Answer
Caveat on Property — Singapore 2026
What a caveat is, why your lawyer lodges one after OTP exercise, and how to check if a property has one.
Answer: A caveat is a legal notice lodged with SLA that protects your interest in a property. Your conveyancing lawyer lodges a purchaser's caveat after you exercise the OTP. Filing fee is $64.45 (bundled into legal fees of $2,500–$4,000). It lasts 5 years but gets replaced at completion when ownership transfers. To check if a property has a caveat, order a title search on SLA INLIS for $5.25. Always search before committing to buy.
Types of Caveats in Singapore
| Type | Who Lodges | Duration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchaser's caveat | Buyer (via lawyer) | 5 years | Protects buyer after OTP exercise |
| Lender's caveat | Bank / mortgagee | 5 years | Secures loan interest before mortgage registration |
| Owner's caveat | Registered owner | No expiry | Prevents fraud / unauthorised dealings |
| Beneficiary's caveat | Trust beneficiary | 5 years | Protects beneficial interest in trust property |
Most buyers only deal with the purchaser's caveat. Your lawyer handles everything.
Caveat in the Buying Timeline
| Step | When | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| OTP granted | Day 0 | You pay 1% option fee. No caveat yet. |
| OTP exercised | Day 14–21 | You pay 4% exercise fee. Lawyer appointed. |
| Caveat lodged | Day 15–23 | Purchaser's caveat filed with SLA ($64.45) |
| Completion | Week 8–12 | Ownership transfers. Caveat replaced by registration. |
Caveat Costs Breakdown
| Item | Cost (incl. GST) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lodge a caveat | $64.45 | SLA filing fee |
| Withdraw a caveat | $64.45 | If deal falls through |
| Title search (INLIS) | $5.25 | Check existing caveats on any property |
| Court removal application | $5,000–$15,000 | If caveator refuses to withdraw (rare) |
Caveat lodgement is bundled into your conveyancing lawyer's fees. You don't pay SLA directly.
Know your total buying costs
Caveat fees are just one piece. Stamp duty, legal fees, and cash down payment add up fast. Use the calculator to see the full picture.
FAQ
What is a caveat on property in Singapore?
A caveat is a legal notice lodged with the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) that flags your interest in a property on the land register. Think of it as planting a flag — it warns anyone searching the title that you have a claim. For buyers, a purchaser's caveat is lodged after you exercise the Option to Purchase (OTP). It prevents the seller from selling the same property to someone else or creating any new encumbrances without your knowledge. Without it, you're unprotected between OTP exercise and completion.
How much does it cost to lodge a caveat?
The SLA filing fee for lodging a caveat is $64.45 (inclusive of GST). Your conveyancing lawyer handles the lodgement as part of their legal fees ($2,500-$4,000 for a typical purchase), so you don't pay it separately. If you need to withdraw the caveat later, that's another $64.45. The caveat itself is essentially free — it's the lawyer's time that costs money, and it's bundled into your conveyancing package.
When is a caveat lodged and how long does it last?
Your lawyer lodges the purchaser's caveat immediately after you exercise the OTP — typically within 1-2 business days. A purchaser's caveat lasts 5 years from the date of lodgement. In practice, it gets replaced or withdrawn at completion when ownership transfers to you. If the deal falls through, the seller's lawyer will demand withdrawal of the caveat, and you must comply (or face a court application to remove it). Other types: a lender's caveat (lodged by your bank) also lasts 5 years; an owner's caveat has no expiry.
How do I check if there is a caveat on a property?
Search on SLA's INLIS (Integrated Land Information Service) at www.sla.gov.sg. Order a title search for $5.25 — it shows all registered interests including caveats, mortgages, and encumbrances. You'll see who lodged the caveat, when, and the nature of their claimed interest. For HDB flats, the HDB title search is available through HDB's e-services. Always do a title search before committing to buy — if there's an existing caveat from another buyer, that's a red flag.
What happens if the seller refuses to remove a caveat?
If you're the buyer and the deal completes, the purchaser's caveat is replaced by your ownership registration — no removal needed. If the deal falls through and the seller wants the caveat removed, they can apply to the High Court under the Land Titles Act. The court will order removal unless the caveator (you) can show a valid interest. Wrongful refusal to remove a caveat can result in damages — the caveator may be liable for the seller's losses (e.g., a lost sale to another buyer). Don't lodge a caveat frivolously.
Is a caveat the same as a mortgage registration?
No. A caveat is a temporary protective notice — it claims an interest but doesn't create one. A mortgage registration is a formal security interest that gives the bank the right to foreclose. When you buy with a bank loan, both get lodged: your purchaser's caveat (protecting your purchase) and the bank's mortgage (securing their loan). At completion, the caveat is replaced by your ownership entry, and the mortgage stays until you fully repay the loan. A caveat costs $64.45; a mortgage registration costs $130+.
Related
- Option to Purchase (OTP) Guide — 1% fee, 14-day exercise
- Conveyancing Fees Singapore — $2,500–$3,500 legal fees
- Legal Fees for Property Purchase
- Total Cost of Buying a Condo
- First-Time Buyer Checklist
Last updated Feb 2026. Caveat fees from SLA. This is general information, not legal advice. Consult a conveyancing lawyer for your specific situation.