Can You Buy A Subsidised BTO Flat For The 3rd Time?

Fiona Ho8 May 2019

According to MND, HDB received around 790 appeals to purchase a third subsidised flat over the past five years. Of this, around 170 have been approved.

Under current regulations, all eligible Singaporeans can acquire two subsidised Build-to-Order (BTO) flats from the Housing and Development Board (HDB), with a resale levy paid for the second acquisition.

However, seniors aged 55 and above are allowed to purchase a third flat from HDB, but is limited only to a two-room Flexi flat on a short lease, said the Ministry of National Development (MND) in a written answer to Parliament on Monday (6 May).

“We are unable to extend housing subsidies for non-elderly households to buy a third new flat, as this would not be fiscally sustainable,” the ministry said in response to MP Gan Thiam Poh’s questions on appeals for BTO units from applicants who have already bought two BTO flats.

“However, HDB does receive such appeals and will consider each one on a case-by-case basis,” the ministry said, adding it has received around 790 appeals to purchase a third subsidised flat over the past five years. Of this, around 170 have been approved, due to exceptional circumstances.

“In particular, if an appellant and his/her spouse are buying a subsidised flat together, and the spouse is a first-timer, HDB may consider making an exception on account of the fact that the spouse has not yet taken up any housing subsidy.”

Can’t wait for the next BTO exercise? Find HDB flats for sale or read our HDB guides to help you make better-informed property decisions. Can you afford an HDB flat? Check your affordability now. 

Fiona Ho, Digital Content Manager at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact her about this or other stories, email fiona@propertyguru.com.sg

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