Housing & estates — Topics

30 Nov 2022

Converting Underutilised Multi-storey Car Parks and Other Common Areas into Bicycle Parking Spaces

Edward Chia inquired about converting underutilised multi-storey car parks and other common areas for bicycle parking, citing potential space optimisation.
Desmond Lee responded that HDB will consider repurposing such spaces subject to technical feasibility, safety, and resident disamenity factors, but noted current safety codes may not permit conversions in existing car parks.
He added that new housing developments already include bicycle parking at void decks, and the Green Towns Programme will add dual bicycle racks in existing towns by 2024.
For high-demand areas, Town Councils can seek HDB approval to install additional bicycle parking racks at void decks or nearby locations.

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29 Nov 2022

Breakdown of Average Discount Applied to New HDB BTO Flats in Mature and Non-mature Estates in Last Five Years

HDB prices new BTO flats below market value of comparable resale flats to ensure affordability, with the subsidy amount varying by project, launch year, and estate type (mature or non-mature) due to differing market conditions and flat attributes.
The pricing process is separate from development costs, and HDB runs a structural deficit for its homeownership programme, as flat prices are set to help a broad segment of Singaporeans buy homes without heavy cash outlay.
Eligible first-time buyers receive an additional Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (up to $80,000, means-tested), which is applied on top of the market discount and further enhances affordability across income levels.
HDB provides transparent information on comparable resale prices, flat attributes, and affordability metrics (e.g., Mortgage Servicing Ratio) in its sales launches to guide homebuyer decisions.

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29 Nov 2022

Annual Breakdown of HDB Flats Purchased by Age and Flat-type from 2010

Leong Mun Wai requested annual data from 2010 on HDB flat purchases by specific lease and age criteria, including resale flats by buyers under 95 or 85 upon lease expiry, and BTO flats by buyers under 35.
Desmond Lee explained that CPF usage, HDB loans, and housing grants depend on the remaining lease covering the youngest buyer until age 95, with pro-rated benefits if this condition is not met.
From 2011 to 2021, 5.8% to 8.9% of resale flat transactions had youngest owners below 95 upon lease expiry, and 0.5% to 1.2% had youngest owners below 85.
Among households with buyers under 35, 40% to 62% purchased BTO flats, and 94% to 97% of the remaining households bought resale flats with over 60 years of lease remaining.

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29 Nov 2022

Update on Status of Road Noise Barrier and Low-noise Road Surfacing Trials

LTA completed trials on noise barriers and low-noise pavement mix, finding the latter more effective for at-grade expressway sections as it reduces noise at the source, whereas barriers are less effective for higher-floor residents.
LTA will use low-noise pavement mix during resurfacing of at-grade expressway sections near residential areas to reduce noise.
For elevated expressway sections, LTA will consider installing noise barriers where needed, based on factors like distance from buildings.
LTA remains committed to implementing noise reduction measures along expressway stretches near public housing.

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29 Nov 2022

Change in Share of Private Residential Properties and HDB Flats with Outstanding Mortgage Loans Since 2008 Global Financial Crisis

The share of private residential property owners with outstanding mortgage loans rose from 54% in 2011 to 62% in 2013 and has since stabilized at 62% in 2022.
In contrast, the share of HDB flat owners with outstanding mortgage loans decreased from 57% in 2011 to 42% in 2022.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore's stress tests indicate most households are resilient to income and interest rate shocks, though some remain vulnerable under more stressed conditions.
Authorities advise households to prudently manage borrowings, especially when considering new mortgage loans, as interest rates rise.

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29 Nov 2022

Streamlining Process for Online Application of HDB Flats with Real-time Information and Level of Subsidy for Each Applicant

HDB provides e-services on its website to help applicants check eligibility and estimate housing budgets before applying.
For each BTO sales launch, HDB shares indicative prices, project details, and resale comparables on the HDB Flat Portal to aid decision-making.
During the application period, HDB regularly updates flat application rates for each project and suggests applicants target projects with lower rates to improve their chances.
HDB has introduced features like a virtual waiting room to manage high traffic and provide real-time wait estimates, enhancing the user experience.
HDB continuously reviews and improves its systems, welcoming public feedback to ensure better service delivery.

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29 Nov 2022

Owners of HDB Shophouses who Rent Out Their Units

Gerald Giam asked how many HDB shophouse owners are not operating businesses and renting out their units, and how many are foreigners.
Desmond Lee explained that HDB stopped selling shophouses in 1998 and now rents them directly to businesses, but owners of previously sold shophouses can rent them out without informing HDB, so no specific data is available.
A recent study found that 75% of businesses in sold HDB shops are rented out, while 25% are owner-operated.
HDB’s records show that 99% of sold shophouses are owned by Singaporeans or Permanent Residents, with a very small proportion owned by foreigners.

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29 Nov 2022

Review of Monthly Household-income Ceiling for Prospective Buyers of BTO Flats and Executive Condominiums

Ang Wei Neng asked if the income ceiling for BTO flats and Executive Condominiums should be reviewed due to high inflation, and highlighted concerns about rising nominal incomes affecting grant eligibility and the $2,000 gap between income ceilings for BTO and ECs narrowing from 25% to 14% over time.
The Second Minister stated there are no plans to revise the income ceilings, as the current levels (BTO: $14,000; EC: $16,000) already cover about 80-90% of Singaporeans, and adjustments could crowd out lower-income households or worsen resale market competition.
The government is focusing on managing housing affordability through supply ramp-up and demand moderation, and indicated it would consider housing grants separately from income ceiling revisions.

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29 Nov 2022

Educating First-time Home Buyers or Sellers on Non-exclusive Agreements

Dr Tan Wu Meng raised concerns that first-time home buyers or sellers may not be informed about non-exclusive agreements when signing exclusive estate agency agreements, potentially leading to uninformed decisions.
The Senior Minister of State for National Development clarified that while property agents must explain agreements to clients, there is no mandatory requirement to advise on exclusive versus non-exclusive options, though the Council for Estate Agencies promotes consumer education on the differences.
Dr Tan Wu Meng questioned whether omitting the option of a non-exclusive agreement could be considered an unfair practice under consumer protection laws and asked about the fiduciary duty of estate agents to ensure informed consent, especially for inexperienced first-time sellers.
The Senior Minister of State responded that the use of estate agency agreements is not mandatory, agents are required to explain agreement contents, and complaints about exclusive versus non-exclusive agreements are rare, urging consumers to utilize CEA's educational resources for informed decisions.

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29 Nov 2022

Allocation of Percentage of HDB Community Care Apartments for Seniors to Suitable Younger Persons with Disabilities

Denise Phua asked whether a percentage of HDB Community Care Apartments for seniors could be allocated to younger persons with disabilities to support community living.
The Minister replied that Community Care Apartments are a new model designed for seniors, with two pilots still under construction and evaluation needed before expanding the target group.
The government is actively studying options to support persons with disabilities in independent community living through the Enabling Masterplan 2030 task force, which will provide recommendations next year.
Existing disability social service agencies have initiatives for independent living, and the government will support these efforts where possible.
The Minister emphasized ensuring the CCA model adequately serves seniors before considering any expansion to include younger persons with disabilities.

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29 Nov 2022

Spouses of HDB Flat or Executive Condominium Owners who Have Bought Private Properties

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked for the number of spouses of HDB flat and Executive Condominium owners, registered as occupants but not joint owners, who bought private properties in their own name over the past five years.
The Second Minister for National Development stated that HDB does not track data on Executive Condominium occupants after five years from the Temporary Occupation Permit.
HDB's data only indicates whether HDB flat occupants bought private properties after the Minimum Occupation Period, but does not specify if the purchase was in their own name or jointly with others.

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28 Nov 2022

Change in Average Rents by Town and Flat Type in Third Quarter of 2022

The Minister for National Development cited median rental figures from HDB as a better indicator than average rents due to outlier influences.
Data shows median rentals across all towns and flat types increased between Q3 of 2019 and Q3 of 2022, ranging from $300 to $1,150.
The reply emphasized transparency by pointing to HDB InfoWEB for detailed rental trends, noting the rise in rental prices over the three-year period.

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28 Nov 2022

HDB Resale Transactions with Cash-over-valuation by Town and Flat Type

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked for the proportion of HDB resale transactions with cash-over-valuation (COV) and the 25th percentile, average, median, and 75th percentile COV by town and flat type year-to-date.
Desmond Lee explained that HDB resale prices are negotiated between buyers and sellers, with transacted prices published online to guide the market; COV occurs when the resale price exceeds the flat's market valuation and must be paid in cash.
In 2022 up to October, about one in four resale flat buyers paid a COV, improving from 2021 (one in three) but up from 2020 (one in five), with most buyers paying no COV.
For each flat type across all towns, the 25th percentile and median COV were $0, while the 75th percentile ranged from $5,000 to $38,000.

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28 Nov 2022

Price to Income Ratio of BTO Flats in Mature Estates

Pritam Singh requested specific pricing data, mortgage servicing ratios, and house price-to-income ratios for BTO flats in mature estates during the first nine months of 2022.
Desmond Lee explained that higher prices in mature estates are due to their desirable locations and amenities, but HDB provides significant subsidies to ensure affordability alongside non-mature estate options.
Over 80% of buyers in mature estates had a mortgage servicing ratio of 25% or lower, allowing most to cover loans with CPF contributions, and over 70% had house price-to-income ratios below five, which is significantly lower than major international cities.

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28 Nov 2022

Cause of Landslide at Clementi NorthArc BTO Flat Construction Site

The Building and Construction Authority is investigating the cause of the 2 September 2022 landslide at the Clementi NorthArc BTO construction site and will consider enforcement actions under the Building Control Act.
No legal proceedings have been initiated against contractors or subcontractors pending the completion of the investigation.
Agencies managing public land conduct regular slope inspections near park connectors adjacent to large drains, canals, or rivers and may increase inspection frequency during intense wet weather.

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28 Nov 2022

Waiting Time for Applications under HDB's Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme

Mr. Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked about the average waiting time for HDB's Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme applications and the percentage of applicants waiting for BTO completion over the past three years.
Minister Desmond Lee explained that the scheme provides temporary housing for households awaiting key collection for their new HDB flats, with applications opened every two months and shortlisted applicants selected via ballot.
Eligible applicants are invited to select a PPHS flat and sign the tenancy agreement in the month after applying, with keys provided immediately for move-in.
The scheme is intended to assist households who have already booked a flat but are waiting for its completion, offering a provisional housing option during the interim period.
The response did not directly address the specific statistics requested, but clarified the operational process and eligibility criteria for the PPHS.

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28 Nov 2022

Basis for Treating BTO Flat Owner with Marriage Annulled and HDB Subsidy Paid Back as Second-time Applicant

Murali Pillai questioned why an individual who had purchased a subsidized HDB BTO flat, had their marriage annulled, and repaid the HDB subsidy is treated as a second-time applicant for a subsequent BTO flat.
The Minister clarified that after an annulment, the couple must return any housing grants received and may have to surrender the flat to HDB, and thereafter, each owner is considered a first-timer for their next BTO purchase without being treated as having enjoyed a prior subsidy.
The Minister advised individuals facing annulment to approach HDB for assistance and advice on their housing options following the dissolution of their marriage.

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28 Nov 2022

Low-income Families with Bedridden Members Residing in Flats Selected for Home Improvement Programme

Murali Pillai asked what assistance is available for low-income families with bedridden members in HDB flats selected for the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) who cannot find alternative accommodation during works.
Desmond Lee responded that HIP arrangements include upgrading toilets individually to keep one available and providing worker assistance to residents with mobility issues.
The HIP schedule can be adjusted to allow buffer time for residents to stay with relatives or friends, and HDB helps source temporary accommodation in public rental flats case-by-case.
Eligible elderly residents with high care needs can seek referrals for subsidised Nursing Home Respite Care through the Agency for Integrated Care.

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28 Nov 2022

Flat Applications Involving Ex-spouses' Disputes over Listing Child as Essential Occupier

Ms Carrie Tan asked about the number of HDB flat applications over the past five years where ex-spouses disputed listing their child as an essential occupier, whether HDB refers such cases for dispute resolution, and the recommended course of action.
Desmond Lee explained that divorced parents with shared care have equal rights to list their child in a flat application, but both must agree since a child can only be listed in one application.
From January 2018 to October 2022, HDB received 24 such appeals and reviews each case with flexibility to ensure housing options for both parties and their child.
HDB may advise applicants to approach a Family Service Centre for assistance if they cannot reach an agreement with their ex-spouse.

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28 Nov 2022

Subsidies for Prime Location Public Flat Owners

Leong Mun Wai questioned how HDB reassures PLH flat owners that subsidies provided exceed those recovered, whether subsidies recovered are nominal or inflation-adjusted, and if the recovery percentage would be reduced for greater-than-expected price appreciation.
Desmond Lee explained that PLH flats receive additional subsidies to keep prime location housing affordable, with a fixed 6% subsidy recovery rate on resale to prevent disproportionate gains compared to other BTO buyers.
The recovery rate is not tied to the actual subsidy amount, so nominal versus inflation-adjusted recovery does not apply, and the rate remains fixed regardless of price appreciation, allowing owners to benefit from 94% of gains.
PLH buyers are informed of the recovery terms upfront, and the rate only applies if they sell, with the model reviewed periodically to maintain affordability and accessibility.

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