Frequently Asked Questions on Sales Launch

Read on to find out the answers to some commonly asked questions by our applicants when they apply for a new flat from our public sales exercises.

Q1: What is Prime Location Public Housing (PLH)?

The PLH model ensures that new public housing built in prime, central locations like the city centre and the Greater Southern Waterfront will remain affordable and accessible for Singaporeans. Read more on PLH.

Q2: What is subsidy recovery? When will it be recovered?

Subsidy recovery only applies to PLH flats. New PLH flats will be priced with additional subsidies, on top of the significant subsidies already provided for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats. Upon selling the flat^, you must return a percentage of the resale price* of the flat to HDB. The subsidy recovery percentage commensurate with the extent of the additional subsidy provided. Read more on PLH.

^ Not applicable to 2-room Flexi flats sold on short-lease.
* Where HDB assesses that a flat valuation is required, the subsidy recovery will be a percentage of the higher of the valuation and the resale price of the flat.

Q3: What documents are required during flat application?

You do not have to submit documents to HDB when you apply for a flat. We will inform you of the documents that need to be submitted after you are successfully balloted to select a flat. Read more on the income documents required.

Q4: When will I be notified of the ballot results? How will I be notified?

For BTO applications, the ballot results will be available about 3 weeks after applications close. For Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) applications, the ballot results will be available about 1.5 months after applications close.

You will be notified of the ballot results by email. You may also check the ballot results via My HDBPage.

Q5: How can I change the town or flat type of my flat application?

You must cancel your existing application, and then submit a new application before the application period closes. You must also pay the administrative fee of $10 for any new application.

You are not allowed to make changes to your applied town or flat type once the application period is submitted.

Q6: Can I submit more than 1 application if I am interested in multiple towns or flat type?

You can only submit 1 application for 1 town and 1 flat type during the sales launch.

If there is a concurrent SBF exercise, you can only submit an application for either the BTO or SBF exercise. You cannot apply for both BTO and SBF exercises in the same launch.

Q7: I have an existing flat application in an earlier sales exercise. However I have not booked a flat. Can I still apply for the ongoing sales exercise?

If you have existing flat applications, you may apply for a new sales exercise as long as you have not booked a flat. Should you manage to book a flat, your other applications will be cancelled automatically.

To manage repeated non-selection of flats which will deprive other applicants with urgent housing needs, please note that application restrictions will apply if you choose not to book a BTO or SBF flat twice when you have a chance to do so.

We thus strongly encourage applicants to book a flat at the first opportunity when they are invited by HDB to do so.

Q8: When do I need to apply for an HDB Loan Eligibility (HLE) letter?

If you wish to apply for an HDB housing loan to finance the purchase of a 99-year 2-room Flexi and bigger flat, you will need to have a valid HLE letter before you book a flat. You may wish to apply for an HLE letter after you have submitted your flat application to help you in planning your housing budget. The HLE letter will be valid for 6 months.

If your HLE is expiring, do submit a fresh application together with the supporting documents for our review 7 days before the expiry date.

You can also make use of our payment plan calculator on the HDB Flat Portal to work out your financial plan and understand the other cost and fees involved for your flat purchase (e.g. stamp duty, conveyancing fees).

Q9: When can I apply for the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG)?

If eligible, you may apply for the EHG during your flat selection appointment, and use the EHG to offset the purchase price of your new flat. More details will be given to you in the invitation package for flat selection and during the selection appointment. After you have submitted the EHG application form and the necessary income documents, we will assess your eligibility and inform you of the outcome. Read more on EHG, including the eligibility conditions.

Q10: Do I have to pay the resale levy?

If you had previously enjoyed any housing subsidy, you must pay a resale levy to purchase a flat from HDB. Read more on resale levy.