- a
- Additional Buyer Stamp Duties / ABSD (额外的买方印花税)ADDITIONAL BUYER’S STAMP DUTY Depending on your residency status and how many residential properties you already own in Singapore, you may also(...) Read More
- Accrued interest (应计利息)Accrued interest is simply the amount we would have received in interest returns on our CPF OA funds if we didn’t use it to pay for our(...) Read More
- Adjudication (裁决)When you seek the opinion of the Commissioner of Stamp Duties on the Stamp Duty amount, you are making an application for(...) Read More
- Administrator (遗嘱认证书管理员)These Letters of Administration serve as a court order authorising a person to be appointed as the administrator to administer the estate and(...) Read More
- As is Where is (所见所得)The “as is where is” clause stems from an English legal doctrine known as the “caveat emptor” rule which is now part of Singapore law. Source(...) Read More
- b
- Basic Retirement Sum / BRS (基本存款)Basic Retirement Sum (BRS) stands at $88,000 as of 2019. If CPF members own a property with remaining lease that can last(...) Read More
- Build to Order / BTO (预购组屋)On 15 April 2001, the Housing Development Board (HDB) launched its pilot Built-To-Order system (BTO) as the mode of sale for its new flats. The(...) Read More
- Building Under Construction / BUC (尚在建造中私宅项目)These are condos that have yet to receive their Temporary Occupancy Permit (TOP). In short, they are not constructed yet; when you are looking(...) Read More
- Building Under Construction Loan (正在建设的屋子的贷款)Unlike a loan for a completed property which is 100% disbursed at one time, a BUC loan has a progressive disbursement schedule. In other words,(...) Read More
- Buyer Stamp Duty / BSD (买家印花税)BUYER’S STAMP DUTY BSD is payable on all property you buy in Singapore. The amount of BSD to be paid is based on: The purchase price of(...) Read More
- c
- Caveat (买卖禁令)A caveat is a legal document lodged with the Singapore Land Authority by a person with an interest in land or property. Frequently, it is lodged(...) Read More
- Certificate of Statutory Completion (Building Under Construction) (法定结业证书)Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC) When the building works are completed, the applicant and the Qualified Person shall apply to the(...) Read More
- Commisioner for Oaths ( 宣誓官)A Commissioner for Oaths, as the name suggests, primarily administers oaths or affirmations to a person making an affidavit, statutory(...) Read More
- Controller of Housing (房屋总监)The Minister may, by notification in the Gazette, appoint a public officer or an officer of a public authority to be the Controller of Housing(...) Read More
- Conveyancing (房产交易)Conveyancing refers to the legal process of transferring title in a property from one person to another. For most people, the purchase of a(...) Read More
- CPF (公积金)In Singapore, the Central Provident Fund (CPF) is a compulsory comprehensive savings plan for working Singaporeans and permanent residents(...) Read More
- d
- Design, Build and Sell Scheme / DBSS (私人发展商设计、兴建和销售政策)Design, Build and Sell Scheme (abbreviation: DBSS) was introduced by the Housing and Development Board in 2005. Flats built under the scheme(...) Read More
- Decoupling (房产脱钩)In general, decoupling is allowed on the private residential property without much restriction. A case where decoupling may not be allowed is(...) Read More
- Decree Nisi (离婚中期判决)The decree nisi is a provisional decree of divorce pronounced when the court is satisfied that a person has met the legal and procedural(...) Read More
- Decree Nisi Absolute (离婚最终判决)You must wait until the Court has dealt with all the ancillary matters in your divorce, or for three months, whichever is later, before you can(...) Read More
- Defects (缺陷)What is a defect? A defect is any fault in the unit, housing project and common property or limited common property which is due either to(...) Read More
- Defects Liability Period (免费维修期)Defects Liability Period The developer is obliged to rectify any defect in the unit, the common property or the housing project which becomes(...) Read More
- Deferred Payment Scheme (延迟付款计划)The DPS enables buyers to first pay a down payment to own a unit. Thispayment is a small percentage of the unit's purchase price, with the(...) Read More
- Developer's Project Account (发展商项目帐户)A licensed housing developer shall deposit any loan for the construction of a building project into the Project Account of the building(...) Read More
- e
- E-Notice of Transfer (电子转移通知)Lawyers generally submit the Notice of Transfer on behalf of the seller/transferor of the property using the online service "Update Property(...) Read More
- e-Stamping (电子交付印花税)E-Stamping is a computer-based application and a secured way of paying non-judicial stamp duty to the government. The prevailing system of(...) Read More
- En-bloc Sale (集体出售)Refers to the sale of all the units within a housing development to a single party or a consortium/joint venture, who has the intention to(...) Read More
- Estate Agency Agreement (地产代理公司与属下经纪的协约)A prescribed estate agency agreement is more than just a commission agreement. It is a binding contract between you and your property(...) Read More
- Ethnic Integration Policy (HDB) (种族融合政策)Ethnic Integration Policy is implemented - Singapore History. The Ethnic Integration Policy was implemented on 1 March 1989 to promote racial(...) Read More
- Executive Condominium / EC (执行共管公寓)A new type of housing introduced by the government in 1995 to meet the housing aspirations of the growing number of graduates and young(...) Read More
- Executor (遗嘱执行人)A person or institution appointed by a testator to carry out the terms of their will. Source: Singapore Legal Advice Read More
- f
- Family Nucleus (家庭核心)Type of Family Nucleus: Nuclear family refers to either: (i) a married couple with or without children; or (ii) a family consisting of immediate(...) Read More
- Final Judgement (终审判决)A final judgment, granted at the end of the second stage of divorce, proves that a marriage has been dissolved. This is after, all ancillary(...) Read More
- Fire Insurance (防火保险)Without an outstanding loan, fire insurance is optional for property owners. The HDB does not require home owners to buy fire insurance if the(...) Read More
- Fixed Rate (固定利率)The interest rate on such loans is fixed for a set period, during which charges are often imposed for early redemption. Being protected against(...) Read More
- Floor Plan (楼面平面图)A floor plan is a drawing to scale, showing a view from above, of the relationships between rooms, spaces, traffic patterns, and other physical(...) Read More
- Foundation Works (地基工程)It means that part of a construction immediately below the footings of a building, which is in direct contact with, and through which the weight(...) Read More
- Freehold (永久业权财产)A freehold property involves a permanent change in ownership of land or a building that is not time-sensitive and will not revert to another(...) Read More
- Full Redemption / Fully Redeem (还清贷款)When you mortgage your asset to a mortgagee (typically a bank), the ownership of the asset is transferred over to the mortgagee as a form of(...) Read More
- h
- HDB Loan Eligibility (HLE) Letter (建屋与发展局贷款合格书)The HLE letter provides prior information on flat buyers' loan eligibility quantum and monthly instalment to ensure that flat buyers are able to(...) Read More
- Home Protection Scheme (HDB) (房产贷款保险)The Home Protection Scheme (HPS) is a mortgage reducing insurance which insures CPF members and their families against losing their homes should(...) Read More
- i
- Inland Revenue Authority ofSingapore / IRAS (国内税务局)The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) is the main tax administrator to the Government. IRAS collects taxes that account for about 70%(...) Read More
- Integrated Land Information Services / INLIS (国内税务局)INLIS is a service of the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) providing property information conveniently via the Internet. Source: SLA Read More
- Intent to Buy (购买意向)The Intent to Buy replaces the Resale Checklist, which was used prior to 1 January 2018. Like the Resale Checklist, registering your Intent to(...) Read More
- Intent to Sell (销售意向)If you intend to sell an HDB Resale flat, you must register your Intent to Sell with HDB at least 7 days BEFORE you grant an Option to Purchase(...) Read More
- Intestate Succession Act (无遗嘱继承法令)In the absence of a will, your estate will be distributed in accordance to Singapore's Intestate Succession Act. This does not apply if you are(...) Read More
- In-principal approval / IPA (原则批准)In-principal approval is an approved loan amount given by the Bank based on the credit report and affordability of the borrower. It is not a(...) Read More
- j
- Joint Tenancy (共同租户契约 / 联名拥有)This is a term that describes joint ownership of a property by two or more owners, without division of the shares. Upon the death of any joint(...) Read More
- l
- Legal Requsition (产业调查书)Legal Requisition is needed when the Property is sold subject to the Purchaser’s solicitors receiving satisfactory replies to all requisitions(...) Read More
- Lift Upgrading Programme / LUP (建屋与发展局的 ’电梯翻新计划’)HDB blocks built before 1990 were not provided with complete lift access, however, under the Lift Upgrading Programme now, older HDB blocks are(...) Read More
- Loan Quantum (贷款额)The loan quantum or principal is the amount of money that you borrow. Source: Housing Loan SG Read More
- Loan Tenure (贷款期限)The period of time that you may take to fully repay your loan. Source: MAS Read More
- Loan-to-Value Ratio (贷款额与产业市值的比率)The housing loan amount represented as a percentage of the property's value. Thus, a house worth S$1,000,000 with a mortgage loan of S$500,000(...) Read More
- Lock-in Period (贷款合约中’禁止赎回’限制期 / 锁定期)The time period during which you will have to pay an early redemption charge (usually expressed as a percentage of the loan quantum) if you(...) Read More
- m
- Maintenance Fees (每月的保养费 / 杂费)Maintenance and service charges vary with the residential development. Part of the monthly maintenance contribution will be allocated to a(...) Read More
- Maintenance Fees (Building under Construction) (每月的保养费 / 杂费)Maintenance Fee As specified under the Sale and Purchase Agreement (S&P), you would need to pay the developer maintenance fee for the(...) Read More
- Management Corporation Strata Title / MCST (分层地契管理委员会)MCST, the Management Corporation Strata Title, refers to the managing body of a condominium or any compound which has multiple owners and shared(...) Read More
- Manner of Holding ( 股份拥有权方式)If there is more than 1 proposed owner, the proposed owners would need to decide on the manner of holding the flat upon the transfer of flat(...) Read More
- Minimum Occupation Period / MOP HDB (政府租屋的最低居住期限)This is the minimum period of time the HDB flat owners must physically occupy their flats before they are eligible to sell their flats in open(...) Read More
- Mortgage (抵押贷款)A home loan or mortgage is defined as a loan in which the borrower puts up the title deed to a property or real estate as collateral for the(...) Read More
- Mukim (马来文 - 指市外分区)马来文 - 指市外分区 Every land parcel in Singapore is uniquely identified by a lot number. This identifier has two components, namely the survey(...) Read More
- n
- Negative or Restrictive Covenants (负面契诺 / 约束性契诺)A negative covenant, also referred to as a restrictive covenant, is a promise not to do something such as not to build a fence or not to use the(...) Read More
- Negative Sale (负销售资产)Negative sale is after you sold your HDB flat, the resale price is sufficient to pay off the outstanding HDB or bank loan but not enough to(...) Read More
- Negligent Misrepresentation (疏忽的失实陈述)Negligent Misrepresentation occurs when a statement made by the Representor honestly believing in its truth (falling outside the scope of(...) Read More
- Neighbourhood Renewal Programme / NRP (邻里更新计划)The NRP focuses on block and precinct improvements, and is fully funded by the Government. Source: HDB Read More
- No-Sale Licence (Developer) (无销售执照)房屋发展商所申请的售屋牌照 – 此牌照只让发展商在屋子获得临时入伙证之后才可卖屋 Developers with No-sale Licence can only commence construction but are not allowed to sell any units(...) Read More
- Nominee (被提名人 / 代名人 / 指定人)1) a person or entity who is requested or named to act for another, such as an agent or trustee. 2) a potential successor to another's rights(...) Read More
- Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme(HDB) (建屋与发展局组屋申请计划中的‘非公民配偶’申请组别)NCS scheme is for Singapore Citizen buyer buying with with a spouse who is neither a Singapore Citizen nor a Singapore Permanent Resident(...) Read More
- Notary Public (公证人)A notary public (or notary or public notary) of the common law is a public officer constituted by law to serve the public in non-contentious(...) Read More
- Notice of Eviction (驱逐通知书)An Eviction Notice is a written letter to either comply with your rental or lease agreement (whether it's verbal or written) or vacate the(...) Read More
- Notice of Transfer (转让通知书)When any property is sold or transferred, the seller or transferor shall, within one month after the sale or transfer, give notice of the sale(...) Read More
- Notice of Vacant Possession (空置通知书)After Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) is obtained, owners will be served with the Notice of Vacant Possession through their solicitors,(...) Read More
- Notice Period (3 Months Redemption Notice) ( 三个月通知期限)Banks require 3 months’ notice for full repayment of the loan. If you refinance with another bank before this 3-month period, be prepared to pay(...) Read More
- Notice to Quit (Breaking Lease) (迁出通知书)A notice to quit is the notice often referred to as "eviction", given by a landlord to a tenant to leave the premises either by a certain date(...) Read More
- Novation (租约更替)A Novation Agreement is signed by the tenant with the landlord's consent totransfer the lease to another tenant, and no new deposit is paid to(...) Read More
- Null and Void (合约无效)It means ineffectual; nugatory; having no legal force or binding effect; unable, in law, to support the purpose for which it was intended. which(...) Read More
- o
- Offeree (Contact) (接受出价者)When it comes to contract law there are two parties—the offeror and the offeree. The offeror is the party who makes the offer. The offeree is(...) Read More
- Offeror (Contract) (出价者)When it comes to contract law there are two parties—the offeror and the offeree. The offeror is the party who makes the offer. The offeree is(...) Read More
- Official Assignee (OA) (Bankruptcy) (官方产业管理人)The Official Assignee is a public servant and an officer of the Court. The Official Assignee is assisted in her duties by the officers at the(...) Read More
- Option fee (Resale) (认购费 /买屋定金)An option fee is a fee that a buyer pays to the owner of a property in order to secure the option to buy that property Source: Singapore(...) Read More
- Option to Purchase / OTP (认购权)An option to purchase reserves the property excusively for the interested buyer for a short period of time, usually 2 weeks. Source:(...) Read More
- p
- Per Annum (每年)Refers to a unit measurement in property context ie, Mortgage interest rate, penalties chargeable etc. Source: Wiktionary Read More
- Periodic Lease / Tenancy (不固定的租约)Depending on the term of rent payment by the tenant, this form of tenancy can last from week to week, month to month or year to year. Either the(...) Read More
- Planning Permission (土地发展许可证)Planning permissionis given by URA for the development and building works including changing the use of premises Source: URA Read More
- Plot Ratio (容积率 / 地积比率)Defined as the permissible development intensity of a specified land parcel, the plot ratio determines the maximum gross floor area (GFA) of any(...) Read More
- Power of Attorney (授权书 / 授权者)A Power of Attorney (POA) is an instrument created by a person who appoints another person to act on his behalf. The creator of the POA is(...) Read More
- Progressive Payments (Building Under Construction) ( 渐进式付款)Progress payments They are like installments to be paid to the developer once a certain stage is completed. Here is a typical progress(...) Read More
- Property-Holding Entities / PHE (有形资产的持有房地产实体)A PHE is an entity which has at least 50% (i.e. asset ratio) of its total tangible assets comprising prescribed immovable properties ("PIP") in(...) Read More
- Proprietors (业主)Refers to Subsidiary Proprietors (i.e. unit owners) of the condo Source: BCA Read More
- r
- Reddendum (租约中提及所有关于租金的条款)Reddendum clause refers to the clause in a deed by which the grantor reserves something new to himself or herself out of that which s/ he(...) Read More
- Redemption (Mortgage) (赎回)When you mortgage your asset to a mortgagee (typically a bank), the ownership of the asset is transferred over to the mortgagee as a form of(...) Read More
- Refinance (再抵押贷款)Refinancing a home loan is an opportunity for homeowners to switch their homeloan to another bank for a lower interest rate. This can help you(...) Read More
- Refund of Stamp Duty (税务局退回印花税)ABSD refund on second residential property. Married couples comprising at least one Singapore citizen sold their first property within 6 months(...) Read More
- Resale Checklist for Buyer (妥转售核对清单)You need to complete and submit the checklist to HDB online via the Resale Checklist for Sellers/ Buyers e-Service at least 7 days before you(...) Read More
- Rescind / Rescission (作废 / 取消)In contract law, rescission is an equitable remedy which allows a contractual party to cancel the contract. Source: Singapore Legal Advice Read More
- Right of Re-Entry (重收 / 重收土地 / 楼房)It means that the landlord can obtain possession of the premises either by effecting a peaceable entry by himself, or by process of law through(...) Read More
- s
- Sale and Purchase Agreement / S&P (买卖合约)Sale & Purchase Agreement refers to a private contract between the seller and the buyer for the sale and purchase of a property. Source: URA Read More
- Sale Proceeds (售屋收益)Final sum of money to be received by the seller on the legal completion day of the property transaction. Source: Dollar And Sense Read More
- Share Value (Building under construction) (屋主所持公寓分层地契份额)The share value of a unit determines your share in the housing project. This is used to compute your share of contribution for the recurrent(...) Read More
- SIBOR (新元银行同业拆息率)Singapore Interbank Offer Rate (SIBOR) refers to the rate that financial institutions in Singapore lend/borrow unsecured funds to/from each(...) Read More
- Singapore Overnight Rate Average (新元隔夜利率)The Singapore Overnight Rate Average or SORA is the weighted average rate of all S$ overnight cash transactions brokered in Singapore between(...) Read More
- SOR (新元银行同业拆息率)Swap Offer Rate (SOR) is SIBOR plus lending costs incurred by the banks. It is as transparent as SIBOR that reflects market conditions. This(...) Read More
- Special and Detailed Control Plans / SDCP (特别控制计划)SDCP are development control plans, which include Parks and Waterbodies, Landed Housing Areas, Street Block, Envelop Control, Building Height(...) Read More
- Stamp Duty (印花税)Stamp duty is a tax on documents relating to the purchase or lease of a property. It is to be paid by the buyer within 14 days after the date of(...) Read More
- t
- Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) - Key Collection (临时入伙证 & 收钥匙)Only applicable to uncompleted properties. Receipt of TOP means keys can be collected and the property is ready for occupation. Issued by the(...) Read More
- Tenancy Agreement / TA (租约 / 租赁合约)A legal agreement / contract stipulating the terms, rental yield and tenure of the rental of a property. Source: Singapore Legal Advice Read More
- Tenancy-in-Common (分权共有 / 按权共有)Joint holding of a property, where each owner has a distinct share in the property. Shares owned need not be in equal portions. Upon the death(...) Read More
- Title Search (产业权契约的搜索)A search which shows whether a property has any prior encumbrance or lodgement; details of owners; area of the property, and whether the owner(...) Read More
- TOP (Building Under Construction) (临时入伙证)TOP Once Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) is issued and you have paid the progress payment due upon TOP, the developer will inform you of the(...) Read More
- v
- Valuation Report / VR (估价报告)Valuation Report is a common way of determining the value of aproperty through an opinion or the use of data. Appraisal based on location,(...) Read More
- w
- Warrant to Act (给于律师的授权书)The Warrant to Act is a short clause found at the end of the Letter of Engagement. It serves as evidence of your written consent that the law(...) Read More
- Without Prejudice To / Without Prejudice 在不损害… 的原则下 / 在不影响… 的情况下The “without prejudice” principle means statements made in a document marked “without prejudice” or made verbally on a “without prejudice”(...) Read More
- Writ of Seizure and Sale / WSS (法庭的查封与变卖令)A writ of seizure and sale allows a court bailiff to enter the Judgment Debtor's premises, and to seize and sell his movable property. ... If(...) Read More
- Writ of Summons WOS (法庭发出的传票)Law on Writ of Summons in Singapore. A writ of summons is a court document used to commence civil proceedings in Singapore. In most cases, the(...) Read More
- z
- Zoning (用途分区)Zoning is the process of dividing land in a municipality into zones (e.g. residential, industrial) in which certain land uses are permitted or(...) Read More