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Withdrawal Of Deferred Payment Scheme For Property Purchases
Posted on Friday, October 26, 2007 - 10:00 PM

The Government announced today the immediate withdrawal of the Deferred Payment Scheme (DPS) for property purchases in view of the strong economic and property market conditions.

Deferred Payment Scheme

In Oct 1997, the Government allowed developers to offer to purchasers of uncompleted private residential, commercial and industrial properties the option to defer part of the progress payments due after the initial 20% downpayment, to a later stage.

In Nov 2001, the Government further allowed developers to defer up to half of the initial 20% downpayment up to the issue of Temporary Occupation Permit or any time before that. These DPS were introduced at a time when the property market was lacklustre and the economy was in recession.

Buoyant property market and strong economic growth

The property market has since recovered and has been growing strongly in the last few years, driven by economic fundamentals including our robust economic growth and rise in wages. In view of the current buoyant property market, the Government has decided to withdraw the DPS for the sale of uncompleted private residential, commercial and industrial properties [1] with effect from 26 Oct 2007.

The removal of the DPS will also encourage greater financial prudence, as buyers will have to ensure that they have sufficient funds or are able to secure adequate loans from banks before they commit to buying a property.

Urban Redevelopment Authority
26 October 2007

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[1] Refers to projects where the Certificate of Statutory Completion and Certificates of Title or Subsidiary Strata Certificates of Title have not been issued.

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