### 1. If Your Salary Increases or You Change Jobs Later
Your core BTO eligibility is locked in at the point of your **HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter application**:
* **Flat Eligibility (Income Ceiling):** HDB assesses your monthly household income ceiling ($16,000 for couples/families) based on the 12-month period prior to your HFE application. Even if your combined income later crosses this limit due to promotions or job switches before key collection, **it will not disqualify you from getting your flat** (unless you qualified under Deferred Income Assessment).
* **CPF Housing Grants:** Eligibility for the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) is assessed at the initial HFE stage and locked in at flat booking.
* **Housing Loan Eligibility:** If you take an HDB concessionary loan, HDB reviews your financial position again roughly 3 to 6 months before key collection. A higher salary usually means higher borrowing power, though a job change right before key collection may require updated payslips.
---
### 2. What Happens if You Decide Not to Take the Flat
Under current HDB regulations, the penalties depend strictly on when you drop out:
* **Stage A: You get a queue number, are invited to book, but walk away without selecting a flat:**
* **Non-Selection Penalty:** If there are available units when your turn arrives and you decline to book, you incur a **non-selection count**.
* **Consequence:** First-timer couples who reject a chance to book will have their **first-timer priority stripped for 1 full year** (relegated to second-timer ballot chances). *(Exception: You are exempt from the penalty if there are 10 or fewer flats remaining to choose from).*
* **Stage B: You book a flat (pay the S$500–S$2,000 Option Fee), but cancel before signing the Agreement for Lease:**
* You **forfeit the entire Option Fee**, plus your first-timer priority is suspended for 1 year.
* **Stage C: You sign the Agreement for Lease, then cancel later:**
* You **forfeit 5% of the purchase price** (the initial downpayment), incurred legal fees, and face a 1-year debarment before applying again.
---
Gan Eng Joo Onassis 颜荣裕, REALTOR®
MSc BIT (Middlesex, UK); BBA (UniSA)
CEA Reg No: R021244C | Mobile:
(+65) 88899918
Email: onassis@sgagent.com
SGAgent.com | SGRealtor.com | SGCommercial.com | SGCBD.com
SGShowflat.com | SGNewLaunch.com
Integrated Services: SGCash.com | SGRepair.com | SGLegal.com
Social (Facebook & TikTok): @sgcommercial
Read More
