Can private property owners buy HDB flats direct from HDB?
No, a private property owner cannot buy a HDB flat direct from HDB. If he disposes of his private property, he has to wait 30 months before he is eligible to buy a flat direct from HDB. However, HDB may consider granting exemption to exceptional cases based on the merits of each case. Private property owners with full share in the property are not eligible for exemption.
How does a private property owners apply for exemption from the non-ownership of property rule?
If the private property owner wants to purchase a HDB flat direct from HDB and wishes to apply for exemption, he has to take the following steps:
(a) Obtain a property questionnaire and application form from Reception Counter Sales Unit, HDB Centre or any HDB Branch Office.
(b) Complete the questionnaire and application form; and submit them personally at the counter of Sales Unit together with documents as follows:-
(i) Property Acquired Through Inheritance
- Will
- Grant of Probate
- Estate Duty Schedule, or
- Petition for Letters of Administration
- Grant of Letters of Administration
- Estate Duty Schedule
- Deed of Gift
- Transfer Instrument or Notice of Transfer
- Title Deeds
- Title Deeds
- Valuation Report from a Licensed Valuer in that country.
Can private property owners buy a HDB resale flat from the open market?
Yes, private property owners can buy a resale flat from the open market. However, they must reside in the HDB resale flat.
I got the keys to my HDB flat 5 years ago but I was overseas for 1 year in between. Am I eligible to purchase a private property now?
No, HDB excludes any period during which you were not in physical occupation of the property when computing the period of occupation.
I have one month to go before the 5-year occupation period for my HDB flat expires. Is it alright if I pay the Booking Fee now as long as I sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement after the one month has passed?
NO. If you are an owner of an HDB flat bought either direct from the HDB, or from the open market with the help of a housing grant, you are NOT allowed to have any interest in private property before the 5-year occupation period expires. This includes paying the Booking Fee in exchange for the Option.
What are the schemes available to a Purchaser of a HDB flat?
HDB SCHEMES:
- Public Applicant Scheme
- Single Singapore Citizen Scheme
- Conversion Scheme
- Non-Citizen Family Scheme
- Orphans Scheme
- Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme
- Citizen/SPR Siblings Scheme
- Joint Singles Scheme
- Non-citizens Scheme
- CPF Housing Grant Scheme
The application must satisfy all the following conditions:
(a) CITIZENSHIP
- The applicant must be a Singapore Citizen.
- The co-applicant/proposed occupiers listed in the application must comprise at least one Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident.
(c) FAMILY NUCLEUS
Applicant and his co-applicant/proposed occupiers must form a family nucleus. A family nucleus can comprise the following:-
- Applicant and his spouse and his children (if any).
- Applicant (single) and his parents and siblings (if any).
- Applicant (widowed) and children.
- Applicant (single) and his fiancée.
- Applicant (single) and his siblings, if parents are deceased.
(d) ETHNIC INTEGRATION
The Applicant can buy a HDB resale flat in any town/estate where the approved proportion for his ethnic group in the neighourhood/block has not been exceeded. The Purchasers and the sellers of the same ethnic group are not affected by the Ethnic Integration Policy.
(e) INCOME CEILING
- The total gross income of all persons listed in the application must not exceed $8,000.00 per month.
No person shall be entitled to purchase a HDB flat if he, his spouse or any other person listed in the application:
- Is the owner of any other flat, house, building or land* or has an estate or interest therein; or
- Has at any time within 30 months before the date of making an application to purchase an HDB flat,
- or between the date of the application and the date of completion of the new flat, acquired or disposed of
- any flat, house, building or land, or any interest therein.
The HDB may, however, at its sole discretion and depending on the facts, circumstances and merits of each case, exempt persons from this condition upon his application for exemption. An application for exemption is subject to payment of a processing fee of $154.50/ $51-50 (inclusive of GST) as determined by the HDB. The processing fee is non-refundable.
(g) 5-YEAR RESTRICTION If any of the applicants, their spouses or essential occupiers listed in the application is an existing owner or ex-owner of a flat purchased direct from HDB, or under the Sale of Flats to Sitting Tenants Scheme or CPF Housing Grant Scheme, the applicant may apply to purchase a HDB flat only if a period of 5 years has lapsed from the date of purchase of the said flat to the date of registration of the new application.
Can an undischarged bankrupt apply to purchase a HDB flat?
An undischarged bankrupt must obtain the prior written consent of the Official Assignee before he can purchase an HDB flat.
Can persons listed in one application be included in another?
All persons listed in the application must not also be listed in another application to buy or rent HDB flat.
Can any person be barred to apply to purchase a HDB flat?
The applicant and his co-applicant/proposed occupiers must not have infringed any HDB/Government rules, regulations or policies. Any person whose name has been included in any debarment list will not be eligible to purchase or be included as an authorised occupier in an application to purchase an HDB flat.
Contact Us For Further Queries
