Condo Living (Be Condo Savvy)

Discover what it means to live in a strata-titled condominium. Understand your rights, responsibilities, and key stakeholders.

Last updated 18 March 2026

High-rise condominium buildings at sunset, with city skyline and residential lights turned on.

Whether you are planning to purchase your first condominium unit or already live in one, it is important to understand what strata living involves. From knowing your rights and duties to working with the key stakeholders who manage and maintain the estate, being informed allows you to make better decisions and contributes to a pleasant community.

Key stakeholders in Strata properties

Here are the key stakeholders you will encounter when you live in a condo.

Be Condo Savvy

Diagram showing roles in condominium management — MCST with Subsidiary Proprietors, Management Council, Managing Agents, and external agencies.

Subsidiary Proprietors (SPs) are unit owners of the estate. Tenants are not SPs.

Management Corporation (MCST) consists of all SPs of the estate and are empowered under the Building (Strata Management) Act [(B(SM)A] to control and manage the common property. The spirit of the B(SM)A is for each MCST to exercise self-governance and manage its own affairs.

Management Council consists of a group of SPs elected at the annual general meeting to enable quicker decision-making on day-to-day operational matters.

Managing Agents (MA) may be employed by an MCST to perform certain duties in respect of the management and maintenance of their strata-titled development. Findings from a pilot study conducted by BCA indicated that MCSTs have reported encouraging satisfaction levels in the service performance of accredited MA firms and individuals.

Government Agencies such as the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and others that oversee various aspects of the estate [PDF, 47 KB]. The Commissioner of Buildings (COB), which is under BCA, performs the following administrative functions as stipulated under the Building (Strata Management) Act [(B(SM)A]:

Accept share values and approve maintenance charges
Monitor holding of annual general meeting (AGM) and lodgment of by-laws
Enforce offence provisions under the B(SM)A

What to know before and after purchasing a condo

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.

What to know as a condo owner

Owning a condominium unit means more than enjoying the space within your unit. It comes with responsibilities that help keep the estate running smoothly and protect its long-term value. Every resident plays an important part in maintaining a harmonious living environment.