A temporary Occupation permit is granted by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) after a thorough inspection of the premises to ensure safety and living conditions.
Developers may choose to apply for the Temporary Occupation Permit or wait till the project is fully built and handover through the application of the Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC).
This means that while TOP is optional, CSC is compulsory.
So what’s the difference?
You need to first understand what’s the Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP).
What’s a Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP)?
Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) in simple terms is a license that allows homeowners to move in and occupy the development while construction for facilities is ongoing.
The development is more or less complete but not yet ready for a full handover.
An issuance of TOP means the designated living space is fit for inhabitation while amenities such as swimming pools, and playgrounds still require some work.
Successful application of CSC undergoes more stringent checks as it certifies the development is completed in proper order and ready for full handover.
What’s Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) For?
Why bother with a Temporary (TOP) occupation permit when CSC is the ultimate declaration of approval?
TOP gives homeowners an earlier move-in date and is deemed safe for occupation despite ongoing work.
It allows developers some flexibility as the requirements for CSC is harder to fulfill.
The issuance of the temporary occupation permit also means that homeowners who intend to rent their new private residential units can do so.
A temporary occupation permit (TOP) has the benefits of immediate occupancy.
As a homeowner, TOP means you’re given the green light to rent out the unit or start renovating the home to your liking.
But the TOP status means that the building still belongs to the developer and has not been fully handed over.
On this note, we would like to highlight that upon TOP and key collection, homeowners need to do a check for defects.
This is called the Defects Liability Period (DLP) where the developer is liable to rectify any defects.
It is advisable to do this within 7 days of receiving your keys.
For homeowners, you will need to submit a written notice to the developer and they’re liable to complete all rectification works for 1 full year.
What’s the difference between TOP and CSC?
| Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) | Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC) |
|---|---|
| Optional by Developer | Compulsory for handover |
| Allows homeowners to occupy the living areas of the development with ongoing works. | Allows for the development to be legally occupied when CSC is granted. |
| – | TOP can be granted while applying for CSC. |
| 25% Payment | 10% Payment |
What is the Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC)?
CSC is the final declaration that the development is completed in all aspects of construction.
All facilities and amenities are fully constructed and have met all requirements, making the estate compliant and ready for handover.
Generally, CSC is obtained 1 year after TOP.
How to obtain a temporary occupation permit
This is done by the developer and homeowners can only wait with no action needed on their end.
- The developer appoints a qualified person such as a registered architect or professional engineer to coordinate the inspection of the site with BCA.
- If the inspection is successful, relevant documentation is to be submitted to the respective authorities by the developer for approval.
How long will it take for a property to obtain a TOP?
Upon successful inspection and submission of documents, the developer can then apply with the Commissioner of Building Control for the issuance of a TOP temporary occupation permit.
The entire process can take up to 4 weeks.
Express Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP)
In some cases, the Express TOP temporary occupation permit, as the name suggests, is approved by expediting the process to a time frame of 1 working day.
The requirements are similar to regular TOP where the same process of inspection and submission of documentation is required.
However, with a fee of $500 or $1000 for minor and major projects respectively, Express TOP can be issued.
How to Check TOP Date for Condo
For any prospective condo owner or any interested party, it is important to look at the TOP (Temporary Occupation Permit) date, which shows when the condo is legally habitable.
The TOP date can typically be checked by:
Contacting the Developer:
The most effective way to determine the TOP date is to go directly to the developer. They should give the prospective buyer the expected completion date of the house and any other information on the construction.
BCA’s Website:
Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA) keeps records of building projects, including TOP dates. On their website, there is information that allows one to look for specific projects to determine their TOP status.
URA Space:
These online tools include URA Space, which has information about land use and private residential property transactions detailed with TOP date.
Property Agents:
Your property agent can also give you the TOP date since they have access to property databases that contain such information.
Temporary Occupation Permit BCA (Building and Construction Authority)
The Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) in Singapore is provided by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).
This permit enables the occupation of a new building that is legally habitable but may be partly complete or may have some facilities yet to be completed such as landscaping.
Here are key points about the TOP from BCA:
Inspection and Compliance:
Before the TOP is issued, BCA demands an inspection to check whether the building is compliant with safety regulations. The developer must prove that all the provisions of the building codes and regulations have been met.
Application Process:
A TOP application is filed by the developer. The documents may include the Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC) and the results of the inspections.
Public Access:
The TOP status of different developments can be found in the public domain. This keeps the potential buyers and other stakeholders aware of the status of the property.
Temporary Occupation Permit Singapore
The TOP or the Temporary Occupation Permit is an important milestone in property development in Singapore.
It means that construction has been approved to be inhabited even though some parts of the construction may still be under construction.
Eligibility:
TOPs are only awarded to properties that have achieved specific safety standards and have had their necessary utilities connected.
Benefits of TOP:
Receiving a TOP enables developers to proceed with the handover process to owners, and owners can commence interior work or occupy the property.
Duration and Validity:
The time taken before being awarded a TOP depends on the level of the project’s difficulty. After being issued, the TOP remains effective until the CSC is obtained, which finalizes all legal processes of the building.
Conclusion
It is essential to know the procedure for obtaining a Temporary Occupation Permit and its prerequisites for buyers, sellers, or developers of real estate in Singapore.
In terms of checking the TOP date for a condo or in the process of obtaining a permit through BCA, it is imperative to have the right information for all the relevant parties to be informed and be able to make the necessary preparations.
It is advisable to check these details with the authorities or seek advice from a property expert to avoid legal or bureaucratic complications.
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