by Kenny Lee Historical policy and news archive · Source publication: 2022-09-01 · Implementation: GLS sites from 1 September 2022; relevant applications from 1 June 2023. Prepared retrospectively on 3 October 2026; the archive date follows the cited source. Historical rules must be matched to the relevant transaction date.
The announcement
URA, SLA, BCA and SCDF harmonised floor area definitions. Key changes included measurement to the middle of walls, inclusion of strata areas as GFA and exclusion of voids from strata area. Application dates and transitional permissions determine which framework applies to a development.
What this means for property planning
Price per square foot needs a consistent area denominator. A smaller stated area under a revised measurement framework does not automatically mean a smaller usable home. Compare floorplans, internal dimensions, balcony provision and the total price before judging value from psf alone.
For a buyer comparing an older launch with a newer one, record the measurement basis beside the price data. Then compare furniture placement, storage and the layout’s circulation space. A consistent viewing checklist is more useful than assuming that two advertised areas were measured identically. This policy also explains why a developer’s land rate per GFA cannot be directly equated with the selling price per strata square foot.
Before acting
Establish your household profile, property ownership, financing and transaction dates. Obtain a written eligibility or financing assessment where needed. A historical announcement cannot establish your present eligibility, tax liability or borrowing limit.
Source: Original official release or dated news report. Reviewed 3 October 2026.