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Residential

HDB Flat

The eligibility conditions to buy an HDB flat (3-room flats and bigger) are detailed below. If you intend to buy a 2-room Flexi flat, please refer to information about the 2-room Flexi scheme. 

Alternatively, you can also use our e-Service to check your eligibility to buy an HDB flat.

Before submitting your application, we advise that you learn more about the financial planning involved in a purchase, and the conditions that apply after you buy a new flat.

 

 

What are the eligibility conditions?

A new HDB flat is subsidised and meant for Singapore Citizens. You and any other applicants and essential occupiers need to meet several eligibility conditions such as age, income, and property ownership.

Overview of eligibility conditions

Eligible Applicant/ Family Nucleus
  • You will need to qualify for a new flat under one of our eligibility schemes:
    • Public Scheme
    • Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme
    • Orphans Scheme 

Citizenship
  • At least 1 Singapore Citizen applicant
  • At least 1 other Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident#

Age
  • At least 21 years old

Income Ceiling
  • You are within the set income ceiling for the flat you intend to buy

Property Ownership
  • All applicants and occupiers listed in the flat application do not own other property overseas or locally, and have not disposed of any within the last 30 months
  • All applicants and occupiers listed in the flat application cannot invest in private residential property from the date of flat application till after the 5-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP)
  • You have not bought a new HDB/ DBSS flat or EC, or received a CPF Housing Grant before; or, have only bought 1 of those properties/ received 1 CPF Housing Grant thus far

# First-timer households comprising only 1 Singapore Citizen and 1 or more Singapore Permanent Resident family members will have to pay $10,000 premium at the point of flat purchase. You may apply for the additional $10,000 Citizen Top-Up Grant when your spouse gets Singapore Citizenship or when you have an Singapore Citizen child. Find out more information about the Citizen Top-Up Grant eligibility conditions.

Which eligibility scheme do I apply under?

Under our eligibility schemes for new flats, you can get a new flat as a couple or a family.

Eligibility Schemes

  • Public Scheme
  • Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme
  • Orphans Scheme

If you are an unmarried parent and would like to apply for a flat from HDB, please email us at hdbsales@mailbox.hdb.gov.sg. We will contact you soon after to understand more about your circumstances.

Public Scheme

You form a family nucleus with any of the following:

  • Spouse, and children (if any)
  • Parents, and siblings (if any)
  • Children under your legal custody, care and control (if widowed/divorced#)

#If the care and control of your children under the age of 21 is shared with your ex-spouse, you must obtain his/her written agreement before you can list your children in a flat application. If you face difficulties in obtaining the agreement or have a question for us, please send us an email at hdbsales@mailbox.hdb.gov.sg.

If you are an unmarried parent and would like to apply for a flat from HDB, please email us at hdbsales@mailbox.hdb.gov.sg. We will contact you soon after to understand more about your circumstances.

No change of people listed in the application

Applications under this scheme are only valid if there are no changes to the people listed in the application. This means that in the case of a break-up, you are not allowed to subsequently include the name(s) of a new fiancé/fiancée or your parents in the application, even if your ex-fiance/fiancée agrees.

If applying for a 3Gen flat

For 3Gen flat applications, a multi-generation family is any of the following:

  • Married/engaged couple* and parent(s)^
  • Widowed/divorced with children under legal custody, care and control# and parent(s)^

* The couple must be eligible to buy a flat under the Public Scheme or Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme.

^ At least 1 parent must be a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident.

#If the care and control of your children under the age of 21 is shared with your ex-spouse, you must obtain his/her written agreement before you can list your children in a flat application.

If you face difficulties in obtaining the agreement or have a question for us, please send us an email at hdbsales@mailbox.hdb.gov.sg.

Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme

You form a family nucleus with your spouse-to-be. Please note the following for the Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme.

Solemnisation of Marriage

Under this scheme, you need to solemnise your marriage within 3 months of collecting your keys to your flat. If your marriage is registered overseas, please submit a photocopy of your marriage certificate to us.

If You: Submit A Photocopy of your Marriage Certificate:
Solemnised your marriage before collecting your keys To the HDB Sales Office, during your keys collection appointment
Solemnised your marriage after collecting your keys To your managing HDB Branch

Written parental consent needed if spouse-to-be is 18 years old and above, but below 21

That person can only be listed as an essential occupier in the flat application. Written consent from that person’s parents/ guardians must be submitted during the flat selection appointment.

Special Marriage Licence needed if spouse-to-be is below 18 years old

Following your flat application, you must obtain a Special Marriage Licence from the Ministry of Social and Family Development, and submit it to us during the flat selection appointment.

No change of people listed in the application

Applications under this scheme are only valid if there are no changes to the people listed in the application. This means that in the case of a break-up, you are not allowed to subsequently include the name(s) of a new fiancé/fiancée or your parents in the application, even if your ex-fiance/fiancée agrees.

If applying for a 3Gen flat

For 3Gen flat applications, a multi-generation family is any of the following:

  • Married/ engaged couple* and parents^
  • Widowed/divorced with children under legal custody, care and control# and parent(s)^

* The couple must be eligible to buy a flat under the Public Scheme.

^ At least 1 parent must be a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident.

#If the care and control of your children under the age of 21 is shared with your ex-spouse, you must obtain his/her written agreement before you can list your children in a flat application.

If you face difficulties in obtaining the agreement or have a question for us, please send us an email at hdbsales@mailbox.hdb.gov.sg.

Orphans Scheme

You and your siblings (those applying) are orphans and single, i.e. unmarried, divorced or widowed:

  • All of the siblings that are single must be listed in the same application
  • At least 1 of the deceased parents was a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident

Please note that under the Orphans Scheme, siblings cannot buy/ rent flats separately.

What is the income ceiling?

The income ceiling depends on the type of flat you intend to get. If your average gross monthly household income exceeds the income ceiling, you will not be eligible for that flat type.
Flat Type Income Ceiling (Average Gross Monthly Household Income)
  • 4-room flat or bigger
  • ^$14,000
  • ^$21,000 if purchasing with extended or multi-generation family
  • 3-room flat

#$7,000 or $14,000, depending on project.

Our press release during the sales launches will specify the income ceiling for each project.
 

^ Applicable for sales exercise launched from September 2019. For flat applications received for sales exercises launched before September 2019, income ceilings are $12,000 and $18,000 (if purchasing with extended or multi-generation family)

# Applicable for sales exercise launched from September 2019. For flat applications received for sales exercises launched before September 2019, income ceilings are $6,000 or $12,000 depending on project

What income documents must I submit?

For your flat application, you and any other applicants and essential occupiers will need to prepare specific documents depending on your nature of employment. Also, please note that some forms of income/ allowance are not included when assessing your household income.

For your flat application, you and the other applicants and essential occupiers will need to get ready the following documents for our verification:

  • 3 months’ payslips preceding the month of application, if employed full-time (not on commission-basis)
  • 6 months’ of income documents preceding the month of application, for other types of employment
  • Proof of unemployment, if not working

Aside from the above documents, we may also request other documents for verification if needed.

Nature of Employment

Documents to Submit

Notes

Employed person
  • 3 months’ payslips preceding the month of application

or

  • Letter from employer certifying salaries for 3 months preceding the month of application; the letter must contain the:
    • Company stamp/ letterhead
    • Certifying officer’s name, signature, and designation

Note: If your income includes allowances, we will require 6 months’ payslips preceding the month of application.
  • Assessment is based on the average gross monthly income, which:
    • Excludes bonuses and income earned from ad hoc overtime work
    • Includes allowances (fixed/ variable) received on a regular basis (e.g. allowances for food, transport, laundry, uniform, etc.)
  • If you are employed full-time but on no-pay leave for less than 6 months, we will consider you as employed and use your last drawn pay for assessment. If you are on no-pay leave for 6 months or more, your income will not be considered in the assessment.
  • Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) will not be accepted

Self-employed person
  • Latest NOA from IRAS or Statement of Annual Accounts certified by an audit firm

and

and

  • Undertaking affirming the average gross monthly income for 6 months preceding the month of application

  • Assessment is based on the average gross monthly income

  • The undertaking for applicants/occupiers to affirm their average gross monthly income will be included in the invitation package for flat selection.  Applicants/occupiers will have to complete the undertaking and submit it during the flat selection appointment.

  • If the applicant/occupier is not in Singapore, he/she may complete the undertaking and arrange for a proxy to submit it during  the flat selection appointment. 

Part-time worker
  • 6 months’ payslips preceding the month of application

or

  • Letter from employer certifying salaries for 6 months preceding the month of application; the letter must contain the:
    • Company stamp/ letterhead
    • Certifying officer’s name, signature, and designation
  • Assessment is based on the average gross monthly income.

Commission-based person
  • 6 months’ commission statements/ payslips preceding the month of application

or

  • Letter from employer certifying salaries for 6 months preceding the month of application; the letter must contain the:
    • Company stamp/ letterhead
    • Certifying officer’s name, signature, and designation
  • Assessment is based on the average gross monthly income.

Odd job worker

or

  • Letter from employer certifying salaries for 6 months preceding the month of application; the letter must contain the:
    • Company stamp/ letterhead
    • Certifying officer’s name, signature, and designation
  • Assessment is based on the average gross monthly income.

Unemployed person (between 18 to 62 years old)
  • Undertaking affirming the unemployment status

or 

  • Valid Student Pass or letter from school/ college/ institute of learning to confirm student status, if currently a full-time student
  • If unemployed for less than 3 months, the following documents are required:
    • Income proof for the preceding month(s) from the previous employer stating gross monthly income and last day of service
    • Latest 15 months’ CPF contribution history

  • The undertaking for applicants/occupiers to affirm their average gross monthly income will be included in the invitation package for flat selection.  Applicants/occupiers will have to complete the undertaking and submit it during the flat selection appointment.

  • If the applicant/occupier is not in Singapore, he/she may complete the undertaking and arrange for a proxy to submit it during  the flat selection appointment. 

Income/ allowance that will be considered for income assessment

  • Allowances (fixed/ variable) received on a regular basis (e.g. allowances for food, transport, laundry, uniform, etc.)

  • Sustenance allowance

  • Stipend
Income/ allowance that will not be considered for income assessment

  • Alimony allowance

  • Bonuses

  • Director's fee

  • Income from ad hoc overtime work

  • Interest from deposit accounts

  • National Service Allowance

  • Rental income

  • Scholarship overseas allowance

  • Overseas cost of living allowance

  • Pension

 

 

What is the income ceiling for extended/ multi-generation family? How do I work it out?

This income ceiling for extended/ multi-generation family is set at a higher level of $21,000 to encourage and help working adults and their parents to live as an extended family in a flat. This includes married couples, their siblings, and their parents. It is calculated using the combined income of 2 set groups in the extended family.

How to calculate the extended / multi-generation family income ceiling

The set groups and income ceiling calculation are as follows:

Household Type

Income of Group A

(Cannot exceed #$14,000)

Income of Group B

(Cannot exceed #$14,000)

Extended Family Income Ceiling

Parents* with single children

Parents and 1 of the single children

Remaining single children

Group A + Group B must not exceed #$21,000

Parents* with married children^

Parents and remaining working children (if any)

The married children and their children (if any)

* Includes widow/ widower or divorcee

^ Includes applicants applying under the Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme

# Applicable for sales exercise launched from September 2019. For flat applications received for sales exercises launched before September 2019, income ceilings are $12,000 and $18,000 (for extended or multi-generation family)

Example

A married couple and their 3 working children wish to buy a new flat. Individually, their average gross monthly income is:

  • Husband: $7,000
  • Wife: $4,000
  • Child A: $4,000
  • Child B: $3,000
  • Child C: $2,000

Their average gross monthly income as an extended family thus works out as:

Income of Group A

  • Parents and 1 of the single children
  • Cannot exceed ^$14,000

Income of Group B

  • Remaining single children
  • Cannot exceed ^$14,000

Extended Family Income Ceiling

  • Group A + Group B must not exceed ^$21,000
  • Husband: $7,000
  • Wife: $4,000
  • Child C: $2,000

Total = $13,000
  • Child A: $4,000
  • Child B: $3,000

Total = $7,000
  • Group A: $13,000
  • Group B: $7,000

Total = $20,000

The extended family’s income is within the income ceiling.
 
^ Applicable for sales exercise launched from September 2019. For flat applications received for sales exercises launched before September 2019, income ceilings are $12,000 and $18,000 (for extended or multi-generation family)

Are there any time periods during which I cannot apply for a flat?

Yes. There are instances where you may need to wait out a set time period before you can apply or be listed in the application for a new flat.

This usually happens when someone:

  • Has not met the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) of a current flat/ EC unit
  • Has previously cancelled a flat application, or chose not to select a flat twice

MOP requirements: current owner/ essential occupier of a flat or an EC unit

Before applying for the new flat, you need to check if you or any other flat applicant(s)/ essential occupier(s) to be listed in the flat application own any of these:

  • HDB flat bought from HDB or on the open market
  • EC unit/ DBSS flat bought from the developer

If so, that person must have already met that flat/ EC’s 5-year MOP before he can apply for a new flat. An essential occupier must also have met the flat/ EC's 5-year MOP before he can be listed in a new flat application.

In the case of ECs, you must also wait out a 30-month period from the EC’s effective date of disposal, which we will verify using your Notice of Transfer, or any other such documentation we may require.

Type of Property

Time Period Before You Can Apply for a New HDB Flat
  • HDB flat bought from HDB or on the open market
  • DBSS flat bought from the developer

MOP of 5 years
  • EC unit bought from the developer
 MOP of 5 years + 30 months from date of EC disposal

Cancelled a flat application after booking a flat

If you book a flat and subsequently cancel your booking, you must wait out a 1-year period from the date of the cancellation before you can apply or be listed as an essential occupier of a:

  • New HDB flat
  • DBSS flat bought from a developer
  • EC bought from a developer
  • Resale flat bought using a CPF Housing Grant
  • Resale flat announced for SERS

2 non-selections of a flat

If you are a second-timer applicant or first-timer single that does not book a flat after being invited to do so for 2 times in a row, you need to wait 1 year from the date of the second non-selection before you can participate in an HDB sales launch.

Second-Timer Applicant/ First-Timer Single

Can Apply for a New Flat?

Is successfully balloted and invited to select a flat, but does not do so.

Yes

Gets successfully balloted a second time, and once again does not select a flat.

Not for 1 year
 

Am I a first or second-timer applicant?

A first-timer applicant is a person or household that has never received any form of housing subsidy, or similar benefit; a second-timer applicant is a person or household that has. If you are a second-timer and your spouse/ spouse-to-be is a first-timer, you as a couple will enjoy first-timer privileges and priority.

First-timer applicant

First-timers enjoy privileges and priority in flat allocation.

Yours will be treated as a first-timer application if you and any of the other listed owners and essential occupiers meet the following criteria:

  • Not the owner of a flat bought from HDB, or an EC/ DBSS flat bought from a developer
  • Not sold a flat bought from HDB, or an EC/ DBSS flat bought from a developer
  • Not received any CPF Housing Grant for the purchase of an HDB resale flat
  • Not taken any form of housing subsidy (e.g. benefitted under the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) or HUDC estate privatisation)
If you are a second-timer and your spouse/ spouse-to-be is a first-timer, you will be glad to know that you and your spouse/ spouse-to-be will enjoy first-timer privileges and priority as a couple.

Second-timer applicant

Yours will be treated as a second-timer application if any of the following applies to you or any of the other listed owners and essential occupiers:
  • Have owned or sold any of the following:
    • HDB flat bought from HDB
    • Resale flat bought using a CPF Housing Grant
    • EC/ DBSS flat bought from the developer
  • Once taken some form of housing subsidy (e.g. benefitted under the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS), HUDC estate privatisation)

What if I am an undischarged bankrupt?

Prior consent must be obtained from the Official Assignee (OA) or the private trustee, if you are applying to buy an HDB flat that is bigger than a 5-room flat or a 3Gen-flat. From 1 February 2016 onwards, prior consent is also required to buy any flat type with a net purchase price of $500,000 or above, after taking into account any HDB subsidies or levy.

You do not need to seek prior consent from the OA or the private trustee to be listed as an occupier of a flat.

 

Do I need to pay a resale levy?

When buying a new HDB flat, a resale levy  is payable if you have previously bought a new HDB flat, a DBSS flat or an EC from the developers, or received a CPF Housing Grant. 

 

Can I get a new HDB flat if I used to/ still own or have full/ partial interest in a local/ overseas non-HDB property?

No, you may not. For a new flat application, all the listed owners and essential occupiers must not own, dispose, or have an estate or interest in any other local or overseas property:

  • Within 30 months before the date of the new flat application, and up to the date of taking possession of the new flat

Exemptions may be possible for exceptional cases. To apply, please fill and submit this property questionnaire.

The properties considered in this instance include but are not limited to:

  • Privatised HUDC flats
  • Properties acquired by gift
  • Properties inherited as beneficiaries under a will or as a result of the Intestate Succession Act
  • Private property
  • Properties owned, acquired, or disposed through nominees, regardless of properties’ location

Can I get a new HDB flat if I used to/ still own an HDB flat, DBSS flat, or EC?

Yes, provided that you only own/ owned 1 of the following units prior to your application:

  • Flat bought from HDB
  • EC/ DBSS flat bought from the developer
  • HDB resale flat bought using a CPF Housing Grant (only applies to first-timer applicants)

In essence, an eligible Singapore Citizen is allowed to buy the above properties twice in total, not twice per type of property.

If you have already bought 2 such properties, you will not be eligible to apply for a new flat or be listed as an essential occupier in an application.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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