Singapore Residential Property Types

Category	Types of Housing
Public (HDB)	2-room flexi flat, 3-room flat, 4-room flat, 5-room flat, 3Gen flat, Executive flat, Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) flat, executive maisonette, jumbo flat, HDB terrace house
Public-Private Hybrid	Executive condominium (EC), Housing and Urban Development Company (HUDC)
Private	Condominium, Apartment, Terrace, Semi-detached, Cluster, Townhouse, Shophouse, Bungalow, Good Class Bungalow (GCB), Housing and Urban Development Company (HUDC) flat

Public Housing – HDB

Public housing in Singapore is managed by the state’s Housing and Development Board (HDB), hence their flats are commonly termed ‘HDBs’. Over 80% of Singapore’s population live in an HDB flat.

HDB flats can be sold as new units during Build-To-Order (BTO) launches, or as resale HDB flats, which are sold in the secondary market.

HDB Flat Type	Size (per square metre)
2-Room Flexi	36 sqm (Type 1), 45 sqm (Type 2)
3-Room	60 to 65 sqm
4-Room	90 to 93 sqm
5-Room	110 to 112 sqm
3Gen	Up to 115 sqm
Executive Flat	Up to 130 sqm
Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) flat	Up to 120 sqm
Executive Maisonette	Up to 214 sqm
Jumbo Flat	Up to 170 sqm
HDB Terrace House	Up to 178 sqm

HDB Flat Types

2-Room Flexi

Seniors aged 55 and above may purchase these flats with leases from 15 to 45 years (in five-year steps), as long as the lease covers until they and their spouse reach at least 95 years old.

First-timer singles above 35, and families buying their first or second HDB flat, can purchase 2-Room Flexi flats with a 99-year lease.

Sizes:

Type 1: 36 sqm (387.5 sq ft)
Type 2: 45 sqm (484.4 sq ft)

HDB introduced Community Care Apartments in the February 2021 BTO launch. These 2-Room Flexi units come with a subscription-based service package to assist elderly residents (65+).

3-Room

Practical for households with limited finances and a small family. Two bedrooms (one master with ensuite). Typical sizes: about 60–65 sqm (645.8–699.6 sq ft).

4-Room

Suited to couples planning children. Approximately 90–93 sqm (968.8–1,001 sq ft) with three bedrooms, including a master with ensuite bathroom.

5-Room

About 110–112 sqm (1,184–1,205 sq ft). Ideal for larger families; three bedrooms, including a master with ensuite bathroom.

3-Gen

Created for multi-generational families. At roughly 115–130 sqm, they are among the biggest HDB flats and include four bedrooms, two with ensuites.

Eligibility: married/engaged couples with parents, or widow/divorcee with kids and parents. At least one parent must be a Singapore Citizen or PR; household income ceiling is $21,000.

First launched at Yishun in 2013. Some units include a study or balcony.

Executive Maisonette

Two-storey HDB homes that are no longer built, superseded by the EC scheme. Limited supply remains in mature estates (e.g., Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Bedok, Bukit Batok, Hougang, Jurong East, Pasir Ris, Tampines, etc.).

Jumbo Flat

Born in the 1990s by merging two HDB units in remote estates to clear unsold stock. Typical size: 133.96–170 sqm (approx. 1,442–1,830 sq ft); usually at least seven rooms. Some have balconies.

HDB Terrace House

Built in the 1950s by SIT and later taken over by HDB. About 285 units exist in Whampoa and Queenstown; roughly 900 sq ft per floor over two storeys. 99-year leases were issued when HDB assumed control.

DBSS Flats

Introduced in 2005 (public housing built by private developers) for buyers wanting higher-spec flats. Suspended indefinitely in July 2011 after pricing and design controversies. In total, 13 DBSS projects (≈8,650 units) were launched before suspension. No option to privatise DBSS units.

Public-Private Hybrid

Executive Condominiums (EC)

Executive condominiums (EC) are private-public properties developed to cater to “sandwich class” Singaporeans who exceed HDB income limits but cannot yet afford private property.

The monthly income ceiling for EC eligibility is $16,000. ECs are constructed and sold by private developers, while land cost is partly subsidised—so prices are typically lower than comparable private condos.

Applicants may use CPF grants. Facilities are similar to private condos (gym, clubhouse, pools, gated security). New EC buyers must fulfil a five-year MOP; only after 5 years can they sell to SC/PRs, and after 10 years to foreigners. Tenure is 99 years.

A key appeal is eventual **privatisation**—owners can sell as private property on the open market, which can be attractive for well-located projects.

Housing and Urban Development Company (HUDC)

HUDC flats (first built in 1974) were aimed at families who could not afford private property but sought better housing than standard HDB flats.

Units were generally larger—about 139–158 sqm—and enjoyed amenities such as landscaped grounds and covered parking. New builds ended in 1984.

From the mid-1990s, many HUDC estates were privatised with resident consent; by 2017, all 18 projects had been privatised. Today, references to HUDC typically mean **ex-HUDC** flats.

Private Properties

Non-Landed Property (Private Condominiums)

These are privately owned from the start, with facilities such as gated security, gyms, swimming pools, and sports amenities. Tenure is typically freehold or 99-year leasehold.

They are the most common upgrade choice for HDB owners due to relatively lower prices compared to landed properties.

Non-Landed Property (Apartments)

Similar to condominiums but usually part of smaller developments, with fewer amenities. Apartments are more affordable than private condos but pricier than HDB flats.

Some low-rise apartments, known as walk-ups, have no elevators and are accessed via stairs.

Landed Property (Inter-Terrace and Corner Terrace)

Rows of identical houses that share walls. Corner terraces have larger land areas and more privacy.

Landed Property (Semi-Detached)

Single-family landed homes sharing one wall with an adjoining house. Both typically share similar layouts and exterior designs.

Landed Property (Bungalows)

Standalone homes with land sizes from 400 sqm to 1,400 sqm. Smaller and less costly than GCBs, but still highly priced.

Landed Property (Good Class Bungalows)

The most prestigious landed homes in Singapore, with land areas over 1,400 sqm. They feature expansive gardens, pools, and premium finishes, commanding the highest prices.

Landed Property (Cluster Houses)

Landed homes within gated developments that share condo-style facilities such as pools and gyms, combining space and privacy with community living.

Landed Property (Townhouses)

Hybrid homes that combine the structure of a landed house with shared condo facilities. Townhouses offer space, privacy, and access to communal amenities.

Landed Property (Shophouses)

Conservation heritage properties prized for their rarity and architectural value. Often freehold or 999-year leasehold, these are located in prime heritage districts and fetch premium prices.

Talk to AsianPrime Unsure which type fits your needs? Get a quick, personalised recommendation.