When it comes to housing and homeownership, we often think of Build-To-Order (BTO) eligibility and Resale HDB criteria. The first thing that comes to mind for most people when talking about housing is HDB flats—public housing found throughout Singapore, providing homes for about 3.19 million residents as at 31 March 2025 (close to eight-tenths of the total resident population).
To be eligible for these flats, individuals must meet the eligibility criteria and other regulations set by the Singapore government, which are designed to ensure these flats are allocated to those who need them most.
HDB flats come in various configurations to meet the diverse needs of different citizens. These include 2-Room Flexi Flats, popular among the elderly, to larger 5-Room units and Executive Maisonettes. Additionally, there are 3-Gen flats designed for multi-generational families and Jumbo Flats.
Continue reading to learn more about BTO eligibility and resale HDB criteria.
Table of Contents
2023 BTO Eligibility and Resale HDB Criteria
| Eligible Applicant/Family Nucleus | You must qualify under at least one of these schemes: Public Scheme, Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme, or Orphans Scheme |
| Citizenship | For a new flat, and for a resale Plus or Prime flat: at least one applicant must be a Singapore Citizen, and the other a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident (PR). For a resale Unclassified or Standard flat: the applicant may be an SC or an SPR; where there is no SC applicant, all applicants and core occupiers must have held SPR status for at least 3 years |
| Age | At least 21 years old (for widowed or orphaned individuals) or 35 years old (for unmarried or divorced individuals) |
| Income Ceiling | The applicant’s income must be within the income ceiling for the desired flat type |
| Property Ownership | The condition depends on your route. Buying a new flat, a resale Plus or Prime flat, a resale Unclassified or Standard flat with a CPF housing grant other than the Proximity Housing Grant, or taking an HDB housing loan: applicants must not own or have an interest in any local or overseas private residential property, and any such property must have been disposed of at least 30 months before the HFE letter application; on these routes the household may also hold at most 1 non-residential property. Buying a non-subsidised resale Unclassified or Standard flat, with or without the Proximity Housing Grant: any private residential property you hold must be disposed of within six months of completing the purchase. Because the conditions turn on flat classification, grant and financing route, check your own case against HDB’s eligibility conditions.
Previous housing subsidies affect grant eligibility, not your ability to buy a resale flat. HDB counts you as having taken a housing subsidy if you have bought a flat from HDB, a resale flat with a CPF Housing Grant, a DBSS flat from a property developer, or an EC unit from a property developer — buying a resale flat on the open market without a grant is not itself a subsidy. If you have taken one, you are a second-timer for a further subsidised purchase, but that does not by itself prevent you from buying a resale flat. |
Firstly, HDB flats are subsidized public housing for Singapore citizens, so not everyone is eligible to purchase one.
If you’re still unsure, you can visit the official HDB website to perform a final BTO eligibility check.
You need an HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter whether or not you take an HDB housing loan. For a new flat, you must hold a valid HFE letter when you apply to buy from HDB. For a resale flat, you must hold one before you obtain an Option to Purchase (OTP) from the seller, and again when you submit your resale application. The application has two steps — the preliminary eligibility check (Step 1) and the HFE letter application (Step 2) — which must be completed within 30 calendar days of each other. HDB states that processing takes up to a month once the full set of documents is received, and longer around a sales exercise, so apply early.
However, if you are buying a resale HDB flat, the property-ownership conditions depend on which route you take: for a non-subsidised resale Unclassified or Standard flat bought without a CPF Housing Grant (other than the Proximity Housing Grant) and without an HDB housing loan, you may dispose of any private residential property you own within six months of completing the purchase; for a resale Plus or Prime flat, or where you take a CPF Housing Grant other than the Proximity Housing Grant, or an HDB housing loan, the stricter condition applies — you must not own or have an interest in any local or overseas private residential property, and any such property must have been disposed of at least 30 months before your HFE letter application. Income ceilings follow the same split — see the income ceiling section below.
If you are considering how to own both an HDB flat and a condominium, here’s how you can do it.
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To apply for an HDB flat, you first need to check if you qualify for one of the following three BTO eligibility schemes.
Public Scheme
To qualify for this scheme, you need to form a family nucleus with any one of the following:
• Spouse, and children (if any);
• Parents, and siblings (if any);
• Children under your legal custody, care, and control (if widowed/divorced).
Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme
Under this scheme, you will form a family nucleus with your future spouse. If you haven’t already, you must solemnize your marriage within three months of receiving the keys to your flat. HDB will require a copy of your marriage certificate.
If you are married before collecting your keys, you can submit a photocopy when you visit the HDB Sales Office to collect them.
If you register your marriage after collecting the keys, you will need to submit your marriage certificate to your respective HDB branch.
Orphans Scheme
Under this scheme, you and your siblings who are orphans and single — unmarried, divorced or widowed — form the core family nucleus. All siblings must be listed in the same application and must not separately apply for, own or rent another flat. A divorced or widowed sibling who has children and can form a family unit on their own does not qualify through this route. Additionally, at least one of the deceased parents must have been a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident.
What If I Don’t Qualify for Any of the Above Schemes?
Perhaps your spouse is not a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident, or you don’t plan to get married anytime soon. However, you may still be eligible for several other schemes, but your choice of flat type will be limited to a 2-Room Flexi Flat.
HDB Single Singapore Citizen Scheme
To qualify for the Single Singapore Citizen Scheme, you need to be:
- A Singapore Citizen
- A first-time homebuyer
- At least 35 years old
- Single (unmarried, divorced, or widowed)
HDB Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme
You are eligible for this scheme if:
- You are a first-time applicant
- Your spouse is neither a Singapore Citizen nor a Permanent Resident
- Your spouse must hold a valid Visit Pass or Work Pass when you apply for the flat
If you and your spouse have children who are Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents, you can opt to buy a flat under the Public Scheme.
HDB Joint Singles Scheme
This is for those who do not wish to apply under the HDB Single Scheme because they want to live with friends or companions. Under this scheme, you and up to three co-applicants can apply for a 2-Room Flexi Flat together, provided all applicants meet the following criteria:
- All must be Singapore Citizens
- All must be 35 years old and above
- Core members must be first-timers — anyone who has taken a housing subsidy is a second-timer and cannot buy another subsidised new flat (previous subsidies do not affect eligibility to buy a resale flat)
- Submit the application together as co-applicants
First-Timer vs. Second-Timer Applicants
If you are a first-timer applicant, it means you have never received any form of housing subsidy or similar benefits.
If your spouse is a second-timer applicant but you are a first-timer, you will both enjoy first-timer benefits if you apply as a couple.
Here are the benefits first-timer applicants enjoy when applying for BTO flats, DBSS flats, and Executive Condominiums (ECs).
Benefits for First-Timer Applicants
| Flat Type | Benefits |
| Build-To-Order (BTO) | More BTO flats reserved for you
Can participate in Priority Schemes
More ballot chances (depending on the specific scheme you apply for)
Additional ballot chance after unsuccessful attempts (for BTO applications for Standard flats)
May be eligible for Deferred Income Assessment and the Staggered Downpayment Scheme
|
| DBSS (Design, Build and Sell Scheme) | Within the first month of launch, 95% of flats will be reserved for first-timer families |
| Executive Condominium (EC) | Within the first month of launch, 70% of condos will be reserved for first-timer families |
Benefits for Second-Timer Applicants
| Flat Type | Benefits |
| Build-To-Order (BTO) | More affordable short-lease 2-Room Flexi Flats
You can apply for an HDB concessionary loan
May be eligible for grants and subsidies
Priority allocation |
Income Ceiling for BTO Eligibility
This is one of the most important eligibility criteria for buying an HDB flat in Singapore. If you wish to buy a resale HDB flat, whether an income ceiling applies depends on the flat’s classification: resale Unclassified or Standard flats have no income ceiling, provided you are neither applying for a CPF Housing Grant (other than the Proximity Housing Grant) nor taking an HDB housing loan, while resale Plus and Prime flats do have one. In other words, your household income must be within the ceiling to be eligible for CPF Housing Grants (excluding the Proximity Housing Grant) or an HDB housing loan.
Regarding BTO eligibility, if your household’s monthly income exceeds the income ceiling for the flat you want to apply for, you cannot purchase it, even if you meet other criteria such as citizenship and family structure.
The household’s monthly income will include the income of all occupants listed in your BTO application.
Updated figures (24 August 2026): the income ceilings for HDB flats were raised at the 2026 National Day Rally on 23 August 2026, and every income ceiling in this article has been updated to the revised figures. The revised ceilings apply to those who apply for an HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter from 24 August 2026; households whose HFE application was submitted before that date are assessed under the previous ceilings. Per HDB: households already eligible under a valid HFE letter are unaffected, and those who were ineligible under the previous ceiling and have not yet submitted a flat application may cancel the existing HFE letter or application and submit a new one to be assessed under the revised ceilings, with the income assessment period based on the date of the new application. Source: HDB, Increase in Income Ceilings and Greater Support for Families with Children, 23 August 2026.
| Flat Type | Income Ceiling |
| 4-Room or larger flat | $16,000, or $24,000 for multi-generational families |
| 3-Room flat | Income ceiling of $8,000 or $16,000, depending on the project |
| 2-Room Flexi Flat | Income ceiling of $8,000 for a 99-year lease
Income ceiling of $16,000 for a short lease (15 to 45 years) |
Income Ceiling for Extended or Multi-Generational Families
| Family Type | Income Group A | Income Group B |
| Parents and single children | Parents and one of the single children | Other single children |
| Parents and married child | Parents and all working children (if any) | Married child and their children (if any) |
If you are applying for a flat with your extended family members, the income ceiling is calculated slightly differently. It is based on the total income of two groups within your family.
For example: You, your spouse, and three working children want to buy a new flat, and your average gross monthly incomes are as follows:
- You: $5,000
- Your spouse: $6,000
- Child A: $4,000
- Child B: $3,000
- Child C: $2,000
| Group A Income: Income of parents and one single child
Cannot exceed $16,000 |
Group B Income: Income of other single children
Cannot exceed $16,000 |
Multi-Generational Family Income Ceiling
Total income of Group A + Group B cannot exceed $24,000 |
| You: $5,000
Your spouse: $6,000
Child C: $2,000 |
Child A: $4,000
Child B: $3,000 |
Group A: $13,000
Group B: $7,000 |
| Total: $13,000 | Total: $7,000 | Total: $20,000 |
What is considered my household’s monthly income?
Here are the types of income that HDB considers for income assessment:
- Allowances received regularly (fixed/variable) (e.g., meal, transport, laundry, uniform allowances)
- Living allowances
- Student allowances
The following income types are not included in your monthly income:
- Alimony
- Bonuses
- Director’s fees
- Ad-hoc overtime income
- Interest from savings accounts
- National Service allowance
- Rental income
- Overseas scholarship allowance
- Overseas allowances for applicants on scholarship — note that overseas cost of living allowances for working persons ARE counted as household income
- Pensions
What are the Criteria for HDB Loan Eligibility?
Most first-time homebuyers will have to take out a loan to pay for their HDB flat and will choose between an HDB loan and a bank loan. If you plan to take out a loan but are confused by the complex banking jargon, consult our mortgage experts for help. They will provide professional advice and make the entire process smoother, all for free!
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If you intend to apply for an HDB loan, you first need to obtain an HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter. The HFE letter replaced the former HDB Loan Eligibility (HLE) letter and assesses, in one application, your eligibility to buy a flat, to receive housing grants, and to take an HDB housing loan. The HDB loan eligibility requirements are as follows:
| Citizenship | At least one buyer must be a Singapore Citizen |
| Household Status | Have not previously received two or more housing loans from HDB
Have previously received one HDB housing loan, and the last property owned was not a private residence (local or overseas), such as:
HUDC flat
Property acquired as a gift
Property acquired as a beneficiary of a will or under the Intestate Succession Act
Property owned/acquired/disposed of in the name of another person |
| Income Ceiling | Average gross monthly household income does not exceed:
Family: $16,000 Extended/Multi-generational Family: $24,000 Singles: $8,000 (for purchasing a 5-room or smaller resale flat under the Single Singapore Citizen (SSC) Scheme, or a new 2-room Flexi flat on a 99-year lease from HDB) |
| Property Ownership | You have not owned or disposed of any local or overseas private residential property in the 30 months before applying for the HFE letter
At the time of the HFE letter application, all applicants and occupiers may, as a household, own or have an interest in up to 1 non-residential property (regardless of the share of ownership); if they own more than one, the others must have been disposed of at least 30 months before the application |
Afterward, you can check your HFE letter application status through HDB. The amount of the HDB loan you can get also depends on the remaining lease of the flat.
HDB Loan: How Much Can You Borrow? What is the Loan Tenure?
| Age | Allowed, subject to | Loan tenure is the shortest of the following |
| ≥ 95 years | New flat: 75% of the purchase price*. Resale flat: 75% of the lower of the resale price or the flat’s value* | 25 years
65 years minus the average age of the buyers, or
Remaining lease at the time of flat application minus 20 years |
| < 95 years | The 75%* Loan-to-Value (LTV) limit is pro-rated based on the extent that the remaining lease can cover the youngest buyer until the age of 95 | 25 years
65 years minus the average age of the buyers, or
Remaining lease at the time of flat application minus 20 years |
*Applicable to complete resale applications received by HDB on or after 20 August 2024, and to flat applications from the October 2024 sales exercise onwards
Bank Loans in Singapore
In Singapore, it is easier to get a bank loan than an HDB loan. Each bank has a different method for assessing HDB loan eligibility, but as long as your financial situation is stable and you have good credit, your bank loan is likely to be approved.
For bank loans in Singapore, the Loan-to-Value (LTV) limit is up to 75% — of the purchase price for a new flat, or of the lower of the resale price and the flat’s value for a resale flat — with a minimum cash payment of 5% of the price or value, whichever is lower. The balance may be paid in cash and/or CPF Ordinary Account (OA) savings. These are maximums, not fixed figures. Per HDB, banks may impose restrictions on flats with shorter remaining leases, and a lower LTV limit applies if your repayment period exceeds 25 years or you have other outstanding housing loans. The minimum cash payment depends on the applicants’ age, the loan period, and whether there are outstanding housing loans, and the final amount rests on the bank’s own assessment.
Can Singapore Permanent Residents (PRs) Buy an HDB Flat?
If there is no Singapore Citizen in the application — that is, an all-SPR household — you can only buy a resale flat, and only a resale Unclassified or Standard one. An SPR applying together with a Singapore Citizen is not limited in this way: an SC-led household may include an SPR and buy a new flat from HDB, or a resale Plus or Prime flat, under the ordinary conditions.
This means you can only buy a resale flat under the Public Scheme or Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme. You cannot apply to buy one alone; you need to have a family nucleus to apply.
You also need to meet the following four main conditions:
- Must be at least 21 years old
- Where there is no Singapore Citizen applicant, all applicants and core occupiers must have held SPR status for at least three years (this does not apply when applying together with a Singapore Citizen)
- After purchasing a resale flat, you cannot sell the unit during the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP). Renting out the whole flat is not merely deferred by the MOP: HDB allows whole-flat rental only for Singapore Citizen owners who have met the MOP and obtained HDB’s approval; Permanent Resident owners may rent out bedrooms only; and owners of Plus and Prime flats are not allowed to rent out the whole flat at all
- The private-property condition depends on the route. Buying a non-subsidised resale Unclassified or Standard flat, with or without the Proximity Housing Grant: any local or overseas private residential property you hold must be disposed of within six months of completing the purchase. Buying a resale Plus or Prime flat, buying with a CPF housing grant other than the Proximity Housing Grant, or taking an HDB housing loan: you must not own or have an interest in any private residential property, and any such property must have been disposed of at least 30 months before the HFE letter application.
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