FAQ on Application for Reserve List Sites
Last updated 8 June 2026
When can developers start to apply for the Reserve List sites?
Developers can apply for the Reserve List sites once the detailed sales conditions are released in the One-Stop Developers' Portal. More information on the Reserve List sites that are available for application, and their schedule for release are available here.
Will I be allowed to submit applications for sites that are not in the Reserve List to be put up for sale?
Applications can only be made for sites in the Reserve List which are made available for sale through the half-yearly Government Land Sales Programme.
Can I submit more than one application with different minimum prices for one site at the same time?
Applicants should submit only one application per site. If more than one application is received, only the application with the highest minimum price will be considered.
What is considered an acceptable minimum price?
The bid price submitted in the application will be evaluated against the Reserve Price, which is 85% of the Chief Valuer's Estimated Market Value (EMV) for the site.
The Chief Valuer determines this Estimated Market Value independently after URA receives an application. The Chief Valuer is not aware of the minimum price while determining of the Estimated Market Value.
URA opens the envelopes containing the applicant's minimum price and the Chief Valuer's Estimated Market Value at the same time to evaluate the application.
What price is considered "close to the Chief Valuer's Reserve Price"? Is there a pre-determined acceptable price range?
There is no set acceptable price or price range before a site is released for sale. This depends on a number of factors including the prevailing market conditions, number of independent bids received for the site, and the specific circumstances of the site.
Why is there a need to provide an application deposit which is determined at 3% of the minimum price?
The deposit is necessary to discourage frivolous applications.
Why is the application deposit capped at S$5 million?
The deposit amount of 3% of the minimum sum, payable upon successful applications, can be very large for larger sales sites. The cap of S$5 million lowers the costs for developers making such applications, but at the same time the deposit will remain substantial enough to deter frivolous applications.
Will the Government charge an application fee or limit the number of applications a developer can submit per site? If not, how does the Government prevent abuse of the system?
If an application to activate the tender of a Reserve List site is accepted, the successful applicant is required to pay a deposit of 3% of the minimum price submitted (capped at S$5 million). This deposit will help to deter frivolous applications.
There is currently no application fee nor a limit on the number of applications that can be made by a developer for a site.
Measures to deal with abuses, including frivolous applications, may be introduced in the future if necessary.
Having more than one application submitted within "a reasonable period" is one of the conditions under which a Reserve List Site is deemed to have received sufficient market interest and thus can be released for sale.
What is considered "a reasonable period"?
We consider a period of six months to be reasonable.
If I submit an application during the period when someone else's application has been accepted by the government and before the site is launched for sale, will the details of my bid be made known to other developers?
All applications and details such as the name of applicant and bid prices will be kept strictly confidential. Only the minimum price of tender for the reserve list site will be made known to the public.
Why is the name of the successful applicant kept confidential?
The Government will not reveal the identity of the successful applicant as this information is not relevant to the competitiveness of the public tender of the site.
Will the Government allow an applicant to withdraw his application if the market conditions turn bad?
No, applicants who withdraw their applications after the Agreement is signed will have their application deposits forfeited (3% of Minimum Sum or S$5 million, whichever is lower).
Can a company, or a person who is debarred by the Standing Committee on Debarment (SCOD), Ministry of Finance, submit an application under the Reserve List system?
A company or a person who is debarred by SCOD from participating in "all lines of business" cannot participate in any public tender and will not be allowed to submit an application under the Reserve List system during the debarment period.
Can a company who is debarred by SCOD or named in the Land Sales Disqualification List submit an application under the Reserve List system or participate in the public tender for a Reserve List site?
The company can submit an application under the Reserve List system and participate in the public tender for a Reserve List site only if:
the company has been incorporated before (and not after) the effective date of debarment of the director(s);
the debarment is not for corruption or rigging;
the debarment applies only to the director(s) but not the company;
the company is not named in the Land Sales Disqualification List maintained by the Controller of Housing (‘the Land Sales Disqualification List’);
the company whose one or more director(s) is/are not named in the Land Sales Disqualification List; and
the company whose one or more substantial shareholder(s) (as defined in section 81 of the Companies Act 1967) and/or where any of such substantial shareholder(s) is a company[1], one or more director(s) of such substantial shareholder(s), is/are not named in the Land Sales Disqualification List.
[1] Not applicable if the tenderer is a public listed company.
Where can I locate the information on details of the developers and relevant parties who are disqualified from participating in tenders/sales of Government land?
Refer to the Land Sales Disqualification and/or Sales Suspension Framework for more information.