Before buying a landed home in Singapore, ask the seller for the approved plans and compare them with the property you viewed. Pay particular attention to anything added or enclosed, such as a rear kitchen, covered yard or porch. URA advises buyers to check for unauthorised works or extensions because they may become liable after taking over the property.
If you see a difference, ask the seller for the records for that particular work. Your conveyancing lawyer can advise how to handle the issue in the purchase, and an appropriate building professional can help read the drawings and assess the difference. Read URA’s guidance for buyers of private property.
- Ask for the approved plans for the exact property.
- Walk through each storey and mark any differences you notice.
- Ask which document covers each extension and when it was approved.
- Resolve material questions before relying on the space or its renovation potential.
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Compare like with like
| What you see at the house | What to look for in the records |
|---|---|
| Enclosed rear kitchen | Whether the footprint and enclosure appear in the applicable plans |
| Roof over a yard or car porch | Whether the structure and its extent are shown |
| Additional room or altered access | Whether the relevant storey drawing shows the same arrangement |
| Several drawings for different years | Which plans cover the later works and which drawings they supersede |
Compare the full drawing and its references. A photograph from a listing or a layout prepared for marketing can help you locate the rooms during a viewing. Use the applicable approved records to investigate the extension itself.
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Ask about the specific change
Imagine a family intends to use an enclosed rear area as its main kitchen. The seller shares an older plan showing that area as an open yard. Ask for the approval and drawing covering the enclosure. If the seller cannot provide them, URA identifies a planning-records request as another route. URA’s service says written consent from the owner is required to submit a request for planning records. See URA’s planning records service.
Take photos or make notes with permission and give your advisers the exact question. Ask how the answer would affect your intended use, purchase conditions or budget. If you also plan future work near the frontage, check whether a road reserve affects the lot.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I assume a longstanding extension was approved?
Ask for the plans and approval records. The age of the work does not establish its approval status.
What if I intend to remove it after buying?
Discuss the current status and proposed removal with your lawyer and building professional before committing. Ask whether your intended works require separate approvals.