Before owning a Condo: What to know
Purchasing a condo unit, whether for your use or as an investment, is a significant commitment. Beyond the financial implications, it comes with long-term responsibilities that affect not only the owner but the estate’s community. It’s important to go through the pre-purchase checklists and choose developers and contractors known for delivering consistent and reliable quality.
Last updated 5 March 2026
Thinking of buying and staying in a condominium? Learn about the roles, responsibilities, and considerations associated with private property ownership before making a purchase.
Research quality workmanship
Researching enables you to purchase from developers and contractors with good track records and who consistently deliver quality.
Begin your research by visiting the Quality Housing Portal before committing to a private home purchase. The Quality Housing Portal (QHP) platform allows potential condo owners like you to get information on the past construction workmanship and quality performance of developers and builders. Consider the quality segment a developer belongs to before making your property purchase.
Understanding CONQUAS Banding
The CONQUAS Banding system rates developers, builders, and projects from Band 1, which means a very low incidence of major defects, to Band 6, which indicates higher incidences of major defects.
Performance bands indicating levels of major defects and their implications for developers or projects.
Band | Meaning | Implication |
|---|---|---|
🟩 Band 1 | Very low incidence of major defects | Top-performing developers/projects |
🟨 Band 2 | Low incidence of major defects | Still strong performance |
🟧 Band 3–5 | Moderate to higher defect levels | Average or inconsistent quality |
🟥 Band 6 | High incidence of major defects | Poor quality; buyer caution advised |
Bands 1 and 2 recognise the good performing firms that have consistently delivered private residential projects with no or very low incidences of major defects.
Pre-purchase checklist
Before committing to a new or resale unit, make sure you run through the New Condominiums [PDF, 78.8 KB] and Resale Condominiums [PDF, 146 KB] checklists. They cover key factors to consider when choosing a condo estate.
Note that these checklists are general guides and not exhaustive. Always do your due diligence before making a purchase.
Owner responsibilities
Living in a condo means sharing community space with others. To make condo living pleasant, all stakeholders – including individual unit owners and tenants—must understand and actively perform their duties and responsibilities in condo management.
Here is what you need to know to be a great neighbour and responsible owner.
Attend and vote at AGMs (Annual General Meetings)
As a unit owner, you are a subsidiary proprietor, and you have the right to vote on key decisions affecting your condo’s future.
Why it matters:
Decisions made during AGMs impact your daily living and property value.
Examples include motions to charge for additional carpark lots or upgrading common areas.
Be considerate in shared spaces
Good neighbourly behaviour makes condo living pleasant for everyone and promotes a conflict-free environment.
✓ Do:
Keep noise levels down, especially at night.
Return shared equipment (like gym items) after use.
X Don’t:
Block shared corridors with personal items. These are common property and must remain clear for all.
Abide all by-laws
Once enacted by the Management Corporation (MC), by-laws apply to everyone, even those who didn’t vote for them.
Pay monthly maintenance contributions on time
Contributions go toward the maintenance of the estate’s common property and facilities and cover the cost of future major repairs or upgrades. Condo management—through the Management Corporation—oversees how these funds are used.
The arrangement for paying maintenance contributions, as well as penalties for late payment, may vary from one estate to another. The contribution amount is typically reviewed annually at the AGM.