Most of us probably associate an HDB sales launch with HDB BTO flats, but did you know that HDB also has sales launches for Sale of Balance Flats (SBF), Open Booking of Flats and Executive Condominiums (ECs) too?
In this introductory guide, we will walk you through these different types of public housing offered as part of HDB’s sales launches in 2022.
Recent and Upcoming HDB Sales Launches
Already know it all? Then dive straight into shopping for your new home! Here are the latest HDB BTO flat and opening booking of balance flats.
| HDB sales launches | Date | Estate / project |
| Upcoming BTO launch | May 2022 | Bukit Merah, Jurong West, Queenstown, Toa Payoh, Yishun |
| Open Booking of Flats will commence | 23 March 2022 |
Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Bishan, Bukit Merah, Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Clementi, Geylang, Jurong West, Kallang/Whampoa, Pasir Ris, Queenstown, Sembawang, Tampines, Tengah, Toa Payoh, Woodlands |
Related article: HDB Balance Flat (SBF/Open Booking) or Resale Flat: Which Should You Buy?
Unsure about the various types of HDB sales launches? We can help. Let’s begin with HDB BTO flats.
HDB BTO Flats: Available Four Times a Year
First introduced by the government in 2001, BTO flats are what most of us are familiar with when it comes to HDB sales launches.
As the name suggests, BTO flats only begin construction if demand exceeds 70%. BTO launches from HDB take place once every three months (in February, May, August, and November) in which a range of flats will be launched across a few estates. These flats vary in size, from 2-room Flexi to 3Gen flats.
Related article: 2-Room BTO Flat: Who Is It For and 8 HDB Resale Flat Alternatives You Can Buy
One major benefit of getting a BTO flat is that they’re one of the most affordable public housing options in Singapore. For instance, during the recent February 2022 HDB sales launch, the selling price of a 2-room Flexi flat in Yishun started from just $95,000. What’s more, this excludes CPF Housing Grants.
The waiting time for a BTO flat is about three to four years. However, in 2018, HDB started launching certain projects with a shorter waiting time of about 2.5 years. Still, the construction delays brought on by the manpower crunch due to the COVID-19 pandemic spell long waiting times for a BTO flat still.
In early 2019, it was announced that HDB would announce new projects six months in advance, instead of the usual three months. This means home buyers would have more time to plan their BTO flat application. The waiting time for BTO flat applicants has also been halved, from 6 weeks to 3 weeks.
Related article: HDB BTO Application Rate (From 2020 to Now): Which Estates Are The Easiest To Get BTO in
King George’s Heights, the Feb 2022 PLH BTO flats. Source: HDB
HDB launched 3,953 flats under the February 2022 BTO exercise. The flats are spread across several projects: Geylang, Kallang/Whampoa, Tengah, and Yishun. If you didn’t manage to successfully ballot for one of these flats, don’t lose heart. Check out the upcoming May 2022 BTO launches,
Related article: HDB BTO August 2022: The 6 Announced Estates and Where We Hope the BTOs Will Be
HDB Sale of Balance Flats (SBF): Available Twice a Year
If waiting three years for an HDB BTO flat is too long of a wait, perhaps you might want to consider getting a flat through the HDB Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) scheme.
Essentially, the flats that are sold in the HDB SBF sales launches are:
- Unsold flats from previous HDB BTO sales launches
- Surplus SERS replacement flats
- Flats that were given up (eg. applicants decided to break up)
- Flats repurchased by HDB
The good thing about HDB SBF sale launches is that there are more estates that you can choose from, compared to HDB BTO launches where flats are launched in around up to three or four estates. In addition, HDB provides more information about these HDB SBF flats, including the block number and unit number, allowing you to know the exact location of a unit.
By buying an HDB SBF flat, you also get to enjoy a shorter waiting time. These flats are mostly already under construction, so you can expect to move in less than three years. There might also be flats that are ready for you to move into.
HDB SBF sale launches are usually offered twice a year. However, do take note that you can only apply for either an HDB BTO or an SBF unit, and not both.
Related article: HDB SBF (Sale of Balance Flats) 2022 in Singapore: Everything You Need to Know
In the past, all unsold flats were pooled together in another exercise known as Re-Offer of Balance Flats (ROF). If these flats remain unselected, they will be made available for open booking.
However, in March 2020, the government announced the Re-Offer of Balance Flats (ROF) scheme would be removed to allow home buyers to obtain their flats more quickly.
Now, all unselected flats from SBF exercises will be open for direct offers.
With the removal of ROF exercises, all unsold HDB BTO balance flats will first be offered through the HDB Sale of Balance Flat scheme. If they remain unselected, these HDB SBFs will be then be offered for open booking, instead of going through another round of HDB ROF exercise like in the past.
Executive Condominiums (EC)
The DBSS scheme was suspended indefinitely in 2012 (Source: JGP Architecture)
Executive condominiums (ECs) are also part of HDB sales launches. A hybrid of private and public housing, ECs were first built in 1999. Note that the launch frequency for ECs every year isn’t fixed and may vary every year.
Related article: Executive Condo Singapore (2022): 4 Upcoming ECs We Can Expect
Enclosed in a gated compound with security, ECs typically feature amenities like swimming pools, clubhouses, gyms, and playgrounds – facilities you would also find in a private condo.
ECs are targeted at the “sandwich class” – families whose household incomes exceed the income ceiling for an HDB flat, but are not high enough to comfortably afford private housing.
Although ECs are built by private developers, they are much lower in price than private condos. This is because the land they are built on is subsidised by the government. If you’re eligible, you can even use CPF housing grants when buying an EC.
As ECs are first sold by the HDB, they are subject to specific regulations that mirror those of HDB flats, including a lease of 99 years.
Related article: Buying Resale Condos in Singapore (2022): Are Fully-Privatised ECs Cheaper?
If you’re thinking of applying for an EC, take note that your monthly household income cannot exceed $16,000. And like buyers of new HDB flats, you’ll need to fulfil the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) of five years. During this time, you cannot sell or rent out your EC entirely.
Similar to HDB flats, ECs can be sold in the resale market to Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents after five years.
Another thing that sets ECs apart from HDB flats is that ECs are considered private property from the 11th year onwards. This means that selling an EC will be easier, since you can sell it to foreigners and companies, on top of Singaporeans and Permanent Residents.
Related article: HDB Resale Eligibility: Can a Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) Buy an HDB Flat in Singapore?
Design, Build, and Sell Scheme (DBSS): Discontinued in 2012, But Available on the Resale Market
Design, Build, and Sell Scheme (DBSS) units were first introduced by HDB in 2005.
In many ways, these are similar to ECs – public housing built by private developers aimed at the “sandwich class”. The private developer is in charge of the project, including the purchase of the land, design, and actual construction.
But what makes DBSS flats different from ECs is that DBSS flats are essentially public housing, while ECs become private condos from the 11th year onwards.
In general, DBSS flats appeal to a group of buyers who want something more upscale than the usual BTO flat, but would not be able to comfortably afford private housing or an EC.
In 2012, the DBSS scheme was suspended indefinitely with a total of 8,649 units built in 13 projects. Reasons included complaints about extremely high prices, poorly designed buildings, and defective workmanship in the flats.
Perhaps due to the suspension of the scheme, DBSS flats are experiencing high demand. In fact, DBSS flats have been making headlines for fetching what some would say are exorbitant prices on the resale market: Earlier this year, 5-room DBSS units from Natura Loft @ Bishan, SkyTerrace @ Dawson, The Peak @ Toa Payoh and City View @ Boon Keng changed hands for over $1 million!
Related article: Million-Dollar HDB Resale Flats in 2021: What’s So Special About Them?.
Summary of the Types of HDB Sales Launches
Here’s a table to summarise the key difference between the different HDB sales launch property types that we’ve looked at:
|
Sales launch |
Built by |
Key features |
|
BTO flats |
Government |
Launched four times a year, 2.5 to 4 years waiting time |
|
SBF |
Government |
Launched twice a year, shorter waiting time than BTO flats |
|
Open booking of flats |
Government |
Flats are available for application throughout the year, shorter waiting time than BTO flats |
|
Executive Condos |
Private developer |
Launch frequency is variable, built like a condo but first sold by HDB |
|
DBSS |
Private developer |
Scheme suspended indefinitely as of 2012, still available on resale market for a premium |
More FAQs about the Sale of Balance Flats
What Is a Sale of Balance Flat (SBF)?
An SBF applies to unsold HDB flats from past BTO launches, remaining flats from SERS projects, and any flats repurchased by HDB that are up for sale.
Is A Balance Flat More Expansive Than A BTO?
While balance flats are subsidised by the government, they are still more expensive than BTO flats. However, they cost lower than HDB resale flats.
How Long Do I Have To Wait For An SBF?
The waiting time for an SBF is shorter than a BTO as the flats are already under construction or have been completed.
Are There Balance Flats In Mature Estates?
Yes, balance flats are located in both mature and non-mature estates across Singapore, so you have more locations to choose from.
How Do I Apply For An SBF?
You can submit an online application on HDB’s website. If your application is successful, you will be notified via an e-ballot in about three weeks.
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