Singapore Proposes Lower Consent Thresholds for En Bloc Sales

The Singapore government is proposing amendments to lower the owner consent thresholds required for collective sales of ageing buildings.

These changes aim to facilitate the redevelopment of older properties, which often struggle to reach the high consensus levels needed for en bloc sales. By easing these requirements, the government intends to support urban renewal, increase the overall housing supply, and rejuvenate older commercial districts.

Under the proposed legislation, the consent threshold for developments aged 40 to 59 years would be lowered from 80% to 70% ^[1]. This reduction targets a significant portion of the city's ageing housing stock, potentially unlocking land for new residential projects.

For even older properties, the proposal is more aggressive. The consent threshold for developments over 60 years old would be lowered to 65% ^[2]. This shift represents a strategic move to address the most dilapidated structures that have historically faced the highest hurdles in achieving collective sale agreements.

While the measures make it easier for a majority of owners to sell their properties, the government is also introducing stronger safeguards. These protections are intended for owners who do not wish to sell, ensuring that minority rights are balanced against the goal of urban regeneration.

Legislators said the move is necessary to prevent the stagnation of older districts. By lowering the bar for consent, the state hopes to attract more developers to these sites, which would otherwise remain underutilized due to the difficulty of coordinating a large number of individual owners.