What are your HDB ballot chances when applying for a BTO flat in Singapore? With the stabilising BTO application rates, HDB announced there will be three HDB BTO launches per year. In 2024, we’re expected to see a total of 19,600 BTO flats offered in the February, June, and October 2024 BTO exercises.
The upcoming October 2024 BTO launch offers 14 projects across nine neighbourhoods, with about 8,500 flats available across Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Bukit Batok, Geylang, Jurong West, Kallang/Whampoa, Pasir Ris, Sengkang and Woodlands. In line with the new Standard, Plus, and Prime BTO categories, securing an HDB BTO ballot number is probably at the top of many young couples’ and prospective homeowners’ minds.
To help you, we’ve put together this article to help you improve your BTO HDB ballot chances. We will run you through the various priority schemes, as well as more tips on how to increase your chances of a successful ballot.
- Why Are the BTO Application Rates So High?
- How Does BTO Selecting Work? Explaining the BTO Balloting System
- How to Improve Your BTO 2023 Application Chances
- HDB SBF Priority Schemes and SBF Ballot Chances
- What Happens If You Give up Your HDB BTO Queue Number?
browse all HDB resale flat listings for sale
If you don’t secure a BTO flat, why not consider a resale flat?
Watch Our Video on How to Improve Your BTO HDB Ballot Chances
How Was the HDB BTO Application Rate for the June 2024 BTO Launch?
While the HDB BTO application rates have come down, there was keen interest in the June 2024 BTO launch. The number of applicants was more than 100% higher than the Feb 2024 BTO exercise.
21,827 applicants were vying for the 6,938 June 2024 BTO flats and the application rate was 3.1. This was the highest application rate since the May 2023 BTO exercise. Many BTO hopefuls applied for five-room flats, with a strong preference for launches in mature HDB estates
HDB BTO Application Rate for June 2024 BTO Launch (First-timers Families)
Jurong East (Teban Breeze)
0.7
1.2
2.0
Woodlands (Marsiling Peak I and Marsiling Peak II)
0.7
1.0
0.6
Yishun (Chencharu Hills)
1.7
2.1
2.5
Kallang Whampoa (Tanjong Rhu Riverfront I and Tanjong Rhu Riverfront II)
0.9
2.1
–
Queenstown (Holland Vista)
–
6.6
–
Tampines (Tampines GreenTopaz)
–
8.2
8.5
Note: The HDB BTO application rate is the number of applicants divided by the allocated flat supply. This works out to a median application rate of 1.9 times for the first-timers families in the June 2024 BTO launch. You can find the detailed breakdown of the June 2024 BTO flat application rate on HDB’s website.
The spike could be due to the June 2024 BTO flat exercise being the last launch prior to the new BTO flat classification. With the new classifications announced during the National Day Rally 2023, tighter restrictions will be put in place for Plus and Prime flats.
Tampines and Queenstown are also popular neighbourhoods, with the two sites offered being particularly attractive. The Tampines June 2024 BTO site is located right next to Tampines West MRT station and there is an upcoming mixed-used development beside the plot.
browse all Tampines HDB resale flat listings
Fancy living in Tampines? Check out the available resale flats.
Meanwhile, the Queenstown June 2024 BTO site is situated near Holland Village MRT station in the heart of the Holland Village lifestyle hub and enclave.
browse all Queenstown HDB resale flat listings
Want to live in a Queenstown HDB resale flat?
How Does HDB BTO Selecting Work? Explaining the HDB BTO Balloting System
In lieu of the latest measures, it’s important to understand how you can improve your BTO HDB ballot chances within the new framework. Before we dive into the topic, we must first understand how the HDB BTO balloting system works.
When applications open, home buyers apply for their desired estate and flat size (e.g. Toa Payoh, 4-room flat) on the HDB website. After applications close, HDB uses an online BTO balloting system to assign balloters BTO queue numbers. Typically, after three to six weeks, the BTO ballot results are released.
To apply, you must ensure you have a valid HDB Flat Eligibility letter. To apply for the HFE letter, you can head over to the HDB flat portal. It takes an average of 21 working days for HDB to process your HFE letter application. So if you’re planning on applying for the October 2024 BTO launch, do ensure you apply for the letter at least six weeks in advance to be safe!
The BTO queue number is the order in which BTO applicants get to pick their flats. This means that if your BTO queue number is within the flat supply (e.g. there are 124 units available and your queue number is 124 and lower), then you are likely to get a flat.
If your queue number is higher than the flat supply (e.g. there are 124 units available and your BTO queue number is 125 and higher), then you will only get the chance to pick a flat if someone ahead of you in the queue decides to pass up their chance.
HDB BTO Queue Numbers Are Assigned Randomly
HDB has a few priority schemes to help increase your chances of getting a BTO queue number. However, BTO queue numbers are assigned randomly, so there is no ‘actual’ way to somehow get a better BTO queue number.
What this means is that while you can double your chances of getting a BTO queue number, you can’t do anything to get ahead in the queue and pick first.
HDB BTO First-timers Get Double the Chances
By default, if you’re a first-timer, you get twice the BTO HDB ballot chances as compared to second-timers. Remember this when you’re making your first application so you don’t waste it.
In the Budget 2023 statement, it is announced that an additional HDB BTO ballot will be given to first-timer families with kids and couples under 40 years old buying their first home. This is to help support young families in securing their flats in a more timely manner.
Get Additional Chances After Multiple Unsuccessful Attempts in Non-mature Estates
0 to 1
0
2*
2
1
3
3
2
4
4
3
5
To help those who have had no luck with your BTO HDB ballot chances, don’t lose hope! If you were unsuccessful for two or more tries (in a non-mature estate), you will get one additional chance per subsequent application.
Consider the Racial Quota/Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) for HDB Flats
The ‘racial quota’ that most people are aware of is the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP), which was introduced in 1989 to encourage racial integration. Basically, for every HDB block or neighbourhood, there is a limit on the total percentage of homes that can be occupied by a certain ethnicity.
Although it’s not something you can do anything about, EIP affects your BTO HDB ballot chances because the actual number of units you’re eligible for depends on the ratio of applicants who apply for a BTO flat’s races.
Say, you got queue number 100, and there is a total flat supply of 124 units. There is a chance that you may not get a unit if the racial quota was already met before your turn. For example, if you’re Chinese and all 90 units allocated for Chinese households were already snapped up, you would not get a chance.
In this case, your application will be nullified, and you won’t be penalised for rejecting an HDB BTO flat.
What If I Get the Last Queue Number Invited for Selection at HDB?
If you’re lucky enough to get a ballot number, congratulations!
For those whose ballot numbers are two digits, you are pretty much assured that you can select the flat you want. But if you get a not-so-great queue number (we’re talking four digits), you may be wondering what the last queue number invited for selection at HDB will be.
First-timer applicants who apply for an HDB BTO project with an application rate of 1.7 or lower usually have a decent shot at selecting a unit. So depending on how many units there are for the launch you’ve applied for, you may still be able to secure a BTO flat.
browse all HDB resale flat listings for sale
If you don’t secure a BTO flat, why not consider a resale flat?
How to Improve Your BTO 2024 Application Chances
Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS)
Stay within 4km of your parents’ home or live together with them
Up to 30% of BTO units for first-timers (Up to 5% for second-timers)
Multi-Generation Priority Scheme (MGPS)
Apply for the same BTO project as parents
For parents, up to 15% of the 2-room Flexi or 3-room flats (minimum 20 units). For the married child household, the corresponding number of 2-room Flexi or larger flats
First-Timer (Parents & Married Couples)
For first-timers with at least 1 Singapore Citizen child aged 18 and below, or married couples aged 40 and below (including couples who are pregnant/expecting)
3 HDB ballot chances when you apply for any flat type in any estate, priority for 4-room or smaller flat in non-mature estates
Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme (FPPS)
For first-timers expecting a child
Up to 40% of BTO units for first-timers
Third Child Priority Scheme (TCPS)
For families with more than two children
Up to 5% of BTO units
Assistance Scheme for Second-timers (Divorced/Widows Parents) (ASSIST)
For divorced or widowed persons with children
Up to 5% (for 2-room Flexi and 3-room flats in non-mature estates only). The quota is shared with the 15% quota for second-timers
Tenants’ Priority Scheme (TPS)
For those who were previously renting an HDB rental flat
Up to 10% of 2-room Flexi and 3-room BTO units
Senior Priority Scheme (SPS)
For elderly residents who want a familiar environment or to live near their family
40% of 2-room Flexi units (subject to a minimum of 100 units for each BTO project) are allocated for the elderly. Of this, half is set aside for this scheme
Note: This list of HDB priority schemes is not exhaustive. There are other HDB priority schemes listed above that can help increase your BTO HDB ballot chances, but these are for niche groups of applicants like divorced/widowed parents, rental flat tenants, and elderly applicants.
1. Stay Within 4km of Your Parents (MCPS)
HDB reserves up to 30% of BTO units for those who apply under the MCPS, which is when you apply for a BTO project within 4km of your parents’ home (HDB flat or private property).
Note: if you apply through the MCPS, the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) will apply to your folks too. They must continue to live within the same radius of your home until the five-year MOP is up.
2. Or Better Yet, Live with Them (MCPS)
Under the same scheme, you can also apply to live together with your parents (i.e. you apply for an HDB BTO flat with them). This will give you first priority within the MCPS quota.
3. Apply for the Same HDB BTO Project as Your Parents (MGPS)
If your parents are also looking for a home, you can both apply to the same BTO project to increase your chances. This is for those who want all three generations of the family to live close by.
Under the MGPS, you can make a joint application for the two separate flats. Your parents can only apply for up to 15% of either 2-room Flexi or 3-room flats, so the BTO project you pick must have this unit mix.
4. Have a Child, or More Children (FPPS and TCPS)
If you are expecting a child, your application will likely be prioritised, since you’ll probably need your home more urgently under the FPPS.
If you have three children, you may also qualify under the TCPS. The flat allocation for this one is lower at up to 5% of the BTO units.
If you qualify for both, your application will first be balloted under the TCPS. If unsuccessful, it will be balloted again, together with other public applicants.
5. Ballot for a BTO Unit in a Non-mature Estate
Non-mature estates tend to see less competitive HDB BTO application rates than mature estates because of:
- Their distance from the city centre
- Their distance from the nearest MRT stations (i.e. having to take a feeder bus)
- Fewer amenities are offered in the immediate neighbourhood of non-mature estates
While these up-and-coming neighbourhoods may not be as developed as their mature estate counterparts, they usually still offer a good amount of F&B options, healthcare facilities, and other services. And though you may not get an MRT station at your doorstep, Singapore’s bus system is highly developed. You’ll likely still be well-connected to public transport systems.
Aside from being more affordable, HDB BTO sites located in non-mature estates can also be ideal for those who enjoy a slower pace of living in a quieter area. Sometimes, these launches are also close to greenery and can even offer unblocked waterfront views.
6. Apply on the Last Day of the HDB BTO Exercise
Successfully balloting for an HDB BTO flat is not contingent on how early you submit your application. It’s not a ‘fastest fingers first’ situation like the Open Booking of Flats (OBF) exercise.
If you really want to secure a flat, monitor the HDB BTO application rates for the various launches in an exercise. Throughout the application period, they are updated every few hours on the HDB website.
Then, on the last day of the HDB BTO application exercise, apply for a flat type in an estate that sees the least competition.
Pro tip: smaller HDB BTO units typically see lower demand, so consider going for a smaller flat if you’re in urgent need of a home.
HDB Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) Priority Schemes and SBF Ballot Chances
| Priority scheme | Allocation |
| MCPS | First-timers: up to 30% Second-timers: up to 3% |
| TCPS | Up to 5% |
| FPPS | Up to 60% |
| TPS | Up to 10% of 2-room Flexi and 3-room flats |
You may be wondering: do the priority schemes also apply to SBF exercises? Yes, similarly, priority schemes such as MCPS, TCPS, FPPS, and TPS also apply to SBF applicants.
Additionally, the allocation is also based on whether it’s a mature or non-mature estate. Regarding the SBF ballot process, it is similar to the BTO balloting process.
But for SBF ballot chances, additional chances are not given to first-timers due to the limited supply; this means you get two SBF ballot chances. But if you qualify under the FT(PMC) category, you will get one additional ballot chance when applying for an SBF exercise; this means you get three SBF ballot chances. For more details, head over to the HDB website.
What Happens If You Give up Your HDB BTO Queue Number?
In some cases, applicants get a queue number or ballot number but end up passing up the opportunity. There are several (completely understandable) reasons why:
- If your queue number is far behind, the units left for selection may not be suitable
- Couples may have broken up and chosen not to proceed with their BTO application
- Some applicants also drop out due to unexpected financial difficulties like job loss, etc.
As you would’ve noticed, first-timers already get improved HDB BTO flat chances. So what happens if you apply, receive a queue number, but then decide to give it up?
You get one ‘free’ pass. However, if you forfeit your flat selection opportunity twice…
For First-timer Households
- Any additional chances accumulated from your past unsuccessful HDB BTO flat attempts will be considered used up
- You will be placed in the second-timer category for one year
- During this year, if you turn down another two chances, the one-year period will be extended
For Second-timer Households
- You will have to wait one year before you apply again
For Applicants Under the Singles Scheme
- You cannot apply under the Singles Singapore Citizen Scheme, Joint Singles Scheme or Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme for one year
There you have it: everything you need to know to maximise your HDB ballot chances. Generally, if you want a new HDB flat, we would encourage you to continue trying until you are successful. As mentioned earlier, your chances actually improve from your third try onward.
For more property news, content and resources, check out PropertyGuru’s guides section.
Looking for a new home? Head to PropertyGuru to browse the top properties for sale in Singapore.
Need help to finance your latest property purchase? Let the mortgage experts at PropertyGuru Finance help you find the best deals.
Disclaimer: The information is provided for general information only. PropertyGuru Pte Ltd makes no representations or warranties in relation to the information, including but not limited to any representation or warranty as to the fitness for any particular purpose of the information to the fullest extent permitted by law. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided in this article is accurate, reliable, and complete as of the time of writing, the information provided in this article should not be relied upon to make any financial, investment, real estate or legal decisions. Additionally, the information should not substitute advice from a trained professional who can take into account your personal facts and circumstances, and we accept no liability if you use the information to form decisions.