maximum allowable occupancy of a residential unit (inclusive of the owner if he is living within the premises) shall be based on 10 sqm per occupant subject to a maximum cap of 8 occupants. This occupancy guideline does not apply if the entire unit is occupied by a family with no subletting involved.
5. What must I do if I want to cover the roof terrace or private enclosed space?
Where the roof terrace or private enclosed space is not covered and you wish to cover them (i.e. have a roof over), you must apply to URA for approval.
There are certain planning considerations that URA will make when processing your application. If the subject property has already been developed to its maximum plot ratio allowed, URA is unlikely to support the application to cover up the roof terrace or private enclosed space. In situations where URA allows the application that is above the plot ratio control, the owner may have to pay development charge.
Development charge is a levy paid on a development that exceeds the approved plot ratio control. There is a fixed formula for the calculation of the charge. The fees are reviewed every six months to keep in pace with market changes. Click here for more information.
To know more about how to obtain approval from URA, click here.
6. Do I have to pay a search fee for the approved plans?
A fee of $150 (subject to GST) is payable to URA to do the search. A set of the approved plans will cost another $25 (subject to GST).
7. What to do when there are defects in your new home?
The Building & Construction Authority (BCA) has published a booklet to advise homebuyers on what to do when there are defects in the new home, the process of getting the defects corrected and the possible ways to settle any dispute relating to the defects. Copies of the booklet can be obtained from BCA at 5 Maxwell Road, #02-00 or #16-00 Tower Block MND Complex, Singapore 069110.
You can also download the booklet here.
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8. What must I do if I want to carry out additions/alteration works within the strata units?
Generally, internal renovation works within your strata unit do not require planning permission.
However, renovation works which affect the external façade of the building or result in an increase in Gross Floor Area (GFA) will require approval from URA. In particular, for proposed A/A works within strata units which involve an increase in GFA, the applicant is required to obtain a letter signed by the Secretary or Chairperson of the council of the MC confirming that the MC has by 90% resolution authorised the carrying out of the proposed works for the strata unit. This authorisation letter duly signed by the authorised signatory of the Council of the MC is to be submitted to URA by the applicant together with the proposal as part of the planning application.
To download the format of the authorisation letter, please click here.
The above requirement is only applicable to non-conservation strata-titled residential properties.
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Strata-Titled Residential Property 
