Minimum Occupation Period for Beneficiaries Who Have Inherited HDB Flats

Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for National Development whether beneficiaries who have inherited HDB flats are required to occupy the flat for the minimum occupation period from the date of the ownership of the flat by the deceased or from the date of inheritance of the HDB flat.

Beneficiaries who have inherited a Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat but do not wish to stay in it may sell the flat or return it to HDB. Alternatively, beneficiaries can choose to take over ownership of the flat, if they meet the conditions to do so.

For such cases, the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) will apply, as it does for all flat owners. If the beneficiaries were already occupiers of the flat prior to the demise of the original owner, the MOP will begin from the time that they were first included as occupiers of the flat. Otherwise, they will need to fulfil a fresh MOP after taking over ownership of the flat. This upholds the owner-occupation intent of public housing.