Singapore lowers en bloc sale thresholds to ease aging property renewal

Singapore is making it easier for owners of ageing properties to sell en bloc by lowering the threshold for majority approval, Law and Home Affairs Minister Edwin Tong announced. Properties between 40 and 59 years old will now require 70 per cent owner approval to proceed with collective sales, down from the previous requirement. This adjustment recognises the escalating costs associated with maintaining older buildings and removes barriers to timely renewal. Tong explained that the revised threshold addresses a practical challenge facing owners of mid-life buildings, many of which face substantial repair and maintenance expenses as they age. By reducing the approval hurdle, the government aims to facilitate smoother property renewal and allow owners to realise value from their assets while managing long-term upkeep costs. The measure is expected to accelerate the turnover of older housing stock and support Singapore's broader urban renewal objectives.