Many buyers wonder is there any difference between an apartment and a condominium development. However the importance of the titles has diminished with allowing foreigners to purchase apartments in non-condominium developments of less than 6 levels without the need to obtain prior approval.

In 1973, foreign ownership of private residential property has been restricted to condominium development and a flat with 6 levels or more development including HUDC Phase I, Phase II flats and privatised HUDC Phase III and IV flats. The Act aims to give Singaporeans a stake in the country by being able to buy and possess their own residential property at an affordable price and also encourage foreign talent by allowing permanent residents and foreign companies who make an economic contribution to Singapore to purchase such properties for their own occupation.

However the Residential Property Act (RPA) was then amended on 19 July 2005 to allow foreigners to purchase apartments in non-condominium developments of less than 6 levels without the need to obtain prior approval. Therefore it is no longer important for developer to obtain condominium title to allow foreigners to purchase. The importance of condominium title has diminished with the waiver of the act for allowing only condominium to be purchased by foreigners. Developers do not need to rush to obtain the condominium title to broaden their market catchment to allow foreigners to purchase.

However if you still insist to know the difference between the two titles: Condominium requires a larger land area of at least 4,000 sqm, and is usually more generous provision of communal and recreational facilities in condominium flats. One more plus point, it is under the regulation that its site coverage should not exceed 40%. Therefore you will see that much of the space is dedicated to communal facilities which makes the development more spacious in terms of planning. The communal facilities are under the common ownership of the residents and are provided for their enjoyment. The residential units are only allowed strata subdivision.