Expatriates in Singapore realize that it is dreadfully costly to rent a hotel room when they plan to stay for a considerable length of time in the city-state. If a expatriate owned a residential property in Singapore, the costly dilemma could have been averted.

The Singapore government does not restrict foreigners from purchasing or owning residential properties in the country.

The Residential Property Act of Singapore basically stands behind Singapore nationals in their purchase of their own residential properties by offering reasonable prices. Moreover, the act enables expatriates who are recognized by the government officials to be capable of of contributing to the financial prosperity of the city-state to buy residential properties in Singapore.

Even without any licenses or approval from the Singapore government, an expat may purchase non-restricted residential properties. Non-restricted residential properties are identified as any of the following:

- apartment flats within a structure that is not higher than six floors – condominium units in authorized condo development properties stipulated in the Planning Act – a lease contract on a restricted residential property; the contract must not go beyond 7 years

An approval from Singapore’s Minister of Law is required of foreigners who want to own all units in an apartment or condominium in an accredited development property.

Likewise, a foreign national without any prior accreditation from Singapore’s Minister of Law cannot purchase residential properties that are classified as restricted.

The following are considered restricted residential properties by the Residential Property Act of Singapore:

- a vacant residential lot – townhouses, separate or semi-linked homes, or terraced houses standing on residential properties – properties not approved for condo development under the Planning Act

In applying for an official sanction to be able to own a restricted residential property, the expatriate must fill out a form and, together with the required supporting papers, send this to the Singapore Land Authority. The Singapore Land Authority is responsible for appraising and approving the qualifications of foreign national whether he or she will be qualified to purchase a restricted residential property.

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