Landed Properties in Singapore
Market Segmentation
Segmentation by Landed Housing Area
The Landed Housing Area Plan is drawn up to help retain the character of landed housing estates. These safeguarded estates where the type and storey height of housing that can be built in the estate are being specified. For instance, the areas can be designated a 2/3 Storey Landed Area for the various property types or a mixture of property types.
Good Class Bungalow Areas (GCBA)
There are 39 GCBA which are designated areas for detached houses which needs to adhere to a specific set of building parameters. In particular, the plot sizes of the detached houses are generally above 1,400 sqm within a minimum width and depth of 18.5m and 30m meters respectively and a maximum site coverage of 40%
Located mainly in Prime District, the detached houses in GCBA along with their planing parameters, makes it one of the most prestigious housing types in Singapore.
Find out more about Landed Housing Areas with URA Control Plans.
Segmentation by Property Types
Bungalows (or Detached Houses)
A detached house with its own land title.
Semi-Detached Houses
A semi-detached house is one half of a pair of two houses, each with its own land title, separated by a common party wall along one side of the premises.
Terrace Houses
A terrace house is a dwelling house with its own land title that forms part of a row of at least 3 dwelling houses abutting the common boundary party walls.
Segmentation by Nature of ownership / common areas
Strata Landed Housing
A strata landed housing comprises strata-titled landed housing units occupying a common development site with shared communal facilities and a single vehicular access point. Example of such properties include townhouses and landed housing in a Condominium.
Currently the URA regulates strata landed housing developments to have site coverage of 50% (and 40% in GCBA). 45% of the nett site area (excludes land for road widening and drainage reserve) also need to be set aside for Communal Open Spaces (COS).
Example of Strata Landed Housing - Belgravia Ace
Non Strata Landed Housing
These are landed house where the land directly belongs to the owner of the landed house as such there is no shared spaces or facilities with neighbouring houses.
Development Control of Landed Housing
The URA Development Control (DC) guidelines are guidelines to regulate and facilitate developments on ground. These guidelines are reviewed periodically to meet changing needs, and to adapt to changing circumstances, taking into account feedback from professional bodies.
It sets the parameters for building setbacks, coverage, intensity and height in detail.
URA MP2019. Source: URA
Exterior Guidelines for landed properties, Source URA
| Type | Min Plot Size (M2) | Min Width (M), Depth (M), Site Coverage | Setback Control (M) | Boundary Clearance for Roof Eaves (M) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good Class Bungalow | 1400 | Width: 18.5 Depth: 30 Site Coverage: 40% |
Front: 7.5 Side: 3 Rear: 3 |
Front Patio: 7.5 Car Porch: 3 Side / Rear: 3 |
| Detached | 400 | Width: 10 Depth: No control Site Coverage: 50% |
Front: 7.5 Side: 2 Rear: 2 |
Front Patio: 2.4 Car Porch: 2.4 Side / Rear: 1 |
| Semi-Detached, Corner Terrace I | 200 | Width: 8 Depth: No control Site Coverage: No Control |
Front: 7.5 Side: 2 Rear: 2 |
Front Patio: 2.4 Car Porch: 2.4 Side / Rear: 1 |
| Terrace I intermediate | 150 | Width: 6 Depth: No control Site Coverage: No Control |
Front: 7.5 Side: - Rear: 2 |
Front Patio: 2.4 Car Porch: 2.4 Side / Rear: 1 |
| Terrace II intermediate | 80 | Width: 6 Depth: No control Site Coverage: No Control |
Front: 1 (fixed) Side: - Rear: 2 |
Front: - Rear: 1 |
| Corner Terrace II | 80 | Width: 8 Depth: No control Site Coverage: No Control |
Front: 1 (fixed) Side: 2 Rear: 2 |
Front: - Side/Rear: 1 |
Envelope Control Guidelines
Under the envelope control guidelines, the overall building height is based on the allowable number of storeys and the floor-to-floor height in metres.
In July 2019, URA implemented guidelines on a two-year pilot basis to accord greater flexibility in the design of mezzanine floors and attics within the permissible building envelope of landed houses.
Mezzanine: Mezzanine floors can constitute more than 50% of a typical floor plate, with no restrictions on window openings on the front facade of the mezzanine floors.
Attic: The attic can be flexibly proposed within the permissible two-storey and three-storey envelopes respectively. Accessible roof terraces, if proposed, should be located at least 3m below the top extent of the permissible building envelope.
The new guidelines introduces new ways to renovate a landed property to enhance the interior living space.
Refer to URA Landed Housing Guidelines for more info.
Envelope Control. Source: URA
Envelope Control Guidelines. Source: URA
Street Block Plans
Where there is a street block plan to guide landed housing development, the planning guidelines and requirements stipulated in the street block plan will apply.
Conservation guidelines shall also apply for landed housing gazetted for conservation.
For more information in Development Control, contact us or visit URA Website.
Foreign Ownership of Landed Properties
A foreign person who wishes to purchase a landed residential property is required to seek approval under the Residential Property Act. The general processing time is 1 month and is managed by the Land Dealings Approval Unit (LDAU) under the Singapore Land Authority.
A foreign person refer to any person who is not any of the following:
Singapore citizen;
Singapore company;
Singapore limited liability partnership; or
Singapore society
Criteria for Approval
Each applicant is assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration, including but not limited to, the following factors:
You should be a permanent resident of Singapore for at least five years; and
You must make exceptional economic contribution to Singapore. This is assessed taking into consideration factors such as your employment income assessable for tax in Singapore.
For more information on foreigner ownership of property, contact us or refer to the SLA website.
Real Estate Transactions
Sale and Purchase
A private property transaction is unlike the typical goods and services that we are familiar with. Every property is unique and no two properties are the same. Being a multi-faceted product, it can be taxing for an individual to learn all about what to look out for in a property.
A property is also a large ticket item that is closely related to the needs of an individual/family. With significant stamp duties and other irreversible costs involved, it is prudent to make sure that each transaction is done right and right for the first time.
Therefore, is it recommended for property buyers/seller to engage a real estate professional to market/transact their properties. The right real estate professional will be acting in the best interest of his/her clients and helping that ensure that whole journey is smooth, hassle-free and pleasant.
Rental
It is important for property investors to ensure that their investment home is well taken care of and that the apartment is occupied by legitimate tenants during the tenancy period.
Find out more about xprop services.
See our quick guide for property sellers and buyers
