What is the master title for commercial properties

A master title for commercial property in Singapore refers to the single, original land title that covers the entire commercial development or building before any subdivision occurs. When a commercial building is held under a master title, it means ownership of the entire property is not divided into separate, individual strata titles for each unit. Instead, the whole property is under one legal ownership—typically by a single entity, such as a company or investment group.

If the building is later subdivided, individual units (such as offices or shops) may be sold with their own separate strata titles, and the master title is then replaced by multiple strata titles. However, with increasing restrictions, strata subdivision for commercial properties is now not allowed in certain areas, especially in the central zones, making master-titled commercial buildings less likely to be converted into strata-titled properties.

Key points:
- Master title means one overall title for the whole property.
- No individual legal ownership of separate units under a master title.
- Strata title is created when the master title is subdivided, allowing for separate ownership of individual units.
- The Urban Redevelopment Authority has introduced policies to restrict new strata subdivision in some central commercial areas.

This distinction affects property transactions, collective sales, and redevelopment options for commercial buildings in Singapore.