HDB Flat Eligibility (2025): Guide to BTO and Resale Eligibility in Singapore

How Do HDB Eligibility Schemes Work in 2025?

Public Scheme

• Designed for families or households forming a valid family nucleus.
• The family nucleus can include spouses and children, parents and siblings, or children in legal custody.
• At least one applicant must be a Singapore Citizen, and at least one other must be either a Singapore Citizen or a Permanent Resident.
• The income ceiling for families applying under this scheme is generally $14,000 average gross monthly household income ($21,000 if including extended/multi-generation households).
• Applicants must not own private property or have sold any in the last 30 months.

Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme

• Applicable to couples engaged to be married but not yet married at the time of application.
• Requires submission of the marriage certificate within three months after flat resale transactions.
• Same citizenship and income rules as the Public Scheme apply.

Single Singapore Citizen Scheme

• For unmarried/divorced Singapore Citizens aged 35 and above (orphans qualifying from age 21).
• Applicants can apply only for two-room Flexi flats in all locations (traditionally only mature estates, but since late 2024 also mature estates).
• Monthly income ceiling of $7,000.
• Singles pay a premium compared to families but may access special grants.

Joint Singles Scheme

• For groups of two to four single Singapore Citizens applying jointly to form a household.
• Co-applicants must all be Singapore Citizens.
• Average household income must not exceed $7,000 monthly.
• Applicable for buying flats suitable for multiple single occupants wanting to live together.

Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme

• For families where one spouse is a Singapore Citizen and the other is neither a Citizen nor a Permanent Resident.
• The non-citizen spouse must have a valid Long-Term Visit Pass or Work Pass.
• Eligible to apply for two-room Flexi flats only.
• Must be first-time applicants under this scheme.

Orphans Scheme

• Targets orphan siblings who want to buy a BTO flat together.
• At least one deceased parent must have been a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident.
• All siblings must be single and form the applicant group.
• Orphans can apply for flats from the age of 21.

Additional Notes on Eligibility Schemes

• Schemes have specific income ceilings tailored for family or single applicants.
• Applicants must satisfy property ownership restrictions (no private property ownership locally or internationally).
• Minimum Occupation Periods (MOPs) typically require flat occupation for 5 years before resale or rental.
• These schemes determine eligibility for housing grants and priority in BTO balloting.
• Eligibility schemes ensure housing is allocated fairly based on household type, income, and citizenship status.

What Documents Do I Need for a BTO Application?

1. Identification Documents

• NRIC/Identification card for all applicants and essential occupiers.
• Digital IC verification via Singpass is often required for employment verification.
• A passport for any applicants who are permanent residents or foreigners.

2. Family Relationship Proofs

• Marriage certificate if applying with a spouse.
• Birth certificates of children if applying with children or under multi-generation family schemes.
• Divorce certificate (if applicable), especially for divorced applicants applying with children.
• Death certificate (if applicable), for widowed applicants.
• Parents’ marriage certificate and your birth certificate for applications under the Multi-Generation Priority Scheme or Married Child Priority Scheme.

3. Income Proof and Employment Details

• Recent payslips or income statements for all working applicants to prove household income does not exceed income ceilings.
• Employment letters or CPF contribution statements may be requested for income verification.

4. Property Ownership and Sales Declaration

• Statutory declaration for non-ownership of private property locally or overseas.
• Proof of disposal if applicants have sold private property within the last 30 months.

5. HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) Letter

• Must be obtained and submitted before the application. It confirms eligibility to buy BTO flats and the CPF housing grants and loan amounts applicants qualify for.
• It is mandatory for the flat appointment.

6. Other Supporting Documents

• Proof of Long-Term Visit Pass or Work Pass for non-citizen spouses under the Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme.
• Documents supporting any special schemes (e.g., Orphans Scheme, Joint Singles Scheme) as required.

• All documents must be authentic and, where applicable, recent.
• Applicants should ensure they complete the application with accurate and consistent information.
• During the flat booking appointment, additional documents, such as payment receipts for option fees and loan application forms, will be required.
• Key dates for submitting documents are announced by HDB ahead of BTO launches; missing them can affect application processing.

Income Ceilings and How They Affect Eligibility

• Current Income Ceilings:
  • $14,000 for most families applying for three-room flats and larger.
  • $21,000 for extended or multi-generation families applying collectively.
  • $7,000 for singles applying under the Single Singapore Citizen Scheme for two-room Flexi flats.
  • Some three-room flats may cost $7,000 or less, depending on the project.
  • Income Components Considered:
    • HDB calculates applicants’ average gross monthly household income by combining salaries, bonuses, allowances, commissions, employer CPF contributions, rental income, and certain pensions or stipends, averaged over 12 months.
    • Irregular income, like occasional overtime or one-time bonuses, may be excluded or averaged differently.
  • Impact on Eligibility:
    • If the household income exceeds the ceiling for the chosen flat type, the application will be disqualified even if other criteria are met.
    • This ensures BTO flats remain affordable and accessible to lower- to middle-income Singaporeans.
  • Reviews and Adjustments:
    • The income ceilings were last revised in 2019 and are subject to future reviews to keep pace with economic changes and wage growth.
    • As of late 2025, government officials have indicated possible upcoming adjustments to the income ceilings to reflect rising incomes while balancing housing affordability.
  • Special Considerations:
    • Extended families or multi-generation families submit combined incomes for all household members and must collectively meet the higher ceiling.
    • Singles have a stricter ceiling but may benefit from enhanced housing grants.
    • The income ceiling differs between Executive Condominiums (ECs) and resale flats: resale flats have no income ceiling.
  • Practical Example:
    • A couple earning a combined gross monthly income of $10,000 is well within the $14,000 ceiling and eligible to apply for standard four-room BTO flats.
    • If their combined income exceeded $14,000, they would be ineligible for BTO flats, though resale flats or private housing remain options.