Sale of Recess Area

You must be listed as the flat owner to purchase the area outside your flat. You may purchase the space in front of your flat if your flat is built before 1996. The purchase of recess area is also subject to the following conditions, to comply with the technical requirements relating to design, access, fire safety, and ventilation:

  1. Your flat must not be located next to the opening that leads to the canopy of the protruding access balcony.
  2. Your flat must not be located in a point block where it is the only unit on the floor which has the recess area.
  3. Your flat must not be located next to a corner unit.
  4. The recess area must not contain service dusts such as gas pipe, water meters and electrical ducts within the space.

Costs and fees

Find out how much you may need to pay if you wish to purchase the recess area.

These are the costs and fees payable to purchase the recess area:

Purchase Price

The purchase price is based on a Fair Market Value and is reviewed every 3 months.

Actual purchase price will depend on the final recess area approved for sale by HDB. You are not allowed to buy a recess area that is smaller or bigger than the final recess area approved by HDB.

Survey Fees

The survey fee is for HDB to engage a Registered Surveyor to conduct the strata survey on the recess area to be purchased. The approving authority for the strata survey is the Singapore Land Authority (Chief Surveyor).

Stamp & Registration Fees

Different fees may apply, depending on whether you appoint HDB’s solicitor or your own solicitor to act for your purchase.
Conveyancing Fees

Different fees may apply, depending on whether you appoint HDB’s solicitor or your own solicitor to act for your purchase.

If your current housing mortgage is with a bank, you are required to engage your own solicitor to handle matters regarding your purchase of the recess area. They will advise you on the fees.

Renovation Cost

You have to engage an HDB-registered renovation contractor for the renovation works at the recess area. Engaged contractors will advise you on the cost separately, and will vary depending on whom you contract.

Others

In some cases, you may have to engage other licenced personnel to relocate services such as fittings or fixtures out of the recess area before the sale is approved.

You may refer to the following example for the purchase of a recess area of 4 square metres outside a typical 3-room flat, with HDB appointed to act for your purchase:

Purchase Price $6,800.00
Stamp & Registration Fees $221.20
Conveyancing Fees $117.80
Survey Fees $163.50
Total $7,302.50

The actual costs will vary depending on the final floor area allowed for sale and the date of application received by HDB.

Application process

Read a step-by-step guide on the application process.

This is an overview of the application process to purchase the recess area:

Step 1: Application

Submit your application to purchase recess area.
Step 2: Site and Technical Assessment by HDB HDB will assess your application and inform you of an outcome within 2 weeks. This will include a site and technical assessment by HDB.

Step 3: Relocation of Services

In some cases, HDB will inform you to relocate service(s) out of the recess area. You will need to engage licenced person(s) for the relocation works at your own expense. The new location(s) of the services must be approved by HDB and the Town Council before the relocation works may start.

Approval to purchase the recess area will only be granted after you have relocated the service(s) according to the standards and guidelines, as determined by HDB and the relevant authorities/ service providers.

Step 4: Conveyancing

You will need a solicitor^ to handle the conveyancing matters related to the purchase of the recess area.

Step 5: Payment for Purchase

You will need to pay the following to HDB:

  • Purchase price
  • Survey fees
  • Legal fees^

You may pay online via Singpass with the following modes if you have no housing mortgage, or if your housing mortgage is with HDB:

  • CPF
  • eNETS

Step 6: Signing of Legal Documents

If you have appointed HDB's solicitor, you will be invited to sign the legal documents at the HDB Branch managing your flat when they are ready.

If you have appointed your own solicitor, they will inform you to sign the legal documents at their office.

Step 7: Commencement of Renovation Works

Your HDB-registered renovation contractor may apply for the permit to start renovation works at the recess area.

^ If your current mortgage is with a bank, additional solicitor's fees will apply and you will be required to obtain the bank's confirmation letter before proceeding with the purchase. 

To manage your application for the purchase of recess area, make payment, or change your appointment with HDB, you may log in to My HDBPage.

Conditions after purchase

View the conditions that apply to the ownership of the recess area.

The following conditions are applicable to your ownership of the recess area after purchase:

  • You are required to compartmentalise the recess area with a fire-rated door and fire-rated wall if the Fire Safety and Shelter Department (FSSD) or HDB imposes such a requirement.
  • No combustible materials shall be stored within the recess area.
  • There must be no permanent obstruction around the existing rainwater down pipe/ service pipe/ duct, to facilitate maintenance needs.
  • Any existing scupper drain cannot be covered up. The scupper drain must be free from obstruction at all times to allow the free flow of water into the waste outlet if the vertical discharge stack is within the recess area.
  • Any renovation work to the recess area must comply with HDB's prevailing renovation guidelines, and approval must be obtained from HDB.

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