New Flats
The primary acquisition avenue is through the purchase of new flats directly from the HDB. Over the years, various forms of sale programmes has been in place, with the current mode of sale known as the Build-To-Order (HDB) programme launched in 2001. This is run alongside the Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise which handles the sale of balance flats from earlier BTO exercises, unsold SERS replacement flats and flats which were repossessed by the HDB. The sale of EC and DBSS flats are conducted separately by the respective private developers.
Under the current sales schemes, successful applicants for new BTO flats typically have to wait several years before moving in while the flats were built, since the commencement of construction can only occur when the BTO successfully attains 65~70% sales. Applicants who wish to move in immediately or earlier thus have to participate in the SBF exercise (although some flats may still be under construction) or go for Resale Flats.
| Programmes | Abbrev | Start | End | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registration for Flat | RFS | 1980s | Feb 2002 | Any surplus units from BTOs, balance BEs or HDB buy-back schemes through balloting method |
| Walk In Selection | WIS | Mar 2002 | Feb 2007 | |
| Sale of Balance Flats | E-Sale | Apr 2007 | - | |
| Balloting Exercise | BE | Aug 1995 | - | Only available for initial large surplus units of SERS |
| Build-To-Order (HDB) | BTO | Apr 2001 | - | Buying a new flat with a waiting period of 4 years |
| Design, Build and Sell Scheme | DBSS | Oct 2006 | - | Buying a new condominium design flat build by private developer |
There are a number of eligibility conditions in order for a flat to be purchased. A buyer must be a Singaporean citizen, or P.R. and be 21 years of age and have a family. Non-citizens and singles are not allowed to purchase new HDB flats. Other requirements concern household status, time requirements, income and other special requirements. The apartment flats are typically sold on a 99-year lease-hold.
| New HDB Flat | New DBSS Flat | New EC Flat | New Studio Apartment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | Applicant: Citizen Family nucleus: At least another citizen or PR |
Applicant: Citizen Joint Applicant (if any): Related must be a Citizen; Non-related must be Citizen or PR |
||
| Age | 21 years old | 21 years old (35 for joint singles) | 55 years old (Joint Applicant, if any: Related=21 years old; Non-related=35 years old | |
| Family Nucleus | Any of the following combinations: • Applicant+Spouse+Children (if any) • Applicant+Parents+Siblings (if any) • Widowed/divorced applicant+Children under legal custody • Applicant+fiance/fiancee • Orphaned applicant+unmarried siblings |
Any of the following combinations: • Applicant+Spouse+Children (if any) • Applicant+Parents+Siblings (if any) • Widowed/divorced applicant+Children under legal custody • Applicant+fiance/fiancee • Orphaned applicant+unmarried siblings • Orphaned applicant+single unrelated orphan • Single applicant+another single person |
Either: • Applicant+Spouse • Unmarried, divorced or widowed applicant |
|
| Gross Monthly Household Income Ceiling | 2-room (non-mature towns/estates): $2,000 2-room (mature towns/estates): $5,000 |
$10,000 ($12,000 for extended families) | $12,000 with tiered subsidies | $8,000 |
With effect from August 15, 2011, the HDB revised upwards the monthly household income ceiling for the purchase of new flats from $8,000 to $10,000. The $8,000 income ceiling was implemented in 1994.
Below are the priority schemes available when applying for a flat from HDB.:
| Type of flat | Type of scheme |
|---|---|
| New flats from HDB | Multi-Generation Priority Scheme (MGPS) |
| Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS) | |
| Third-Child Priority (TCP) Scheme | |
| Tenants Priority Scheme (TPS) | |
| Ageing-in-Place Priority Scheme (APPS) | |
| DBSS Flats from Developers | Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS) |
| Third-Child Priority (TCP) Scheme | |
| Executive Condominium (EC) from Developers | Priority Schemes are not applicable for Executive Condominium. |
Read more about this topic: Public Housing Precincts In Singapore, Ownership and Rental
Famous quotes containing the word flats:
“I have a Vision of the Future, chum.
The workers’ flats in fields of soya beans
Tower up like silver pencils, score on score.”
—Sir John Betjeman (1906–1984)