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Dear esteemed agent, I have 4 assumptions which I hope you can help to clarify:

1) I and my girlfriend both own our separate HDB flat as a single. When we get married, she has to sell her flat within 6 mths. My HDB flat not yet MOP. So can she buy a private condo under her name only?

2) If she sells her HDB flat n buy a condo under her name only before we get married, can we keep the condo after we get married, since my flat not yet MOP? Does she has to pay ABSD?

3) I own a HDB flat as a single (the MOP of my HDB has passed). My GF owns a private condo. When we get married, does she need to pay ABSD for the condo, which will be considered as our 2nd property as a couple?

4) I own a HDB flat as a single (the MOP of my HDB has passed). My GF owns a partially privatized EC (5 years old but less than 10 years old). When we get married, can we still keep the HDB as a couple without penalty?

Thank you.
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3 Answers

Hi DanDan,

1) If the flats are purchased before your marriage, both of you will be able to continue holding the flat. If she sell off her flat, yes is able to purchase a condo under her own name.

2) Under her own name, she can definitely keep the condo and as it is her first property, ABSD is NOT APPLICABLE.

3) SHe DOES NOT need to pay ABSD as you are not the owner of the condo even when you are not married.

4) Yes, as long as the properties are purchased before marriage, you can keep the HDB without any penalty.

I hope I have managed to provide you with the clarifications. Please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions!

Regards,
Nick Tan
(M) +65 9644 4854 
B.Eng(Chemical)(Hons)(NUS) / Cert-in-REA
(E) nick96444854@gmail.com
SEAA Salespersons Achievement Platinum Award 2020

Visit my website to get to know me better:
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  • DF
    Hi Nick Tan,
    Thanks for your replies. I would like to further clarify the following:
    Your reply to query 1 - "" If the flats are purchased before your marriage, both of you will be able to continue holding the flat""...I thought a married couple cannot hold 2 HDB at the same time, so one must sell rite? Can please clarify. thnks.

    Your reply to query 4 - ""Under her own name, she can definitely keep the condo""... What if she bought an EC which is more than 5 years old but less than 10 years old (partially privatized). Will HDB consider that EC as HDB flat (still partially privatized only) and allow us as a married couple to own a HDB and an EC semi privatized? Thnks.
Robbie Chen Chee Howe
Hi Dandan,

Let me help you with your enquiries:

1) Yes, she can.

2) Yes, she can keep the condo, no ABSD if she's a Singaporean.

3) ABSD is paid upon the purchase of the property, not on marriage. IRAS will not impose ABSD on marriage. Hence, no ABSD is payable when she gets married.

4) Yes, both of you can keep your properties. There is no penalties.

I am experienced and well-versed in both HDB and private transactions. I will be able to assist you in your property plans. Please get in touch with me for a more in-depth discussion.

Should you need require further assistance in matters relating to property, please contact me at my mobile 9748 6305  . I will be happy to assess and share with you the possibilities for you in the current market.

Thank you.

Best regards,
Robbie Chen
 9748 6305 
PropNex Realty Read More
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Hi DanDan,

1) Your questions are very specific therefore it is obvious you are weighing your options and choice before making a move.
2) Once you understand the rules on the different types of housing in Singapore you will definitely be able to clear out all your doubts.
(a) HDB flat: This is wholly under the HDB jurisdiction at all times. Therefore there are different eligibility schemes listed and rules of holding for a different combination of SC & SPR.
This is the most troublesome to buy and hold but it is the cheapest in the market.
(i) A single is an entity
(ii) A married couple is also an entity.
An entity is only allowed to hold on to an HDB flat. This was the main reason why 2 singles have to sell one of their HDB flats after married.

(b) EC: There are 3 stages for EC:
(i) launched till MOP: This period is under the HDB jurisdiction. Thus buy and sell have to follow the HDB rules and regulations.
(ii) MOP till 10 yrs from TOP: This is a semi-privatized period where to SC & SPR, it is a fully privatized condo. Meaning you don't have to be married or reach a certain age to buy it. But you cannot sell it to a foreigner, and a foreigner cannot be an owner of EC within this period.
It meant that if your spouse is a foreigner, he/she cannot register as an owner.
(iii) 10 yrs from TOP and beyond: This is a fully privatized state where it is open to foreigners to own it. Although it is more expensive than HDB, it is very much cheaper than a private condo. Therefore it attracts a lot of foreigners.

(c) Private Condo: This has no restriction on ownership & resident status, anyone can buy and sell it at any time. No MOP or eligibility scheme need to observe. A simple word to describe is you can buy it as long as you can afford it.

3) The next question you are concerned about is before and after marriage. It is quite difficult to generalize it. Therefore will answer your question directly:
(a) Own private before marriage => married to another owns HDB = can keep both HDB & private, assume no changes of ownership in both properties.
(b) Own HDB before marriage => married to another owns HDB = 1 HDB has to sell away and keep only 1 HDB eventually.
(c) No property => married to another owns HDB = Wait for 5 yrs MOP before can buy private property.

4) You will only be subject to ABSD when you are buying a property, and not when you marry.
5) As long as there are no addition or alteration of ownership in both your properties, you should not need to worry about the ABSD.

Hope the above answer your main concerns, but if there are more query, please feel free to contact me at 90110636  , or email: ling.ck7@gmail.com if more information is needed.
I'll be glad to assist.

Best regards
Ling CK
 90110636 
ling.ck7@gmail.com
https://R056727F.propnex.net/
https://www.facebook.com/Homesellerbuyer

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