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Sorry to hear about your situation.

I'm a Harvard graduated real estate agent with a decade of experience working on Singapore public policy. We can schedule a free consultation to discuss your options if you need any support.

Some initial thoughts:
1) You may wish to check if you are listed as an *essential* occupier. If so, your brother may not be able to vacate you that easily during this period.

2) As an orphan, HDB may require you and your brother to jointly apply for the next HDB flat to be eligible.

3) You could first try to apply for a HFE letter alone now and see what the outcome is, as HDB guidelines on orphans is broadly written in a way that may allow the flexibility you require.

Kay Cloud
The Harvard Educated Agent
Propnex Realty Pte Ltd
cloud@propnex.com
Tel: (+6.5.) 8.5.6.7.4.5.8.5
Whatsapp -> https://wa.me/6585674585 Read More

Am sorry to hear about your situation. Rightfully, your younger brother being a single, will not be eligible to retain the HDB as well as he needs to fulfill the criteria in owning a flat if he were to retain this flat.

And for since you have a sibling still around, you will not be considered as Single Orphan in this case. For assistance to own a HDB, I believe your only option is to appeal to HDB on your circumstances and see if they will consider your appeal. Read More

Hi,

1) Under orphan scheme, once you have a brother own an HDB flat under orphan scheme. You will not be eligible to buy an HDB flat.
2) You will only eligible to apply for a 2-rm BTO or buy a resale flat under single citizen scheme when you reached 35 yrs old.
3) You could apply for an HFE to confirm your eligibility status instead of only reading the comments propvided.
4) Since your brother is facing only financial issue, and you won't have too much choice by either renting a room from a stranger or pay rental to your brother for a room.
5) Renting from your brother could buy you time to get a 2-rm BTO if possible.
6) Your brother also can't rent out the whole flat since he also need a place to stay anyway.

All The Best!!!

Hope the above answer to 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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Good day to you.

Your brother has inherited the unit through the Right of Survivorship, which means he now holds sole ownership. This situation fulfills the requirements of HDB's Orphan Scheme, which unfortunately prevents you from applying for your own home under this scheme, as it only applies to the first applicant.

As the sole owner, your brother is currently taking steps to prepare the unit for his own use. I recommend that you find temporary accommodation while you wait for your 35th birthday. Once that milestone is reached, you can submit your HFE letter and proceed with purchasing a resale HDB unit under the Single Scheme.

Let’s tackle this challenge step by step.

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I’ll break this down clearly, because your situation is emotionally tough and time-sensitive.

1. Your brother’s position as owner

Legally, once your mother passed on and ownership transferred to your brother, he is the sole owner of the flat. As an occupier, you unfortunately do not have ownership or tenancy rights, even though you have been living there for years.

This means:
• He can ask you to vacate, and
• If you refuse, he can apply to HDB and/or the courts to recover vacant possession.

There is no automatic right for a sibling to remain once ownership changes. So practically speaking, you should prepare to move out by the stated date, even if it feels unfair.

⸻

2. Single Orphan Scheme – very important clarification

This is where there is a lot of misunderstanding online.

❌ You cannot apply alone under the Single Orphan Scheme

Under HDB rules:
• The Single Orphan Scheme is not for individuals
• It requires at least two orphaned siblings applying together
• It is meant to house siblings as a family nucleus

Since:
• You only have one sibling, and
• He is unwilling to apply with you

You do NOT qualify to apply alone under this scheme.

So unfortunately, this path is not available to you.

⸻

3. Can HDB force your brother to include you?

No.

HDB cannot compel an owner to include another person in a flat purchase or retain an occupier. Since your brother is single, below 35, and inherited the flat legally, HDB will not intervene in a family dispute unless there is abuse or elder-care issues (which does not apply here).

⸻

4. What housing options are realistically available to you now?

Given:
• You are 34, single
• Below 35
• Limited finances
• Do not want owner-occupied or shared rentals

Your options are unfortunately limited, but here are the realistic ones, ranked from most to least viable.

⸻

Option A: Apply for HDB Public Rental Flat (very important)

This is the most suitable and overlooked option in your situation.

You may qualify if:
• You have no property
• Low income or unstable housing
• Orphaned, with no parental support
• Facing loss of accommodation

HDB does make exceptions for people below 35 in hardship cases.

These are:
• 1-room or 2-room public rental flats
• Heavily subsidised rent
• Not shared with owners or random tenants

This gives you:
• Stability
• Control over your own space
• Time to rebuild finances until 35

You should apply immediately and explain:
• Your orphan status
• Imminent eviction
• Lack of alternative housing

⸻

Option B: Temporary accommodation / interim rental

If timelines are tight:
• HDB may offer interim housing
• Or refer you to social service agencies that coordinate short-term housing

This is not ideal, but it buys you time.

⸻

Option C: Buy HDB only when you turn 35

Once you turn 35:
• You can buy a 2-room Flexi BTO or
• A resale flat under the Singles Scheme

But this does not solve your immediate housing problem before January.

⸻

5. What you should do immediately (practical steps)
1. Do not rely on the Single Orphan Scheme
– it will not work alone
2. Contact HDB ASAP and ask specifically about:
• Public Rental Flat eligibility
• Interim housing due to loss of accommodation
3. Prepare documents:
• Death certificates of parents
• Letter from brother demanding vacancy
• Proof of income / finances
4. Mentally prepare to vacate
– even if you are appealing, do not assume you can stay

⸻

6. A note on fairness vs law

What’s happening to you feels harsh, and many people would find it morally troubling. But HDB housing is governed strictly by legal ownership, not family sentiment. Unfortunately, the law sides with ownership, not occupancy.

⸻

If you want, I can:
• Help you frame your appeal to HDB properly so it doesn’t get rejected on technical grounds
• Walk you through public rental application strategy
• Help you plan a clear housing roadmap until 35 Read More

(✔1) Your younger brother, being single, does not meet HDB requirements to keep the flat on his own, and you are not classified as a Single Orphan since you still have a sibling.

(✔2) Once one sibling owns an HDB flat under the Orphan Scheme, the other sibling will no longer qualify to buy another HDB under the same scheme.

(✔3) As a single citizen, you can only apply for a 2-room BTO or purchase a resale flat after turning 35, under the Single Singapore Citizen Scheme.

(✔4) Instead of relying on online opinions, applying for an HFE letter will give you an official and clear confirmation of your eligibility status.

(✔5) Given the current situation, your short-term housing options are limited to renting a room externally or paying rent to your brother to stay in the same flat.

(✔6) Staying with your brother can serve as a temporary solution while you wait to qualify for a 2-room BTO or plan your next move.

(✔7) In Singapore’s context, an early appeal to HDB with proper documentation sometimes helps clarify options, even if approval is not guaranteed.

Summary: Current rules limit both ownership and eligibility, short-term renting may be necessary, and long-term planning should focus on age-based eligibility and formal HDB assessment.

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” — Albert Einstein
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