{"id":1269,"date":"2022-08-08T16:35:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-08T08:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/blog\/singapore\/?p=1269"},"modified":"2024-10-22T16:50:55","modified_gmt":"2024-10-22T08:50:55","slug":"a-general-guide-to-types-of-housing-in-singapore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/singapore\/insider\/a-general-guide-to-types-of-housing-in-singapore\/","title":{"rendered":"Housing types in Singapore – A comprehensive guide"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Dwellings here, Dwellings there, Dwellings everywhere<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The jigsaw puzzle that is the Singaporean real estate market can be divided up, labelled, categorised, and sliced into various forms and types of housing types\u00a0\u2013 or dwellings<\/em>. To make sense of it all, we have created an excruciatingly comprehensive overview of many housing in Singapore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Public Housing \u2013 (HDB) <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First off, there are, of course, the HDB properties<\/a>. For those who aren’t familiar with the Singaporean housing market, listen up! For everybody else, either skip ahead or tune in to relive a pivotal piece of Singaporean history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, HDB properties. The tale goes something like this: Once upon a time, there was a tiny dot of land that was experiencing relentless economic growth, leading to a rapid appreciation of its real estate market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With mansions, luxury estates, and skyscrapers mushrooming all over the place, the government intervened in the housing market so that its citizens could continue to enjoy affordable homes \u2013 and thus, HDB flats were born<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsidised and regulated by the Housing and Development Board (hence HDB<\/em>), the flats were hugely popular and today, over 80% of Singaporeans live in public housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Relatively cheaper housing does, of course, come with some strings attached, the most notable of which is that to be eligible for HDB property, your household income cannot exceed a specified amount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To accommodate the different segments of societies, HDB offers public housing in various forms.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"A<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Studio apartment <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Studio apartments<\/a> are designed and tailored to meet the needs of elderly residents with modest means who aim to live independently. They come in two sizes, 36 and 45 sqm (387 and 484 sqft), both of which can comfortably accommodate one or two people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The apartments have many elderly-friendly features such as specialised non-slip tiles, support bars in the bathroom and multiply pull-for-help cords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2-room flat <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The 2-room HDB flat<\/a> is specifically tailored towards the smaller and less affluent households. These dwellings are typically around 45 sqm (484 sqft) including a bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, bathroom, and storeroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
A 2-room Flexi BTO (Source: MyNiceHome)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When viewed compared to its private counterpart, the 2-room HDB flat can be viewed as a one-bedroom apartment\u2019s twin brother, just a lot cheaper<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 3-room flat <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Despite what the name suggests, the 3-room HDB flat<\/a> is a bit more than just a one room upgrade from the 2-room HDB flat. It comprises a living area, a master bedroom plus attached bathroom, another bedroom, a common bathroom, a kitchen, a service yard, and a storeroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This flat totals about 60 to 65 sqm (645 to 700 sqft). While still a little compact, it is a viable living option for small families with on a budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4-room flat<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ideal for young couples starting a family, the 4-room flat<\/a> offers an intimate and cosy living experience. It\u2019s the 3-room flat plus<\/em> one bedroom, upping the total estimated living space to about 90 sqm (968 sqft). This flat type is available in a variety of layouts tailored to your preferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5-room flat<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Covering 110 sqm (1184 sqft), the 5-room flat<\/a> is a more spacious variation on the previously mentioned flats, including an additional dining area space that some people convert to an additional room by building partitions.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Source: Qanvast<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

3Gen flat<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This one is a heads-up for Singaporeans. HDB is trying out a new type of design dubbed the 3Gen Flats<\/a>, or 3 generation flats, specifically tailored to multi-generational families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compared to the 5-room flat, it’s considerably more spacious, with about 115 sqm (1237 sqft), making way for an additional bedroom and bathroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3Gen flats were piloted at Yishun, where 84 units were built. If you’re looking to snag one, check out the August 2022 HDB BTO launch in Ang Mo Kio<\/a>, where there are a handful of such flats available<\/a> at an estimated price range of between S$715k to S$840k.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read this: 3 things to consider before saying “yes” to a 3Gen flat<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Executive flats <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This mammoth of an HDB flat has about 130 sqm (1400 sqft) of floor area. The highlights include an extra space, ideal for a study room or alternative television corner. Some of the executive flats come adorned with a balcony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DBSS flats<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the spirit of offering greater choice and wider variety to meet the housing aspirations of higher income flat buyers, HDB introduced the Design, Build, and Sell Scheme in 2005. While put under review in 2011, 13 DBSS sites were launched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DBSS falls somewhere in between the larger HDB flats and an Executive Condominium. In terms of class, it caters to the segment of society that is affluent enough to buy or rent the better HDB flats, yet is not ready to make the jump into the private market space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read this: HDB BTO, EC & DBSS: What\u2019s the Difference?<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Public \u2013 Private Hybrids <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Executive condominiums  <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The executive condominium<\/a> is a type of property starts off as a public housing unit, then phases into private housing after 10 years of ownership. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tailored to young professionals who can afford more than an HDB flat but find private property still a little out of reach, the executive condominium share most of the design and facilities of a private condominium yet has the affordable edge of being HDB-issued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So why would anyone go for a private condominium when you can basically get the same deal, just cheaper in the HDBs executive condominium<\/a>? Apart from considerations of status, there are some noteworthy differences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When putting the metaphorical magnifying glass on the fine print, there are three noteworthy differences:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. The executive condominium comes with some ownership restrictions.<\/strong> Designed to dissuade investment and stimulate ownership driven purchasing, the executive condominium comes with a 5-year Minimum Occupation Period<\/a> (MOP), so you have to live in the condominium for at least 5 years before you are granted the rights to sell it on the open market to Singapore Citizens and PRs. And after another 5 years, the executive condominium gains \u201cprivatised\u201d status, and effectively becomes a normal condominium, opening the buyer pool further to foreigners.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Yet another difference lies within the CPF housing grants.<\/strong> For executive condominiums, where eligible, you can apply for government help and get a subsidy of between S$10,000 and S$30,000, depending on your household income.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. While condominiums can be 99-year, 999-year, or freehold, all executive condominiums come with a 99-year leasehold.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Private housing <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Decades of strong economic growth combined with the continues influx of affluent foreigners, and relatively limited supply of land (it\u2019s a tiny dot!), have led to decades of private residential property appreciation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This has made Singapore a hotspot for real estate investments, a phenomenon which feeds into the property appreciation.\u00a0Economic gibberish aside, the bottom line is that prices of private residential property have, when put in a historical perspective, been on a rising trend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This has led Singapore to host a dynamic and diversified private housing sector.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"A<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    The different private residential property can be subdivided into two main cadres: landed property and condominiums\/apartments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Condominiums and apartments<\/a> form the most popular destination for private property enthusiasts. Essentially, they’re a more luxurious version of HDB flats, and can widely be categorised into condos, apartments, and a variation that is called a \u201cwalk-up\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Condominiums<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Condominiums can be regarded as the liberated and relatively unrestricted brother of the executive condominium. Home to recreational facilities such as swimming pools, security, gyms, and tennis courts, basketball pits, and well-maintained gardens, condominiums are the go-to option for those who are looking for private housing yet find landed properties either too expensive or too much maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Apartments<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Apartments are like condominiums, yet they are part of smaller developments and are home to less generous provisions of communal and recreational facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Apartments are generally more affordable than both landed property and condominiums, yet more expensive than the subsidised HDB flats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Walk-ups<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Brilliantly coined the \u201cwalk-up\u201d, this special breed of dwelling is a condominium or apartment that does not include lifts, hence the name. Naturally, such dwellings are low built so that even though a lift is absent, no extensive trekking is required to reach one\u2019s unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3. Landed property <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Landed properties are viewed by many Singaporeans as the housing equivalent of reaching the top rungs of the society\u2019s social ladder. While admittedly high maintenance, landed properties are unrivalled in terms of their sheer size, spacious living quarters, and privacy.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"A<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    From the upper left corner to the bottom right on the different dwellings are: 1. Bungalow 2. semi-detached house 3. Terrace Houses 4. Shop houses 5. Good Class Bungalow 6. Cluster 7. Townhouse<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Terrace houses<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Terrace houses<\/a> (or row houses) are properties which are part of a row of similar houses joined by a common boundary. While joined, each terrace house is a property of its own respect and has its own walls and roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Conservation houses<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Rather self-explanatory, conservation houses<\/a> make up historically significant houses in Singapore which have been renovated and are conserved to fit within the urban fabric of modern Singapore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Shophouses <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The bulk of the conservation houses in Singapore are known as shophouses<\/a>. In stark contrast to the modern and futuristic architecture that reflects Singapore’s rapid evolution in many buildings (yes, we’re talking about that spaceship-slash-hotel at Marine Bay, and the Durian-shaped theatre that we call the Esplanade), shophouses are a mashup of Chinese, Malay, and European architecture and traditions.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"Shophouse<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    A shophouse is a special type of terrace house. Often two to three stories high, shophouses are conserved terrace houses. Because of their rich historical significance, they’ve grown into a type of special dwelling of their own in Singapore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While not very common, the shophouses give the Singaporean urban landscape a distinct look and can be found in neighbourhoods such as Katong, Little India, Emerald Hill, and Chinatown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Bungalow house<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The smaller (and mostly cheaper) brother of the Good Class Bungalow<\/a> caters to the near-top-tier of the better-offs. With a minimum plot size of 400 sqm (4305 sqft), the bungalow house is still one of the larger estates, even amongst landed properties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By definition, a bungalow is also detached, in that no other estate is linked to it, further adding to its privacy and exclusivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Within the faction of bungalow houses lie four types or \u201cclasses<\/em>\u201d, differentiated because of their respective plots of land:<\/p>\n\n\n\n