When it comes to Singapore’s property market, rules can feel like fine print — until they directly affect your home or investment. One of the biggest shifts in recent years is the URA Harmonisation Rules.
Many think this only began in June 2023, but in truth, it’s been evolving for more than 20 years. June 2023 was just when URA officially packaged and named it. The whole goal? More transparency, smarter layouts, and fairer value for homebuyers.
From “Wastage” to Usable Space
Previously, buyers were often paying for space they couldn’t really use. Think oversized balconies, planter boxes, bay windows, or chunky air-con ledges.
Some projects had up to 21% of the unit counted as “wastage”. That’s money out of a buyer’s pocket, and extra margin for developers.
With Harmonisation, these “extra” spaces are now fully counted in GFA (Gross Floor Area). Which means:
✅ You pay for more genuine, usable living space
✅ Layouts are more efficient and practical
✅ Oversized, impractical designs are discouraged
Why Layout = Profitability
This isn’t just about comfort — it’s also about future resale value.
One example:
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A 2014 project with irregular room shapes saw 37% of resales unprofitable.
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Meanwhile, a 2015 project with well-lit, regular-shaped rooms and efficient layouts had almost zero unprofitable resales.
The takeaway? Layout efficiency = stronger resale confidence.
What This Means for Buyers & Investors
If you’re shortlisting projects, here’s what to look out for:
🔹 Regular-shaped rooms (no odd corners or “dead” space)
🔹 Good ventilation & natural light (always a premium)
🔹 Smart price-to-space value (don’t get caught by wasted floor area in older projects)
And here’s the exciting part: new Harmonised projects often come with lower land costs, which developers pass on as more attractive launch prices. That’s why we’ve seen launches like Lentor Central (93% sold) and Emerald of Katong (99% sold) fly off the shelves.
Bringing It Back to You
At the end of the day, Harmonisation is about honesty in sizing, better design, and smarter choices.
So if you’re planning your next move — whether a dream home or an investment property — keep this rule in mind. It could mean the difference between a home that feels right and one that struggles at resale.
Projects like The Sen (D21 RCR) are great examples of how Harmonisation + lower land cost = real opportunities.
✨ If you’d like me to break down layouts or upcoming launches for you, let’s connect. I’m always here to make property decisions clearer, simpler, and smarter. :’)
