Take-up Rate for 2-room HDB Flats

Mr Png Eng Huat asked the Minister for National Development as of June 2016 (a) what is the number of 2-room HDB flats, including studio apartments, that have been built and left unsold; (b) what is the percentage of 2-room flats on 99-year lease versus flexi-lease that have been sold; and (c) what is the number of flexi-lease 2-room flats, including studio apartments, that have been returned to HDB and what are the main reasons for such returns.

As of June 2016, there are about 2,200 2-room Flexi flats, including studio apartments (SAs), which are unsold. About 40% of these are completed while 60% are still under construction. These flats make up about 7% of the total number of 2-room Flexi flats and SAs that HDB has offered. About 60% of these units have been offered in the last two Sale of Balance Flats exercises and are pending selection.

Since HDB introduced 2-room Flexi flats in the November 2015 sales exercise, 70% of the units were bought on 99-year leases while 30% were bought on short leases.

As of June 2016, no 2-room Flexi flat bought on short leases has been returned to HDB, while about 540 SAs have been returned to HDB. The main reasons for these returns were demise of the owner or the owners moving to stay with their family.