The Home Owners Guide to developing your Landed Property in Singapore

Introduction

Landed property in Singapore is a popular choice for those who are looking to purchase homes in this country. A landed property has the least number of restrictions and offers more space. If you have a large family or looking for more space, a landed property is definitely worth considering. Many people are opting for landed properties in Singapore as they offer space, greenery and flexibility in its use. Expatriates prefer to lease these homes especially for these reasons too.

What is a landed property?

A landed property is a piece of real estate with a building or structure on it, unlike a vacant lot. In Singapore, landed properties are typically houses on small plots of land, and can be found in various suburbs from central regions to outer central regions. Prices will vary according to the size of the houses, land plot and location.

There are many types of landed properties to suit your needs. Most local people prefer to buy their landed property instead of renting. They purchase these properties because they can build additions and alterations (A&A) on them. Hence, they can customize these houses to their needs and preferences.

Landed Property in Singapore

A landed property is a house located on private land with an area of land surrounding it that belongs to the homeowner. Landed properties are one of the most popular types of property in Singapore and have been for a long time.

It is essential to consult with an expert or architect and get all the information you need before deciding to develop your landed property in Singapore.

Legal Documents for Landed Property Ownership

As a landed property owner in Singapore, you must submit certain drawings and documents for approval from the relevant authorities before proceeding with any development or construction work on your land.

If you plan to sell or lease your developed property, you must complete all the works and obtain an occupation permit from the Building Control Authority.  This permit is only issued after all development works have been completed and inspected by the relevant authorities. This is usually done by a registered architect in Singapore.

Types of Landed Properties in Singapore

There are various types of landed properties that one can purchase. There are two main types:

  • Freehold (owned outright)
  • Leasehold (long-term tenancy)

Freehold properties are usually preferred for its long-term ownership. Both freehold and leasehold properties give the owners flexibility in doing addition and alteration works. There are other types of landed properties such as cluster houses. These are built as an overall development in a gated community.

For such homes, you may not be able to do any major additions and alterations unless the Management Corporation permits.

Location of the Landed property

It’s important to know the location of your property before buying it, as this will determine the commuting distance from public transport routes and private schools. Depending on the zoning, there may be different rules that determine the addition and alterations you can make for your house, such as the height and setback controls, A planning permission will also be required for any additions or alterations you wish to make, including adding an extension or installing a swimming pool.

Measurements of a Landed Property

Some of the measurements of a landed property are the size of the area and the shape. The size of a landed property is measured by how many square feet it is, and the shape can be rectangular, triangular, or pentagonal. This is undertaken by a registered land surveyor.

Planning permission and infrastructure costs

If you are developing your landed property, you must consider that you may need to obtain a building permit and submit your plans to the relevant authorities. This is a necessary step because your building plans may affect the surroundings. There could be height restrictions, noise restrictions and also thematic or aesthetic restrictions. Infrastructure costs could include the construction of sewers, drainage, airways, ventilation, ducting, water pipes, electricity lines, and other services that are needed as part of your design.

Additions and Alterations (A&A)

A&A can range from relatively simple tasks, such as adding a room or enlarging a kitchen, to more complex projects, such as adding a swimming pool or changing the facade of the building. The cost of these additions will depend on the size and complexity of the project.

Reconstruction

In Singapore, many different types of residences can be used for reconstruction: single-story terrace houses, semi-detached houses, and bungalows.

Rebuilding

It is always a good idea to have a plan for rebuilding your home should the need arise. In some cases, it might even be necessary.

Conclusion

In summary, here are the key points you need to know about developing a landed property in Singapore: – Landed properties are high value assets. You may need to consider a bank loan to make it happen. There are technical issues when developing a landed property. Seeking advice from experienced landed property professionals like ADX Architects can make all the difference.

Frequently Asked Question

  • How much does it cost to rebuild landed property in Singapore?

The cost of rebuilding landed property in Singapore varies depending on the size and condition of the property. Generally, rebuilding a landed property is more expensive than purchasing an existing one. The cost of rebuilding a landed property also depends on the type of foundation that is required. If the soil conditions are poor, it may be necessary to use a more expensive foundation.

  • Is landed property a good investment in Singapore?

Yes, it is a good investment if you know what you are getting into. It might not be the best idea if you don’t know what you are doing. There are a lot of hidden costs, and they require time and skill.

  • What happens to landed property after 99 years in Singapore?

After 99 years, the landed property will revert back to the Government.

  • How many Singaporeans stay in landed property?

There is no proper justification for this question but approximately 73,000 landed property units can be found in Singapore as of the year 2021. There are only a few available landed properties due to their low density. The most recent figures from the Department of Statistics show that there are mostly private residential properties in Singapore, and about 73,000 of these are landed properties.

Source: https://ohmyhome.com/en-sg/blog/the-analysis-behind-landed-properties-in-singapore/

The Pros and Cons of Engaging Builders Vs Architects in Singapore

For anyone interested in building their home, there are two routes they can take. You can either hire a builder directly or opt for an architect first. Both of these options have pros and cons, but most people do not even realize that hiring an architect is something that even an average person can do.

In this blog post, you will get a clear vision of the differences between a builder and an architect so you can make an informed decision.

Builders

A Singapore builder is a company that completes construction projects on a contractual basis. They hire a project manager and directly employ workers that undertake the different roles necessary to undertake construction works. They are responsible for planning, leading, executing, inspecting and supervising building projects. A builder has multiple responsibilities that may vary depending on the project.

Pros

  • Responsible for Implementing Design: When you hire a builder, the construction starts almost immediately. Since they are only responsible for implementing the design, there are rarely delays unless other factors like man power issues or raw materials shortage crop up.
  • Construction Management: They simplify the entire construction project with one-stop company handling and managing all the trades involved in construction. This is done via a project manager who is able to coordinate all the works within a specified time frame.
  • Gather Permits: When builders start the project’s construction phase, they undertake the responsibility to obtain the necessary permits for construction work to commence in a safe and legal manner.
  • Accountability: Singapore builders are typically responsible for entire projects – right from scheduling to costs and the quality of the end product. When you hire them, you are entrusting them, and they are accountable to you.
  • Minimal Wait Time: Working with a builder ensures you enter the construction phase of your project quickly, with higher chances of the final construction being completed well on time.

Cons

  • Basic Floor Plans: Builders that give a quotation may not have a floor plan to quote from. Otherwise, they may use very basic floor plans that do not incorporate a lot of detailed information such as materials selection, joinery details and construction specifications. This can lead to many disagreements later, leading to cost variations.
  • Authority Lapses: The builder may not familiar with authority regulations. This can lead to headaches for the house owner especially when there are deviations and they have to pay for the rectifications.
  • Time delay: Since there is no independent professional other than the builder’s project manager handling the project, there may be a lack of accountability. At the end of the day, they can site reasons for project delay and there is no recourse for the house owner.
  • Costs overrun: Keeping to the budget is critical for all projects, be it big or small. For house owner who have paid a high price for the land, the rebuilding cost becomes important. Costs can easily overrun due to the above causes.
  • Deliver Inferior Project: Since there might not be audits or checks and balances during the construction project, the end result may be an inferior product which you may come to realize afterwards.

 

Architects

Singapore Architects are licensed and trained experts in designing, planning, and building homes and commercial spaces. While most people consider architects to be someone who draws up or creates the blueprints of the house, they are actually intimately involved throughout the construction project.

Pros

  • Thoughtful Design and Material Choice: Singapore registered architects give thorough thought and produce better design. From the professional drawings and documentation to the material schedule, there will definitely be a value-add when they are done by architects.
  • Avoid Design Errors: Architects especially with the right experience, can help avoid costly design errors that arise with inexperienced designers or builders.
  • Reduce Cost Significantly: The wealth of experience architects bring to the table can save you money in the long run by building efficient homes in terms of layout, structure, and energy usage.
  • Authority Submissions and Clearances: An architect can help complete authority submissions and avoid legal and environment-related problems.
  • Concerned with Codes and Regulations: They offer detailed plans to provide the builders with a clear guide to ensure the construction is up to the latest codes and regulations.
  • Control of Contractor and Construction Process: Singapore builders/contractors can be difficult and eager to enforce their opinions. Your Singapore architect is the best person to deal with them from both a technical and legal perspective. If there are any deviations in your building contract be it design, materials or process, your Singapore Architect can issue the appropriate legal documents to compel the Singapore builder/contractor to rectify the issue before completion. This helps you, the builder owner avoid unpleasant situations whereby the builder/contractor might use their professional experience in ways that might put down your complaints or diminish the validity of your arguments.  
  • Smooth Delivery and Completion: Handing over your project to your Singapore architect makes your life easier as they can take on the responsibility for managing the entire building project and ensure that it completes on time.

Cons

  • Expensive Way to Build: Some star architects may drive up the cost with high-end materials and custom products. But, they want to ensure your project looks good and is very detailed when it comes to the final product.
  • Time Commitment: Since Singapore architects require time to perfect the planning and design before the construction commences, the timeline of the entire project may be extended.

Final Thoughts           

While Singapore builders can certainly build you a home, a Singapore architect will give you a home designed around your needs rather than a template, and their expertise will help save a huge amount of money and time. If you are one of the lucky few who get to renovate or build your own home in Singapore, hiring an architect in Singapore is the best way to ensure you get the right space for life!

If reading this blog article has made you think about hiring an architect in Singapore, ADX Architects has a team of professionals who can help you with your project. For more information, get in touch today!