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Brass keys, pen and contract folder with a shophouse model, representing shophouse conveyancing and completion in Singapore

Buying & Finance · Guide

Shophouse Conveyancing: Legal Process & Timeline

From option to completion: what happens, who does it, and when stamp duty is due.

The short answer

Shophouse conveyancing in Singapore starts with an option to purchase, which you exercise within an agreed period; your lawyer then pays stamp duty within the IRAS deadline, requisitions and verifies title, and completes by paying the balance and registering the transfer with SLA, usually several weeks after exercise.

Stages
Option, exercise, duty, completion
Stamp duty
Generally within 14 days
Registered by
SLA at completion
Hire
Singapore lawyer

Last reviewed 5 November 2026. Rates and rules cited reflect IRAS, MAS, SLA and URA publications as last checked on 5 November 2026; always confirm current figures on the issuing agency's website before you sign. General information only, not legal, tax, or financial advice.

Once signed, an option fee is typically at risk. Have your lawyer review conditions first.
Property legal documents and a brass stamp on a desk in front of a shophouse street
Your lawyer files stamp duty with IRAS within the statutory window.

1. The process step by step

StageWhat happensTypical points to check
1. Option to purchaseSeller grants you a right to buy for a fee within an exercise periodOption fee, exercise period, conditions
2. Due diligenceTitle, URA, building and tenancy checksDates fit within exercise period
3. ExerciseYou exercise the option in writing and pay the agreed sumNotice requirements, deadlines
4. Stamp dutyLawyer files and pays BSD and any ABSD via IRASWithin the IRAS time limit
5. RequisitionsLawyers clarify title and property questionsSeller's replies, discharge of mortgage
6. CompletionBalance paid, transfer registered, keys handed overRent apportionment, utilities, tenancy novation

2. Option to purchase: terms that matter

  • Option fee and what happens to it if you do not exercise
  • Exercise period and how notice is given
  • Conditions precedent such as financing, approvals or vacant possession
  • Completion date and consequences of delay
  • Whether GST applies and who bears it

3. Stamp duty timing

BSD and any ABSD are generally payable within 14 days of exercising the option or signing the sale agreement in Singapore, with a longer period for documents signed overseas. Your lawyer files and pays through IRAS.

4. Tenanted shophouses at completion

Where the shophouse is tenanted, the sale contract should address assignment of tenancies, security deposits, rent apportionment and any arrears. Collect all lease documents and notify tenants of the new landlord.

5. Documents you should expect

  • Option to purchase and its exercise notice
  • Title documents and search results
  • Mortgage documents and bank letters of offer
  • Tenancy agreements and schedules
  • URA approvals and licences
  • Stamp duty certificate

Sources

Next step: see the ABSD breakdown, the URA buyer manual and live conservation shophouses for sale.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does conveyancing take for a shophouse in Singapore?+

Timelines are set in the option and sale contract. Completion is commonly several weeks after exercising the option, longer if approvals or vacant possession are involved.

What is an option to purchase in Singapore?+

It is a contract in which the seller grants you the right to buy within an exercise period in return for an option fee. If you exercise, a binding sale follows.

When do I pay stamp duty on a shophouse?+

Generally within 14 days of exercising the option or signing the agreement in Singapore. Your lawyer files with IRAS.

How much are legal fees for buying a shophouse?+

Fees are quoted by each law firm and depend on complexity, so we do not give a figure. Get a written quote including disbursements before you instruct.

Can I lose my option fee?+

Yes, if you do not exercise the option within the period without a contractual excuse. Have your lawyer review conditions first.

Who registers the transfer of a shophouse?+

Your lawyer lodges the transfer for registration with the Singapore Land Authority at completion.