Type of Residential Property in Singapore
|
Public Housing
|
Public & Private
|
Private Housing
|
Public Housing - HDB
Singapore is one of the countries that boost an established public housing that is envy to the world. Public housing in Singapore is uniquely different. The public housing or HDB flats are built by the government and Singaporeans lease the flats from the government for 99 years. These flats will cost from S$150,000 to S$500,000 after subsidy depending on the size and location. And most of these flats are subsidized through various grants from the government. Over 80% of Singapore's resident population stay in HDB flats and Singaporeans finance their flats from their CPF savings. Therefore, these flats are regulated by the Housing Development Board of Singapore. Only Singaporeans are eligible to buy new HDB flats, and there is a minimum stay in period of 5 years before the flat can be put up for sale or rent in the open market. Singapore PRs can purchase a HDB flat in the open market, where there is no subsidy from the government. Currently, there are about 1 million HDB flats in Singapore.
Despite its relatively cheaper price than the private housing, each HDB estate is a town designed to be self-sustainable. Schools, education centers, hospitals, shops, shopping malls, parks, sports complexes, market are all taken care of in the town. There is no need to venture out of town to meet the most common needs of residences. Employment can also be found in industrial estates, business parks located near the towns.
Singapore is one of the countries that boost an established public housing that is envy to the world. Public housing in Singapore is uniquely different. The public housing or HDB flats are built by the government and Singaporeans lease the flats from the government for 99 years. These flats will cost from S$150,000 to S$500,000 after subsidy depending on the size and location. And most of these flats are subsidized through various grants from the government. Over 80% of Singapore's resident population stay in HDB flats and Singaporeans finance their flats from their CPF savings. Therefore, these flats are regulated by the Housing Development Board of Singapore. Only Singaporeans are eligible to buy new HDB flats, and there is a minimum stay in period of 5 years before the flat can be put up for sale or rent in the open market. Singapore PRs can purchase a HDB flat in the open market, where there is no subsidy from the government. Currently, there are about 1 million HDB flats in Singapore.
Despite its relatively cheaper price than the private housing, each HDB estate is a town designed to be self-sustainable. Schools, education centers, hospitals, shops, shopping malls, parks, sports complexes, market are all taken care of in the town. There is no need to venture out of town to meet the most common needs of residences. Employment can also be found in industrial estates, business parks located near the towns.
Different Type of HDB:
- 1-Room Flat - This is a small studio apartment. It is for rent to low income Singaporeans only.
- 2-Room Flat - This flat has a kitchen, a bedroom and washroom. It is about for 45sqm in size. It is, for sale to Singaporeans only, and no renting to permit holders are allowed.
- 3-Room Flat - This flat has a kitchen, a living area, 2 bedrooms and up to 2 washrooms. It is about 60-65sqm in size. It is for sale to Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents only. This type of flat is allowed to rent out to permit holders. Rent starts from S$1,800-2,800 depending on condition and location.
- 4-Room Flat - This flat has a kitchen, a living & dining area, 3 bedrooms and up to 2 washrooms and some come with a storage area. It is about 90sqm in size. Like the 3 bedroom flat, it is for sale and rent. Rent starts from S$2,000-3,000 depending on condition and location.
- 5-Room Flat - This flat is ideal for a family of 4-5 people. It has a kitchen, a living & dining area, 3 bedrooms and up to 2 washrooms. It also comes with a storage area. It is about 110sqm in size. This is open to sale and rent. Rent starts from S$2,200-3,200 depending on condition and location.
- Executive Flat - Like the 5 room flat. The size is about 130sqm. Rent starts from S$2,500-3,500 depending on condition and location.
Executive Condominium (EC) is a type of residential housing in Singapore. They were first introduced in 1994 for buyers who wish to pay a lesser for a private condo but wish to stay in a housing with better facilities than a HDB flat. EC usually comes with better facilities, like swimming pool, gym, tennis court, function rooms, etc. However, EC is in fact a hybrid of public and private housing. ECs are built by private developers, but at a lower price than the private condo. To achieve that the land prices for ECs are usually sold to the developers at a lower rate. Previously buyers are also able to take grants to purchase an ECs, but this initiative has ceased recently. Because of these subsidy New ECs are subject rules and regulations from the HDB. Some criteria are:
For direct purchases from a developer, there is a minimum occupancy period of 5 years; during which the EC cannot be sold or rented out whole. After 5 years, the EC can only be sold to Singaporeans or Singaporean Permanent Residents (PRs). Only when the development reaches ten years old can it be sold to foreigners.
- Only Singaporeans or in some cases together with a PR spouse are eligible to buy new ECs from the developers
- You or your spouse must not apply for EC before 30 months of disposing of a private property
- Household income must not exceed S$12,000
- Must not have already bought 2 HDB property or EC.
For direct purchases from a developer, there is a minimum occupancy period of 5 years; during which the EC cannot be sold or rented out whole. After 5 years, the EC can only be sold to Singaporeans or Singaporean Permanent Residents (PRs). Only when the development reaches ten years old can it be sold to foreigners.
Private Housing
Condominium / Private Apartments
Generally, condominiums in Singapore can be classified into 3 categories;
There are about 190,000 condos and apartments in Singapore. There are no restriction in foreigners owning condos in Singapore. There are also very minimal restriction on renting out the condo. This is the most popular type of property foreigners invest in Singapore.
- The Suburban condos located in the suburbs.
- The City Fringe condos located around the city.
- The Luxury condos or high-end condos are located in the city or prime districts.
There are about 190,000 condos and apartments in Singapore. There are no restriction in foreigners owning condos in Singapore. There are also very minimal restriction on renting out the condo. This is the most popular type of property foreigners invest in Singapore.
What is the difference between a condominium and an apartment
The main differences between the two are:
The main differences between the two are:
- Condominium requires a larger land area of at least 4,000 sqm (approx 43,000sqft).
- There is usually more generous provision of communal and recreational facilities in condominium developments. Under the existing regulation, the site coverage for condo projects should not exceed 40%. As such, more space is dedicated to communal facilities as compared to an "Apartment" status development.
Suburban Condos
They are located in the suburbs. Their location are usually the furthest away town or CBD. Most of these condo features basic facilities, like swimming pools, Jacuzzi, gymnasium, BBQ areas, car park, and 24-hours security. Rental in these condo usually starts from S$2,500 for a studio of about 35sqm to about S$5,000 for a 4-5 bedroom unit depending on the conditions and its amenities. Some smaller development are called apartments. They usually have basic facilities like swimming pools and maybe a gym only and their rental is slightly cheaper. Price starts from about S$500,000 for a 1bedroom unit to about S$1.8mil for a 5 bedroom unit.
City fringe Condos
These condos are often located just at the fringe of the prime districts or CBD. These include areas like Upper Bukit Timah, Newton, East Coast, and Novena. Often these condos offer more facilities than the mass-market ones. Examples of additional facilities include tennis and squash courts, sauna, fitness corner, function room, and basement carpark. Rental are higher due to their proximity to CBD. It ranges from S$3,000 for a studio apartment to up to S$8,000-9,000 for a bigger unit like a 4-5 bedroom unit. Price ranges from S$800,000 - S$2.5mil.
Luxury Condos
The Luxury or High-end condos are located in prime districts such as Districts 9 - 11. Rental usually starts from $4,000 for a small unit to about S$20,000-25,000 for a ultra luxury family size penthouse unit, depending on the exclusivity and the facilities. Additional facilities may include a sky gym, concierge service, private lifts, and even a marina to dock your yacht. Examples would include condos at Sentosa Cove and at the city centre. These types of condos are also located near to good schools and major shopping centers. Price range from S$1mil - S$30 mil for a prime penthouse.
They are located in the suburbs. Their location are usually the furthest away town or CBD. Most of these condo features basic facilities, like swimming pools, Jacuzzi, gymnasium, BBQ areas, car park, and 24-hours security. Rental in these condo usually starts from S$2,500 for a studio of about 35sqm to about S$5,000 for a 4-5 bedroom unit depending on the conditions and its amenities. Some smaller development are called apartments. They usually have basic facilities like swimming pools and maybe a gym only and their rental is slightly cheaper. Price starts from about S$500,000 for a 1bedroom unit to about S$1.8mil for a 5 bedroom unit.
City fringe Condos
These condos are often located just at the fringe of the prime districts or CBD. These include areas like Upper Bukit Timah, Newton, East Coast, and Novena. Often these condos offer more facilities than the mass-market ones. Examples of additional facilities include tennis and squash courts, sauna, fitness corner, function room, and basement carpark. Rental are higher due to their proximity to CBD. It ranges from S$3,000 for a studio apartment to up to S$8,000-9,000 for a bigger unit like a 4-5 bedroom unit. Price ranges from S$800,000 - S$2.5mil.
Luxury Condos
The Luxury or High-end condos are located in prime districts such as Districts 9 - 11. Rental usually starts from $4,000 for a small unit to about S$20,000-25,000 for a ultra luxury family size penthouse unit, depending on the exclusivity and the facilities. Additional facilities may include a sky gym, concierge service, private lifts, and even a marina to dock your yacht. Examples would include condos at Sentosa Cove and at the city centre. These types of condos are also located near to good schools and major shopping centers. Price range from S$1mil - S$30 mil for a prime penthouse.
Landed Properties
Landed housing are low-rise & low density residential development. There are only about 70,000 landed houses in Singapore. Scarcity of land is a major concern in Singapore hence, landed properties are significantly more expensive, especially those that are near the city centre. Foreigners are not allowed to own a landed property, except for those found in Sentosa and some of the shop houses and it is subject to approval from the authorities in Singapore. Landed property tenure is usually freehold and is tied to the land title. There are some 99 and 999-year leaseholds in the market as well. There are 2 category of landed housing:
5 types of landed property.
- Land Title
- Strata Title
5 types of landed property.
- Terrace Houses/Corner Terrace,
- Semi-Detached houses,
- Detached houses,
- Good Class Bungalows and
- Shop Houses.
Terrace houses
A terrace is a house which forms part of a row of at least 3 dwelling houses. Typically, the width of the terrace land should not be less than 6m and 8m for the corner units. The minimum land size for a small terrace is about 80sqm. Rental for such terrace and range from S$3,000 - 5,000 depending on the size and condition. Price range from S$1.8 - S$3 mil depending on size and location.
Semi-detached houses
Semi-detached houses also known as a semi-d in Singapore. It consists of a pair of houses built side by side and separated by a party wall or partition. The minimum land size is about 200sqm. Rental for such a housing unit can range from S$5,000-9,000 or more. Price range from S$2.5 - S$5mil depending on size and location.
Detached houses
Detached houses are like semi-ds but instead they are stand alone houses. The land size for such housing should be more than 400sqm and the rental ranges fro S$10,000-20,000 or more depending on the size and its location. Price range from S$4 - S$20mil depending on size and location.
Good class bungalows
There are only about 2,500 Good Class Bungalows or GCBs and are considered the most sought after property in Singapore by the extremely affluent foreigners (only restrict to Sentosa - Application needed for approval) and locals. GCBs must have a plot size of at least 15,070 sqft (1,400 sqm) and must be located in one of the gazetted areas around Singapore for good class bungalows to be considered as such. GCBs are huge and they often come with swimming pool, a huge garden and a huge garage that can park many cars. They are also huge enough to accommodate many family members. Rental from such home can cost anything between S$25,000-40,000 or even more if there are in the market. Price range from S$20 - S$100mil.
A terrace is a house which forms part of a row of at least 3 dwelling houses. Typically, the width of the terrace land should not be less than 6m and 8m for the corner units. The minimum land size for a small terrace is about 80sqm. Rental for such terrace and range from S$3,000 - 5,000 depending on the size and condition. Price range from S$1.8 - S$3 mil depending on size and location.
Semi-detached houses
Semi-detached houses also known as a semi-d in Singapore. It consists of a pair of houses built side by side and separated by a party wall or partition. The minimum land size is about 200sqm. Rental for such a housing unit can range from S$5,000-9,000 or more. Price range from S$2.5 - S$5mil depending on size and location.
Detached houses
Detached houses are like semi-ds but instead they are stand alone houses. The land size for such housing should be more than 400sqm and the rental ranges fro S$10,000-20,000 or more depending on the size and its location. Price range from S$4 - S$20mil depending on size and location.
Good class bungalows
There are only about 2,500 Good Class Bungalows or GCBs and are considered the most sought after property in Singapore by the extremely affluent foreigners (only restrict to Sentosa - Application needed for approval) and locals. GCBs must have a plot size of at least 15,070 sqft (1,400 sqm) and must be located in one of the gazetted areas around Singapore for good class bungalows to be considered as such. GCBs are huge and they often come with swimming pool, a huge garden and a huge garage that can park many cars. They are also huge enough to accommodate many family members. Rental from such home can cost anything between S$25,000-40,000 or even more if there are in the market. Price range from S$20 - S$100mil.
