SingaporeCan the government acquire my property for private companies?
Yes, the Singapore government can acquire your property for public use under the Land Acquisition Act, not the Residential Property Act — the RPA does not govern compulsory acquisition.
What the Law Says
The Residential Property Act (RPA) does not empower the government to acquire private property for public use. Compulsory acquisition in Singapore is governed exclusively by the Land Acquisition Act, which provides the legal framework for such acquisitions.
The Residential Property Act (Cap. 274, 2009 Rev Ed) regulates ownership and transfer of residential property — particularly by foreigners and entities — but contains no provisions on compulsory acquisition. Its scope is limited to restrictions on purchase, disposal, and control of residential property.
In contrast, the Land Acquisition Act (Cap. 152, 1985 Rev Ed) authorises the Minister for National Development to acquire land for public purposes, including infrastructure, housing, and national development projects. It sets out procedures for notice, objection, valuation, and payment of compensation.
Under the Land Acquisition Act, acquisition must be for a 'public purpose', and affected owners are entitled to 'fair compensation' determined by the Collector of Land Revenue or, on appeal, the High Court.
What to Do
Check if a formal Notice of Intention to Acquire has been issued under the Land Acquisition Act.
Review the stated public purpose and submit written objections within 21 days of the notice.
Obtain an independent valuation to assess whether the compensation offered is fair.
Appeal the compensation amount to the High Court within 42 days if dissatisfied.
Seek legal advice from a Singapore-qualified lawyer specialising in land law.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.