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But a private condominium unit is non-restricted, so a foreign person may buy it without approval

A worked RES examination question on foreign ownership rpa, from our Paper 2 bank — with the rule it turns on, and why each of the four options is right or wrong.

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The question

On Elena's status and the proposed condominium purchase, consider the following statements.

  1. (i) Elena, as a Singapore Permanent Resident, is a foreign person under the Residential Property Act.
  2. (ii) A private condominium unit is a non-restricted property.
  3. (iii) Elena may buy the Tanjong Rhu condominium unit without Land Dealings Approval Unit approval.
  4. (iv) Because Elena is married to a Singapore citizen, she ceases to be a foreign person under the Act.
  1. A. (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)
  2. B. (i), (ii) and (iii) only
  3. C. (i) and (iii) only
  4. D. (ii) and (iii) only

The answer, and why

Answer: B

The rule. A Singapore Permanent Resident is a foreign person under the Residential Property Act, and marriage to a citizen does not change that. But a private condominium unit is non-restricted, so a foreign person may buy it without approval.

Why B is correct. (i) Elena as a foreign person, (ii) the condominium as non-restricted and (iii) buying it without approval are correct. (iv) is false — marrying a citizen does not make Elena a non-foreign person.

The other options.

  • A adds the false (iv), the marriage changing her status.
  • C drops (ii), the non-restricted condominium.
  • D drops (i), Elena's foreign-person status.

Exam note. A PR is a foreign person (marriage does not change it), but a condominium is non-restricted — no approval needed.

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