AskGuru Q&A Community

Hi there, as a essential occupier in the current HDB you are currently staying, you are not considered as a owner of this HDB. For your next intended property purchase, you will only be subjected to the normal stamp duties with no extra or additional fees. Do let me know if you have any other concerns on your next property purchase and I will assist accordingly. drop me a whatsapp/call for a more detailed discussion for your upcoming property journey. Cheers
Rix
 9687 1379  Read More

Hi,

Yes you are only considered as essential occupier and not to have own any hdb or property. There will no ABSD since its your first property purchase, but normal Buyer Stamp Duties still apply. I am contactable at 97432395  for further discussion.

Hope the above clarifies. May I have more info and requirements about your plans so as to make better recommendations? Thanks and look forward to value-add to your housing plans.

Warm Regards,

Ivan Ng Realtor
ERA Senior Marketing Director
ERA Diamond Achiever

SEAA Salesperson Achievement Award 2021 (Gold)
SEAA Singapore Accredited Mortgage Planner (SAMP)

ERA Top 93th Achiever for Full-Year 2020 (Top 1.5% Company Level)
ERA Top 11th Achiever in June 2020 (Top 1% Company Level)
ERA Top 91th Achiever in 2nd Quarter 2020 (Top 2% Company Level)
ERA Top 15th Achiever in April 2019 (Top 1% Company Level)
ERA Top 86th Achiever in Sept 2019 (Top 2% Company Level)

SMU BBM (Finance), Magna Cum Laude
Proactive. Sincerity. Feedback.

Contact: (+65) 97432395 
Whatsapp: wa.me/6597432395
Email: Ivanng10@gmail.com
IG: instagram.com/ivanngrealtor
WeChat: ivanng10
FB: fb.com/IvanNgRealtor
Web: ivanng10.com/clientreviews
(Client's Testimonials)
CEA: R052114D

**Note: We are not prompted when you respond here, hence please get in touch directly. Look forward to hear from you soon! **

Buyer
Mr Wang & Ms Ng : We want to convey our thanks to Ivan, who helped us find our first home. Ivan was very responsive when we first met, and took time to understand our needs and requirements for our first home. He helped us narrow down our criteria and gave us good advice on how to structure our mortgage as well. He also made a great recommendation of an area we never thought of, and it was where we eventually bought our home. We appreciate Ivan's thoroughness in pros and cons of all our options that we viewed. We never felt pressured or rushed to make a decision. In fact, Ivan gave honest and useful inputs on the considerations of acting immediately or waiting. All in all, it was a very smooth experience and we ate very happy with the unit we bought. Thank you very much, Ivan! Read More

You are right that you are not considered to being a property owner, thus if you intend to purchase a private property, there will be no additional buyer's stamp duty. Read More

Hi, appreciate your sharing. It depends if your name is under occupant, able to purchase after 5 years MOP and whether subjected to ABSD.
Looking forward to assist you at 9696 4398  or email me at stewartlim96964398@gmail.com

Cheers
Stewart-PropNex (Senior Associate Division Director) Read More

Good morning,

you will not be subject to ABSD as Singaporean for your first residential property purchase if you are listed as occupier in your mom's HDB.

Have you speak to a banker in regards to your IPA yet?

Hope my sharing aids in your property needs. Do contact me if you need any assistance.

Best regards,

YT Tan
Property Kaki
You dream. I create. We make it happen!

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Graduate
Singapore Accredited Mortgage Planner

Contact:
Mobile: 9111 51 71 (wa.me/6591115171)
Email: yt.tan91115171@gmail.com

Check out my website: propertykaki.sg

Do follow me on:

IG: instagram.com/propertykaki
FB: https://www.fb.com/propertykaki/
YouTube: https://bit.ly/Youtube_PropertyKaki

To find out what’s the estimated valuation of your existing house, try our SRX property tracker.

You will receive free sms update on a monthly basis.SRX property tracker: http://bit.ly/yt_proptrack Read More

My Answer with regards to your Question:

You're right to be considering your ownership status for property purchases in Singapore. Here's a breakdown of your situation:

Occupier vs. Co-owner: Since you're listed as an occupier and not a co-owner on the HDB flat title, you wouldn't be considered a legal owner of the property

Second Property Taxes: Therefore, when you buy a private property, you'll be treated as a first-time buyer for property taxes. This means you won't be subject to the Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) that applies to second or subsequent property purchases in Singapore.

Here's a quick summary:

Current HDB Flat: Occupier status doesn't grant ownership rights.

Future Private Property Purchase: You'll be considered a first-time buyer for property tax purposes.

Additional Considerations:

HDB Flat Ownership: If you ever plan to co-own the HDB flat with your mother in the future, you might need to explore options like applying to HDB for a change of ownership or purchasing a share from her. This would involve legal procedures and potentially incur costs. Consulting a property lawyer can provide specific guidance on this aspect.

For future reference:

HDB Ownership: (https://www.hdb.gov.sg/residential/buying-a-flat/understanding-your-eligibility-and-housing-loan-options/flat-and-grant-eligibility/singles)

I hope this clarifies your situation regarding property ownership and taxes in Singapore!

Allow me Assist Further Read More

The property market has been buzzing with strong new-launch take-up this quarter — signaling renewed confidence and appetite for growth-oriented investments.

If you’ve been exploring what’s next beyond traditional residential plays, don’t miss this special Consumer Seminar: “The Co-Living Investment Story” — where Eugene Lim, CEO & Founder of The Assembly Place, shares how this asset class has evolved, what drives its returns, and why savvy investors are adding co-living projects into their portfolios.

Date: 13 Nov 2025 (Thu)
Time: 7 pm
Venue: ELTA Sales Gallery (Along Prince Charles Crescent)

Seats are limited — RSVP early to secure your spot and gain exclusive insights straight from an industry leader!

To reserve your seat, contact Geryl Lim @ 9278 7772  .

OrangeTee | Landed7772 – Sure Sell! Read More