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Type of Properties in Singapore

Type of Properties in Singapore

Residential Property

Commercial Property

Industrial Property

> HDB
> Executive Condominium
> Private Condominium
> Landed Property
> Good Class Bungalow

> Office
> Shophouses
> Retail & F&B Outlets


> B1
> B2
> Business Park
> Industrial Park


Type of Residential Housing in Singapore

Singapore may be small but not on the range of quality accommodation available. Residential properties fall into two main categories, 
  • Public Housing (HDB), and the 
  • Private housing. 
About 85% of Singaporeans live in public housing, and most of these housing about 90% are owned by those living in them. 
Private housing refers to:
  1. Condominiums / Apartments / Executive Condominiums (ECs)
  2. Landed Property

Executive Condominiums (ECs) are a hybrid between a public and private housing. ECs are only regarded as a fully private property from the 11th  year onward. Before the period, ECs are subject to the same set of rules of the public housing. 

Public Housing

> HDB
> Executive Condominium


Private Property

> Executive Condominium (After 10 years)
> Condominium or Apartment
> Landed Property
> Others Commercial & Industrial Properties



The most notable differences between private and public housing are:
  • Home Loan Restrictions
  • Resale Restrictions
  • Possibility of Freehold
  • Eligibility of Grants

Click the button below to see more information e.g. rental on the type of Residential Properties and Commercial & Industrial Properties.
Residential Property
Commercial & Industrial Property

Comparison of Public & Private Housing

Public Housing
Eligibility: New HDB
  • Singaporean
  • Household Income below S$10,000
  • Household Income below S$12,000 for ECs

Eligibility: Resale HDB
  • Singaporeans & Permanent Residents

99-year Lease 
Most Affordable Type of Housing 
For Owner-occupation
Lower Maintenance Cost (Conservancy Charges)
Stringent Restriction for Leasing Out
Minimum Occupation Period 5 years 



Private Housing
Eligibility: Non-Landed
  • Foreigners, Singaporeans and Permanent Residents 

Eligibility: Landed 
  • Singaporeans 
  • Foreigners (Sentosa Landed - subject to approval)

30*, 60**, 99, 999 year Lease, Freehold
Tend to be More Expensive
For Owner-occupation and Investment
Higher Maintenance Cost (Property Taxes, Monthly Maintenance Charges, etc.)
No Restriction for Leasing out
No Minimum Occupation Period 

* Mainly for industrial land.
** Industrial land and 1st residential land at Jalan Jurong Kechil


Land Tenure in Singapore

Property in Singapore come with different lease periods:
  • 30-year lease (HDB studio apartments, and new Industrial land)
  • 60-year* lease (private housings, older industrial land)
  • 99-year lease (private housings, all HDB flats except for studio apartments)
  • 103-year lease (private housings) (Theses houses sit on freehold land owned by private developers.)
  • 999-year lease (private housings)
  • Freehold  (private housings)

Most housing estates in Singapore either fall into freehold or 99-year lease, with the latter making up the bulk.

A 999-year lease is almost equivalent to freehold.

While 30-year-lease HDB studio apartments come in short supply and are only meant for elderly residents, and the government recently capped the lease for new industrial land at 30 years.

Private developments with a 103-year lease period (the lease period is determined by the developer) on freehold land are few. At the expiry of the lease, the land owner usually a private owner has the right to re-acquire the land, sell the freehold tenure or extend the lease for a price.

Residential properties with 60-year lease are not readily available yet. Most of these lease are for the older industrial land. The 1st development on the first 60-year leasehold residential land plot at Jalan Jurong Kechil is being completed.

Homes in Singapore are predominantly 99-year leasehold because the government sells most land on 99-year tenure due to land scarcity in this country. At the end of the lease period, the government can acquire the land without any compensation to the home owners. Currently, the government does not offer freehold land parcels for sales anymore. Therefore freehold land are rare and are mostly in the prime districts.

However, topping up of the lease of leasehold private housings is allowed.

Lessees may apply for a renewal of the lease with the SLA (Singapore Land Authority). The granting of extension is on a case-by-case basis and will be considered if the development is in line with Government's planning intentions, supported by relevant agencies, and results in land use intensification, mitigation of property decay and preservation of community (SLA, “Waiver of Building Premium”). If the extension is approved, a land premium, decided by the Chief Valuer, will be charged. The new lease will not exceed the original, and it will be the shorter of the original or the lease in line with URA's planning intention.

In addition, near the end of the lease period the State may require the land to be returned in its original conditions. If so, demolition of buildings, land fillings, etc. will have to be borne by the current lessees.

For HDB flats, legally the flat will be returned to HDB at the end of the lease. HDB does not have to make any monetary compensation, or offer a replacement flat to the owners. The owners may also be required to remove any fixtures fitting.

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  • Home
  • Singapore Real Estate Guide
    • Useful Information for Property Investors and Tenants in Singapore
  • Top Property in Singapore
    • Browse Top Residential Property
    • Browse Commercial and Industrial Property
  • Contact us
    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy/Disclaimer
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Maps