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THE LEVEL GROUND

Meet rental demand by letting developers keep ownership of some condo units without hefty penalties

With the ABSD regime curbing investment demand, fewer private homes may be available for lease in future 

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Leslie Yee

Leslie Yee

Published Mon, Jun 22, 2026 · 12:15 PM
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    • With private homes largely bought for owner-occupation, might a future shortage of rental homes loom?
    • With private homes largely bought for owner-occupation, might a future shortage of rental homes loom? PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN, BT

    [SINGAPORE] Building wealth from investing in private homes in Singapore can make sense given the country’s safe haven status in a turbulent world.

    However, building ownership of a portfolio of private homes for leasing out and achieving capital gains via divestments is tricky.

    A Singapore citizen pays additional buyer’s stamp duty (ABSD) of 20 per cent for buying a second home and 30 per cent for buying a third and subsequent home.

    Singapore residential propertyResidentialRental MarketCONDOSABSDProperty developersThe Level Ground

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