Recently, many single friends working hard in Singapore have been chatting about buying a house and settling down. They all say that with rents in Singapore soaring, it’s a more secure option to buy a property if they have the means. As similar inquiries have gradually increased, we decided to write an article to provide a centralized answer for everyone.
So, can single individuals buy property in Singapore? The answer is simple: of course, they can. However, the matter of buying property in Singapore needs to be discussed based on different residency statuses, as detailed in the table below:
| Status | Types of Property That Can Be Purchased |
| Singapore Citizen | HDB Flats, Non-Landed Private Residences (Condominiums), Landed Property (Terrace Houses, Bungalows) |
| Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) | Executive Condominiums (EC) (Resale) and Private Condominiums |
| Foreigner | Private Condominiums |
After a preliminary understanding of the types of properties that single individuals of different statuses can purchase in Singapore, we will now conduct a detailed discussion and answer related questions for each of these situations.
Latest & Hot Residential Units
PSF from $2,802
District 09 (Orchard / River Valley)
Freehold
1 to 3-Bedroom units from $1.356M
- Location and Convenience: Situated in a prime location in Singapore’s core central region, adjacent to Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, providing quick and easy access to the entire island. The project site was formerly Sophia Ville and Fairhaven, acquired through a collective sale worth S$62 million.
- Project Information: This development offers 78 exclusive residential units distributed across two 5-story buildings. Residents can enjoy a variety of condominium facilities, such as a swimming pool, spa pool, social and reading lounges, outdoor BBQ area, rooftop bar and dining, and more.
- Unit Mix and Pricing: Offers a variety of floor plans to suit different lifestyle needs, from 1-bedroom units (441 sq ft) to 3-bedroom dual-key units (829 sq ft). The prices are highly attractive, presenting an excellent investment opportunity for buyers.
- Educational Institutions: The project is close to several renowned schools, including St. Margaret’s Primary School, Anglo-Chinese School (Junior), River Valley Primary School and Chatsworth International School, ensuring that residents’ children have access to quality education.
- URA Transformation Plan: The project will benefit from the upcoming URA transformation plan for Orchard Road, which aims to turn the Orchard area into a vibrant lifestyle destination, thereby increasing the project’s appeal.
PSF from $2,041
District 15 (East Coast / Marine Parade)
99-Year Leasehold
1 to 5-Bedroom units and Penthouses from $1.390M
- Excellent Location: Located in Tanjong Katong in District 15, just a one-minute walk from Dakota MRT station, offering convenient transport links to all key locations in Singapore.
- Abundant Shopping and Dining Options: Surrounded by multiple shopping centres such as City Plaza, Katong Shopping Centre, and PLQ Mall, as well as a diverse range of dining choices, including local and international cuisine.
- Rich Leisure and Entertainment Facilities: Close to East Coast Park, where residents can enjoy seaside activities. The Circle Line MRT provides easy access to leisure spots like the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade and Gardens by the Bay.
- Educational Institutions: Proximity to several prestigious schools, including Kong Hwa School, Haig Girls’ School, and Tanjong Katong Primary, provides convenience for families with school-aged children.
- Diverse Residential Choices: Offers a variety of unit types from 1-bedroom to 5-bedroom apartments and penthouses, catering to the needs of different families and investors.
- Convenient Transportation: In addition to being near an MRT station, multiple bus routes and expressways provide easy connectivity across the city.
Table of Contents
1. Requirements and Restrictions for Single Singapore Citizens Buying Property
• HDB Flats: Single citizens can purchase HDB flats, but only if they are 35 years of age or older. At the same time, the Singapore government has strict requirements regarding the types of flats that can be purchased and the buyer’s financial situation. The specific requirements can be found in the table below:
| Criteria | New HDB Flat (BTO) | Resale HDB Flat |
| Age | 35 years old and above | |
| Flat Type | 2-room Flexi flat in a non-mature estate | All flat types in any location (excluding 3Gen flats)
*Note: If applying for a CPF Housing Grant, you can purchase up to a 5-room flat. |
| Maximum Monthly Household Income | $7,000 | No requirement
*Note: The maximum monthly income applies to eligibility for CPF Housing Grants and HDB housing loans. |
| Ownership of Property Other Than an HDB Flat in Singapore or Overseas | All applicants and occupiers listed in the flat application:
· Must not own or have an interest in any private property, locally or overseas; · Must not have sold any private property within 30 months before the flat application; Private property includes but is not limited to houses, buildings, land, Executive Condominiums (EC), and privatised HUDC flats. You are considered to have acquired an interest in a private property if it was:
· Acquired by way of gift; · Inherited as a beneficiary under a will or the laws of intestacy; or · Owned, acquired, or disposed of through a nominee. |
If you or any person listed in the flat application owns or has an interest in any private residential property, locally or overseas, you must dispose of the property within 6 months of the completion of the flat purchase.
*Note: If you own or have an interest in any private residential property, locally or overseas, you are not eligible to apply for a CPF Housing Grant (except for the Proximity Housing Grant) or an HDB housing loan. |
| Previous Housing Subsidies | Must be a first-time applicant to be eligible;
A subsidised housing unit refers to: · A flat bought from HDB · A resale HDB flat bought on the open market with a CPF Housing Grant · A Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) flat bought from a property developer · An Executive Condominium (EC) unit bought from a property developer · Other forms of housing subsidy |
Any housing subsidies previously taken do not affect eligibility to buy a resale flat.
Note: If you have already received any housing subsidy, you are not eligible to apply for a CPF Housing Grant (except for the Proximity Housing Grant). |
| HDB Flat Ownership | If you or any person listed in the application owns any HDB flat, you must dispose of that flat within 6 months of completing the new flat purchase. | |
| Additional Amount Payable | $15,000, incorporated into the price of the flat at booking | None |
Of course, whether buying a new or resale HDB flat, single Singapore citizens can also use CPF Housing Grants, and this is subject to various different conditions.
• Private Condominiums: For single citizens, there are no restrictions on purchasing a private condominium. However, if you already own an HDB flat, buying a private condo will affect the calculation of the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) and may also impact the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio for your housing loan from the bank.
The situations mentioned above regarding CPF and the purchase of a second property can be quite complex. If you wish to learn more, you can contact senior real estate agent Leo Kwek, who will provide detailed explanations based on different circumstances.
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2. Requirements and Restrictions for Single Singapore Permanent Residents (PR) Buying Property
• Private Condominiums: As long as you have the financial capacity, acquiring a private condominium is the easiest option. A single Permanent Resident can purchase a private condominium in Singapore as long as they are at least 21 years old.
• Resale Executive Condominiums (EC): The only restriction is that you can only purchase resale ECs that have passed their 5-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP). However, this also has some benefits, such as being able to move in immediately. You can also sell the EC to a foreigner after it becomes fully privatised in its 10th year.
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3. Requirements and Restrictions for Single Foreigners Buying Property
Single foreigners can easily purchase private condominiums in Singapore. This is because the Singapore government has not set any restrictions on the purchase of private condominiums.
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4. Singapore Property Purchase Tax Rates
Regardless of your status as mentioned above, if you decide to purchase a property in Singapore, you must pay the corresponding Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) to the government. The specific tax rates can be found in the table below:
| Property Price | Stamp Duty Rate |
| First $180,000 | 1% |
| $180,001 to $360,000 | 2% |
| $360,001 to $1,000,000 | 3% |
| Above $1,000,000 | 4% |
In addition, buyers of certain statuses are required to pay an Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD). The calculation method for this tax can be found in the table below:
| Buyer’s Status | First Property | Second Property | Third and Subsequent Property |
| Singapore Citizen | None | 17% | 25% |
| Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) | 5% | 25% | 30% |
| Foreigner | 30% | 30% | 30% |
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The above provides an interpretation of the restrictions and conditions for single individuals wishing to buy property in Singapore. If you are interested in purchasing property in Singapore and would like to learn more, feel free to consult us.
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