Private developers must provide more detailed floor plans, disclose track records from early-2026

Key Concepts

• Layout Plans Disclosure: Providing detailed structural information (walls, lift chambers, refuge shoots) at the point of sale.
• Construction Quality Track Records: Developers disclosing past project quality assessments (e.g., CONQUAS scores).
• Defect Liability Period (DLP): The period during which developers are obligated to rectify defects.
• Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP): A permit allowing occupation of a building before the Certificate of Completion and Compliance is issued.
• CONQUAS (Construction Quality Assessment System): A system for assessing and benchmarking construction quality.
• Livability and Functionality: Focus on defects that significantly impact the habitability and usability of a home.
• Public-Private Partnership: Collaboration between industry associations (like REDAS) and government bodies.

Enhanced Information for Home Buyers

New measures are being introduced to empower private home buyers with more comprehensive information at the point of sale for new housing projects. This includes detailed layout plans that will now disclose structural elements such as structural walls, lift chambers, and refuge shoots. Previously, developers were not mandated to provide such granular details upfront. The primary objective of these changes is to enable home buyers to make more informed decisions. These enhancements are slated to be implemented early next year.

Disclosure of Construction Quality

Developers will also be required to disclose their construction quality track records for previous projects to potential buyers. This initiative aims to allow buyers to better assess project standards and make more objective evaluations of the quality they can expect.

Revised Defect Liability Period (DLP)

The defect liability period, which is the timeframe during which developers are legally obliged to rectify any defects identified by the homeowner, will now commence later. The DLP will start either upon the buyer's key collection or 35 days after the payment notice is issued, whichever occurs first, following the issuance of a Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP). This adjustment is intended to more accurately align the DLP with the period when home buyers actually take possession of their units. Currently, developers have a 21-day window to deliver possession after a buyer collects their progress payment.

Streamlined Defect Checking Process

Starting next April, the defect checking process will be streamlined. The focus will be on issues that are most critical to homeowners, such as water seepage. Approximately 30% of defect categories that do not significantly impact livability will be removed from the inspection checklist. These improvements are designed to ensure that construction standards evolve to meet residents' needs while simultaneously supporting industry productivity and growth. The aim is for homeowners to receive better quality homes with fewer defects that affect functionality and livability, while developers and builders will benefit from time savings through more efficient assessments.

Expert Perspectives

Need for Measures and Buyer Confidence

Eugene Lim, Key Executive Officer of ERRA and President of the Singapore Institute of Estate Agents, believes these measures are necessary to raise the bar for an already high industry standard. He notes that the new regulations cover the entire spectrum of the home-buying process, from property selection to possession and quality assessment. Lim also points out that today's buyers are more sophisticated and demanding, partly due to the higher property prices. He anticipates that these changes will indeed raise buyer confidence.

Operational and Logistical Impact on Developers

Ivon Tan, Chief Corporate and Development Officer and committee member of the Real Estate Developers Association of Singapore (REDAS), highlights the significance of streamlining the TOP process. She states that pre-identifying show flat sites removes a common bottleneck for developers, potentially cutting approval time by half and saving up to six weeks. Tan also commends the public-private partnership that led to this policy change, emphasizing the government's positive response to REDAS's suggestions. She hopes for similar improvements in other early-stage processes, such as inter-agency clearances, to achieve meaningful time savings across the project cycle.

Industry Preparation and Accountability

Ivon Tan explains that the industry is already actively disclosing information, creating consistency and a common template for disclosures. This ensures that all buyers receive the same information, allowing for comparisons on an even footing. REDAS aims to play an enabling role by helping members align practices and collectively raise standards.

Benefits for Prospective Buyers

Eugene Lim reiterates that these measures will benefit prospective buyers by providing them with more information to make objective decisions. He acknowledges that while show flats often present a high-quality look and feel, the focus on livability and functionality further downstream addresses potential buyer concerns. This also helps the industry manage buyer expectations, creating a good balance for both buyers and the industry.

Impact of Mandatory CONQUAS Disclosure

The mandatory disclosure of Construction Quality Assessment System (CONQUAS) track records is expected to shift how agents and developers market projects. Currently, decisions are often based on hearsay or brand loyalty. The objective CONQUAS score will provide an additional, objective source of information for buyers to assess quality beyond the initial aesthetics.

Support for Developers with Weaker Track Records

Regarding developers with less robust CONQUAS records, Ivon Tan states that REDAS will assist members in understanding and aligning practices. The association will also establish working groups to gather industry feedback and respond to any emerging issues.

Overall Benefits

Eugene Lim summarizes the key benefits:

• For Agents: The job becomes easier with an unbiased, objective source of information for buyers, moving beyond just "look and feel" to include expected downstream quality.
• For Buyers: Greater access to information for objective decision-making and a focus on livability and functionality.
• For Developers: Potential for time savings through more efficient processes and a clearer understanding of quality expectations.

Conclusion

The new measures aim to significantly enhance transparency and empower private home buyers by providing detailed layout plans and construction quality track records. The revised defect liability period and streamlined defect checking process are designed to better align with the buyer's experience and focus on critical aspects of home quality. These changes, fostered through public-private collaboration, are expected to raise industry standards, increase buyer confidence, and ultimately lead to better quality homes.