Big news if you've been thinking of selling your private home and moving into an HDB resale flat: the 15-month wait is officially over.
On 28 July, National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat announced that the 15-month wait-out period for private property owners buying HDB resale flats has been removed with immediate effect. In plain terms, if you sell your condo or private home, you can now buy a non-subsidised HDB resale flat right away — no more counting down 15 months.
Why the rule existed
The wait-out period was introduced in September 2022 as a temporary cooling measure. Back then, HDB resale prices were climbing fast, and the Government wanted to moderate demand from cash-rich private property owners so that buyers with more urgent housing needs — like first-timers — could get priority access to resale flats.
It was always meant to be temporary, and the Government says it has now done its job. HDB resale prices have been stabilising — they dipped 0.1% in Q1 and 0.3% in Q2 this year, following five straight quarters of slower or flat growth. At the same time, more flats are completing their Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) and entering the resale market, giving buyers more options.
Who benefits
Previously, only Singaporeans aged 55 and above moving into a four-room or smaller resale flat were exempt from the wait. Now, the exemption applies to private property owners of all ages — and to former owners too.
That's a meaningful change. HDB has been processing around 1,800 appeals a year from private owners asking to waive the wait, and only about one in four succeeded. Those with pending appeals no longer need to wait for HDB's reply — they can apply for their HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter directly.
What still applies
Before you get too excited, a few rules are still in place:
- The 30-month wait still applies if you're buying a subsidised flat — that means a BTO flat (with or without grants), a resale flat with housing grants, or an EC unit from a developer, or if you're taking an HDB housing loan.
- If you buy a non-subsidised HDB resale flat, you must sell your private property (in Singapore or overseas) within six months of completing the purchase.
- You'll still need a valid HFE letter to buy any HDB flat.
What it means for you
For families looking to right-size, move closer to parents, or free up cash by downgrading, this removes a big logistical headache. No more timing your sale to hit a 15-month window — you can make the move on your own schedule.
If you're weighing whether selling your private home for an HDB resale flat makes sense for your situation, feel free to reach out — we're happy to walk through the numbers with you.
Have a question about this article? Chat with me and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Sources
CNA: 15-month wait-out period for private property owners to buy HDB resale flats removed
The Straits Times: No more 15-month wait-out period for private home owners to buy HDB resale flats