Singapore Housing Type

Private apartments and condominiums come in various sizes from as small as 400 sqft to 8,000 sqft or more. The units range from studio, 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedrooms to penthouses. Residents share a common compound and facilities such as clubhouses, playgrounds, gymnasiums, swimming pools, tennis courts and BBQ pits. Most condominiums also come with 24-hour security surveillance and intercom systems.

Recreation facilities (i.e.: 24-hr security, BBQ area, Basketball court, Covered car park, Clubhouse, Function room, Gym, Jacuzzi, Jogging track, Outdoor fitness corner, Playground, Sauna, Spa pool, Swimming pools, Tennis/Squash court, etc.)

Types of Condominium and Private Apartment

1. Condominium (Condo) – The compound has bigger land compared to Apartment and usually has recreation facilities.
2. High/Low rise apartment – The compound has smaller land area compared to Condo. May not have recreation facilities.
3. HUDC – Privatised flat originally built by the Housing & Development Board (HDB). May not have recreation facilities.
4. Walk Up – Low rise apartment without a lift or recreation facilities.
5. Mansionette – apartment with 2 levels.
6. Penthouse – Biggest unit in a condo or apartment block. Usually on top floor and two/three levels.

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Landed Property

Conventional landed properties refer to houses, which come with private garden compounds and/or garages. Please note that the Singapore Government has imposed restrictions on foreign ownership of private residential property in Singapore.

Good Class Bungalows (GCB) : An exclusive category of houses. Most of the GCB are 2 storeys and up to 3 storeys in areas where there is no 2-storeys restriction. There are 39 designated GCB areas in Districts 10, 11, 21 and 23. A bungalow that falls within the boundaries of such GCB areas is subject to a minimum land size of 1,400 sqm. Due to these restrictions, Good Class Bungalows are rare in Singapore and they generally command a premium because of their scarcity.

Bungalows : Free standing houses with no shared wall with others except the fence. They are defined as independent dwelling units that can be 1, 2 or 3 storeys high and tend to be located in serene environments away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Expect to pay a higher price for the privacy and luxury that a bungalow will offer.

Semi-Detached (semi-D) : A pair of houses, two houses joint side by side that share one common wall. There are no facilities provided here except for a personal patio, car porch and garden area. Most semi-detached homes offer a spacious living, dining and bedrooms and it comes in two or three storeys.

Terrace : Inter Terrace (Intermediate Terrace House) and Corner Terrace (Corner Terrace House). Terrace units are a row of houses in 2 or 3 storeys that have common walls with those in the middle known as inter terraces, and those at the end known as corner terraces. Corner terraces have larger garden areas and are suitable for more those in need of more open space.

Cluster House : Landed houses built in a large plot of land with common facilities, such as a swimming pool, playground and security gates. Most of the cluster houses are terraces of 2 to 4 storeys with spacious living area and many have roof terraces and basements. Cluster housing in Singapore are very popular with expats with children. Rentals tend to be slightly cheaper than individual houses.

Townhouse : Landed houses that share the same compound and facilities (if any). They either form an entire estate or are part of a larger condominium establishment.

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Others

Colonial / Black & White Houses : These are built in the pre-war British colonial times, usually with white external walls and wood support painted in black. Houses are usually 1 or 2 storeys with large outdoor patio, garden and surrounded by lush greenery. Contemporary bathroom and kitchen areas have been added for modern day living and convenience.

Conservation House : Converted old-style local Houses or Shop Houses with cultural heritage, which used to have the businesses on the ground floor. Many have been renovated into modern residential units. It’s ethnic architectural design with high ceiling, wooden floorboards and beams appeals to many. They can be in 2, 3 or 4 storeys with a courtyard within the house.

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Housing and Development Board (HDB)

This is a common feature of Singapore real estate listings in Singapore with more than 80% of Singaporeans living in public housing. Purchases of HDB flats are restricted to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents.

Please note that the living room is counted as 1 room for the HDB flat.

Type No of bedroom built-in size

• 2 room 1 bedroom about 45 sqm / 485 sqft
• 3 room 2 bedrooms about 70 sqm / 754 sqft
• 4 room 3 bedrooms about 90 sqm / 969 sqft
• 5 room 3 bedrooms about 110 sqm / 1,184 sqft
• EA 3/4 bedrooms about 150sqm / 1,615sqft (Executive Apartment)
• EM Same as EA, except it has two levels (Executive Mansionette)
• 6 room Jumbo flat joint by two 3-room flats

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