As with every budget announcement, Budget 2026 — which will be tabled in Parliament on Oct 10 — is being closely watched, especially as the country navigates headwinds such as ongoing trade tensions and rising living costs.

City & Country spoke to key players in the property industry about their expectations and many are hoping for a review of the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST), the reintroduction of a home ownership campaign to ease housing access, initiatives to revitalise ageing assets and preparations to address an ageing population. Read on to discover what else the industry hopes to see in Budget 2026.

Hafizuddin Sulaiman
Officer in charge and chief financial officer

UEM Sunrise Bhd

Housing affordability, inclusivity and sustainable sector growth remain national priorities. Budget 2026 presents an opportunity for the government to strengthen long-term resilience in the property sector while addressing the immediate challenges faced by homebuyers, developers and communities.

The Budget should reintroduce targeted support for first-time homebuyers — such as stamp duty waivers, interest subsidies and income tax relief — to ease homeownership for B40 and M40 families.

Developers delivering affordable and mid-market homes should benefit from tax relief to strengthen supply. A clearer framework for build-to-rent can diversify housing options, stabilise rental markets and ensure long-term affordability.

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone holds strong potential to drive growth. Incentives should be broadened to include master developers and infrastructure providers, while clearer approval guidelines would help unlock this potential. Enhanced cross-border facilitation for Singaporean small and medium enterprises could further stimulate industrial and residential development.

Furthermore, incentives for the Industrialised Building System and Building Information Modelling, along with support for senior-friendly and multigenerational housing, will also enhance inclusivity.

Simplifying approval processes and stronger inter-agency coordination can reduce costs and delivery timelines. Clearer alignment of development-related charges across states would improve predictability for long-term planning. Automatic release of unsold bumiputera units after a fixed period would boost project take-up. Stronger financing support or deposit assistance can reduce housing overhang risk. In addition, reassessing current Economic Planning Unit approval requirements would improve the competitiveness and execution timelines of government-linked companies.

Revitalising ageing precincts is vital to optimising underutilised land. Special tax allowances and co-investment schemes for infrastructure would encourage brownfield and transit-oriented developments. A timely rollout of the Urban Renewal Act, backed by tools such as land amalgamation and cost-sharing mechanisms, would enhance the viability and sustainability of redevelop­ment efforts.

Source by: The Edge