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Semi-detached shared walls and no noisy upstairs neighbours stomping around all day, owning a landed home is a dream for many. But don't be so jealous of the atas life. Because all the hidden perks also come with hidden responsibilities and costs that no one talks about.If you're thinking of upgrading, or just curious about what it's really like to own landed, here are some things you should know before you make that commitment. Some of them are pretty great. Others... you'll want to be mentally (and financially) prepared for. In this article: Not just a patch of land You can't build whatever you want Car parks don't contribute to your GFA LTA can take some of your land Random drain may give you pain Big tree, big problem Crooked floor Retaining walls keep the slippery slopes from slipping Reno might need your neighbours' consent Termites will eat your house from the inside Is it worth it? 1. Not just a patch of land With such a name, you'd think it only entails what's on the ground. But under Singapore law, "land" actually covers much more than that. When you buy landed property, you're also buying a reasonable slice of the airspace above your home and the underground space below it. This includes anything growing on it (like trees or hedges), anything built onto it (like your house or walls), and the natural rights like sunlight, fresh air, water, and access to the road your home faces.So, for example, if a neighbour's tree starts leaning into your space, you're allowed to trim the overhanging branches without needing their permission (just don't cross the boundary while doing it). Or, if any veggies or fruits keep falling into your garden, guess you won't need to buy them at the market.2. You can't build whatever you want Yes, you own the land (and the airspace and the underground) but no, that doesn't mean you can build whatever your heart desires. URA has strict guidelines for what you can and can't do with landed properties. The type of house you own (detached, semi-detached, or terrace) determines the rules on how much you can build, how high, and how close to the boundary lines.Even adding a room, building a basement, or installing a solar panel may require approval. For major renovations or rebuilding, you'll need to engage a Qualified Person (like an architect) to submit plans that meet URA's Landed Housing guidelines. The good news? These rules exist to protect the character of landed neighbourhoods, just in case someone gets a funny idea of turning their terrace homes into a mini shopping mall.3. Car parks don't contribute to your GFAURA has strict rules on how much you can build. Basically, there's a cap on your total floor space called Gross Floor Area (GFA). BUT- car porches, garages, even basement car parks don't contribute to your GFA. So if you have many cars or are a collector, you don't have to sacrifice your actual living space. It's like getting some "bonus" square footage. It's not exactly a loophole, but it's a lesser-known perk that can make your home feel more spacious.4. LTA can take some of your land There's one document that you MUST see before you buy a landed home. The Road Line Plan (RLP) can tell you if any part of your land is earmarked for future road development. Basically, if a portion of your property falls within this RLP zone, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) can take it back to build new roads or upgrading existing ones. And you won't have a choice but to surrender it without any compensation.So yes, there's always a chance that one day, these road reserves could eat into your plot. Now, this can affect the layout of your home, which is annoying. But beyond aesthetics, what's more concerning is that this can mess with your redevelopment plans (since you'll have less space to work with than expected) and affect the value of your home. And don't assume it only affects homes along major roads, it can happen to houses along smaller roads too.So how do you find out if the property you're eyeing is affected? You can go to SLA's INLIS portal to purchase and download the RLP. Yes. Purchase. It is unfortunate and kinda crazy that this piece of information is not free, but better spend a few bucks now than realise later that half your driveway isn't really yours.5. Random drain may give you pain If there happens to be a drainage system within your premises, it's your job to maintain it. That means clearing blockages, fixing cracks, and keeping it in working order, at your own cost! You can't just ignore it or cement over it to make your driveway nicer. If water backs up and causes flooding, PUB could hold you liable, which is definitely a rude surprise if you didn't know any of this before buying the property.So before committing to a landed home, it doesn't hurt to do a bit of homework. You can look up PUB's Drainage Interpretation Plan (DIP), which shows you where public drains, culverts, and other drainage infrastructures are located in relation to your land. Take a look at this example below.Parts of the drainage here is within the lot. When this happens, or even if the drains just runs along the edge, you'll want to know the type of drainage it is and what you're expected to maintain.You can also refer to mukim or lot plans to see the boundaries of land and whether any drainage reserves or easements are marked on the site.6. Big tree, big problem Got a massive tree taking up half your yard? Don't rush to call a tree cutter just yet, because it might be protected. Yes, it may be sitting on your land, but it's not yours to remove freely. According to the Parks and Trees Act, if your property is in a tree conservation area (like parts of Tanglin or Novena), and you have a tree with a girth of over one metre (measured half a metre above the ground), you'll need approval from Nparks before getting rid of it. And yes, they're serious about it. They can and will fine you up to $50,000 for cutting a protected tree without permission.And even though routine maintenance like pruning and watering isn't explicitly mandated by law, property owners must ensure that the trees on their land do not become hazardous. If the tree becomes a potential danger to any person or property, NParks can issue a notice requiring you to take measures to abate the danger. You should also know that they are allowed to take action against you if they're not satisfied with how you're maintaining their trees.7. Crooked floorBack then, developers probably didn't invest enough in land grading. And when plots of land aren't fully level, you may encounter some gentle slopes, dips, or humps in the floors. It's something to consider if you're thinking of getting an older landed home.In most cases, it's more of an aesthetic issue. Though some people might find it unsettling to walk on a tilted floor. In more serious scenarios, it might ruin your flooring or make you trip. Fortunately, this issue can be fixed. The question is: will the seller fix this, or is it your responsibility after signing?8. Retaining walls keep the slippery slopes from slippingSpeaking of uneven land, living in hilly areas like Bukit Timah, Hillview, or Bukit Batok may seem nice and breezy, but it comes with structural challenges. If you have slopes on your plot, you may need to build a retaining wall to stabilise the landscape. If not, there could be soil erosion or even landslides, which can be dangerous. Plus, retaining walls can manage water runoff so water doesn't pool or flood in one spot.However, URA has strict regulations that must be followed. In general, you need to keep it under 1.5m tall unless absolutely necessary. So if your land is very uneven, like if there's a steep slope, then you can go higher than that. Additionally, if your retaining wall is also part of your boundary wall, the total height visible from outside must not exceed 2.8m, and the solid part of the boundary wall can only be up to 1.8m tall.Source: ura.gov.sgThere's no fixed depth for a retaining wall foundation, but a good rule is to bury about one-third of the wall's height underground. So if your wall is 1.5m tall, the base should go at least 50cm deep. The soil type plays a role too. For example, clay soil holds more moisture and puts more pressure on the wall, so you'll need to go deeper. But, sandy soil is more stable and drains better, so the base can be more shallow.As you might've guessed, these walls aren't cheap. So, it's best to check the topography and elevation with a surveyor before buying. Otherwise, you might end up spending more than you budgeted just to keep the earth in place.9. Reno might need your neighbours' consentPlanning to add a balcony, awning, or extend your fence? Don't start building just yet! Besides getting approval from URA, you'll also need your neighbours' consent if your plans affect their land or shared boundaries.In other words, if your renovation touches their property, blocks their view, or causes any nuisance, really, it's best to talk to them beforehand. Better yet, do some mindful planning.For example, don't choose reflective materials for your roof because the glare might affect others living near you.Source: bca.gov.sgAnd make sure you set up eaves for your roof to prevent water from splashing onto your neighbour's properties.Source: bca.gov.sgThe National Environment Agency (NEA) also has strict rules on when you can make noises so as to not disturb your neighbours. So, make sure to schedule your renovation or construction work for weekdays from 9 am to 7 pm or Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm. Do NOT make loud noises on Sundays and Public Holidays if you don't want to get complaints or fines.Basically, be considerate and nice to your neighbours. It'll save you from unnecessary disputes or delays in your renovation works.10. Termites will eat your house from the insideThanks to our hot and humid weather, these uninvited guests can thrive all year round. Landed homes, in particular, are more vulnerable to them because they have direct contact with soil and wooden structures, unlike high-rise buildings. And because termites love moisture, damp conditions, caused by poor ventilation and water leaks among others, create the perfect environment for an infestation to take hold.These pests will gnaw through beams, floors, furniture, even your books, and you probably won't know they're there. By the time you spot hollow-sounding wood, mud tubes, or discarded wings around your home, it's probably too late. Worst case scenario? Structural damage so bad that you can't live there anymore.Termite control can vary from chemical treatments to baiting system, and they can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on which one you go for and how big your land is. But, that won't help fix the damage that is already done. Even if you have home insurance, they usually don't cover termite damages, so you'll have to take care of all this out of pocket.So what can you do? Before buying, get a pest inspection. Some inspectors use infrared thermal cameras to spot termite nests hidden in walls or flooring. It's also a good idea to check the house's pest control history. If there were past infestations, make sure treatments were done properly and warranties are still valid. And don't forget to ask around if any of your neighbours have an ongoing termite infestation. Because they can and will migrate over to your place too.Is it worth it?Sure, there are quite a few hidden responsibilities that come with owning a landed home. There are annoying drains to maintain, trees you can't get rid of, and crooked floors that need fixing. But there are also hidden perks most people don't realise. You own the airspace and underground of your plot, and you get bonus space for your vehicles.And at the end of the day, it's still one of the most prestigious types of property you can own in Singapore. Landed homes hold their value well, they offer more space, more privacy, and a sense of ownership that's hard to beat. So yes, the landed life might come with some fine print. But for many, it's still the ultimate dream. So if you're thinking of buying landed, or just want to understand the ins and outs better? Come talk to our agents. They'll tell you what to watch out for and walk you through the nitty-gritty. You may also like: Is Now the Right Time to Buy?, Cluster Homes: Straddling The Line Between Condo And Landed?, Not Ready to Buy? Why 20s Is The Best Time To Start Planning Views expressed in this article belong to the writer(s) and do not reflect PropNex's position. 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