Asked by Mr. Syed Ahmad Bin Syed Sheikh
Over a month ago, on 1st November 2025, my younger brother, aged 31 and single, who is my only sibling, informed me of his decision regarding the HDB flat. He sent me both a WhatsApp message and a registered letter to the flat, stating that I must vacate the flat by 16th January 2026, as he intends either to rent out the entire unit or to sell it.
The flat was previously owned jointly by my mother and my younger brother. After my mother passed away 11 months ago, my younger brother became the sole owner of the flat.
I am currently staying in the flat only as an occupier. I am 34 years old, single, and both of my parents have passed away.
My younger brother stated that his decision to sell or rent out the flat was due to his financial situation. However, we have not been on good terms for a long time. Regardless of whether the flat is sold or rented out, I will no longer be able to return to the flat if he proceeds with renting it out.
He has also stated that if I do not vacate the flat by 16th January 2026, he will take legal action to repossess the flat vacant.
I later found out that I may be eligible to apply for an HDB flat even though I have not yet turned 35, as I fall under the Single Orphan category, where applications are allowed from the age of 21.
Given that both my parents have passed away and I am below 35, may I apply for an HDB flat under the Single Orphan Scheme on my own, or is it compulsory for me to include my sibling in the application?
If I am not eligible to apply on my own under this scheme, I would like to know what other housing options are available to someone in my situation.
Renting a room on the open market is not my preferred option, as house rules are entirely set by the owner and I would have little control over daily living arrangements. I am also not comfortable living with an owner or with other tenants who are strangers to me.
Renting an entire HDB unit is also not suitable for me, and buying or renting private property is not a realistic option, as both are expensive and beyond my financial means.
The flat was previously owned jointly by my mother and my younger brother. After my mother passed away 11 months ago, my younger brother became the sole owner of the flat.
I am currently staying in the flat only as an occupier. I am 34 years old, single, and both of my parents have passed away.
My younger brother stated that his decision to sell or rent out the flat was due to his financial situation. However, we have not been on good terms for a long time. Regardless of whether the flat is sold or rented out, I will no longer be able to return to the flat if he proceeds with renting it out.
He has also stated that if I do not vacate the flat by 16th January 2026, he will take legal action to repossess the flat vacant.
I later found out that I may be eligible to apply for an HDB flat even though I have not yet turned 35, as I fall under the Single Orphan category, where applications are allowed from the age of 21.
Given that both my parents have passed away and I am below 35, may I apply for an HDB flat under the Single Orphan Scheme on my own, or is it compulsory for me to include my sibling in the application?
If I am not eligible to apply on my own under this scheme, I would like to know what other housing options are available to someone in my situation.
Renting a room on the open market is not my preferred option, as house rules are entirely set by the owner and I would have little control over daily living arrangements. I am also not comfortable living with an owner or with other tenants who are strangers to me.
Renting an entire HDB unit is also not suitable for me, and buying or renting private property is not a realistic option, as both are expensive and beyond my financial means.
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