New rules to safeguard homebuyers, boost liveability and functionality: Chee Hong Tat

Ashley Lo

/ EdgeProp Singapore

November 13, 2025 9:11 PM SGT

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Chee: [New regulations] to provide upfront clarity to homebuyers on the layout plans, and reduce possible disagreements between developers and buyers downstream (Photo: Samuel Isaac Chua/EdgeProp Singapore)

The government will work with industry stakeholders, including the Real Estate Developers’ Association of Singapore (REDAS), to strengthen safeguards for homebuyers, said Chee Hong Tat, Minister for National Development, at the REDAS 66th Anniversary Dinner on Nov 13.

The new regulations, which will take effect next year, will require developers to provide clearer floor plans that indicate structural walls, lift shafts, utility chambers and pedestrian crossings. This aims to guide buyers more accurately in their purchase decisions.

"This is to provide upfront clarity to homebuyers on the layout plans, and reduce possible disagreements between developers and buyers downstream,” Chee said.

Developers will also be required to disclose their past Construction Quality Assessment System (CONQUAS) bandings and project track records. This will allow buyers to compare quality standards across developers and identify those that consistently deliver well-built projects, he added.

Longer defects liability period for homebuyers

The defects liability period (DLP) and the point at which homebuyers become liable for maintenance charges will also be adjusted. Instead of the 15th day after the progress payment notice is issued at the Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) stage, this will be extended to the 35th day.

"This better aligns the defects liability period with the time when homebuyers actually take possession of their units, as developers currently have 21 days to deliver possession after collecting the progress payment,” Chee explained.

Enhanced CONQUAS framework to focus on liveability

To ensure that construction standards evolve with buyers’ needs, the government has worked with industry players, including REDAS, to enhance the CONQUAS framework for private residential developments.

Introduced in 1989, CONQUAS is the national benchmark for assessing building quality, providing a systematic framework for measuring workmanship against set standards.

The updated framework will place greater emphasis on functionality and liveability issues that matter most to homeowners—such as water seepage and ponding—while reducing checks on minor aesthetic issues like stains and tonality. About 30% of defects categories that do not significantly affect liveability will be removed.

"Homeowners can look forward to better quality homes with fewer defects that impact functionality and liveability,” Chee said.

Developers and builders, in turn, will benefit from faster and more efficient assessments. Firms with consistently strong CONQUAS bandings can enjoy time savings of up to 20% in their assessment durations.

Streamlined process for securing showflat sites

The government is also addressing developers’ challenges in securing sites for sales galleries and showflats. URA and the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) have pre-identified a list of vacant sites that developers may use, starting from Nov 14, via SLA’s portal for Temporary Occupation Licences (TOL).

This move is expected to reduce approval timelines by about six weeks, halving the time required under the current process, said Chee.

Developers building within the Central Area may now obtain upfront approval for a three-year TOL for showflats within the same zone—an extension from the previous cap of up to two years. Renewals beyond the initial three years may be considered closer to expiry, subject to agency approvals and site conditions.

"We welcome the streamlining of TOL requirements, which directly responds to members’ feedback on the challenges of securing showflat sites,” a REDAS spokesperson said. "The pre-identified sites for showflat use will help shorten preparation timelines and give developers greater certainty in their planning.”

Sustained housing supply to meet strong demand

To meet robust housing demand, the government has increased the supply of both public and private homes in recent years and will continue to sustain this elevated pipeline.

For the first half of 2026, the government will release land for about 4,500 private residential units under the Government Land Sales (GLS) programme—comparable to the supply for the second half of 2025. This will bring the private housing supply pipeline to more than 58,000 units between 2025 and 2027.

Similarly, HDB will launch around 55,000 Build-to-Order (BTO) flats over the same three-year period, up from the earlier target of 50,000.

The increased private housing supply will form part of the strategies outlined in the Draft Master Plan 2025, which is slated for finalisation in December.

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