SingaporeWhat is a restrictive covenant?
A restrictive covenant is a private agreement that limits how land can be used, and in Singapore, it must be made in writing and signed by the covenantor to be enforceable.
What the Law Says
The Conveyancing and Law of Property Act (CLPA) sets the basic legal requirements for restrictive covenants in Singapore.
A restrictive covenant is a promise made by a landowner (the covenantor) to another person (the covenantee) not to do something on their land — for example, not to build above a certain height or not to use the land for commercial purposes.
Under Singapore law, such a covenant must meet formal requirements to be valid and enforceable. It must be created in writing and signed by the person making the promise (the covenantor).
Once properly created, a restrictive covenant can 'run with the land', meaning it binds future owners of the land — not just the original parties — provided certain conditions are met, such as the covenant touching and concerning the land and being intended to benefit adjoining or nearby land.
Statutory TextAll contracts relating to land or any interest in land, all assignments of any interest in land, and all powers of attorney relating to land or any interest in land, shall be made in writing and signed by the party to be charged therewith or by his agent thereunto lawfully authorised in writing.
— Conveyancing and Law of Property Act, s. 3 — Contracts relating to land
What to Do
Ensure any restrictive covenant is recorded in writing.
Have the covenantor sign the document personally or through a lawfully authorised agent.
Register the covenant with the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) if it is intended to bind future owners.
Seek legal advice to confirm the covenant touches and concerns the land and benefits identifiable land.
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.