Can I buy HDB while I am working overseas? Will it affect my MOP (Minimum Occupation Period)?

Reader Nancy Goh, a single senior citizen Singaporean now working in the United States, intends to return home when she retires within the next five years.

She wanted to confirm what flats she is eligible to buy, and whether she can arrange for a Power of Attorney for her sibling to apply for a flat on her behalf.

Can I buy HDB if I am working overseas?

In Singapore, singles aged 35 and older can buy a brand new two-room flexi flat directly from the Housing Board, through HDB BTO (Build-to-Order) or SBF (Sale of Balance Flats) exercises. If they would like to buy a larger flat, they will have to do so on the open resale market.

Yes, you can buy a HDB through a lawyer

Flat buyers may indeed appoint someone to act on their behalf through a Power of Attorney (PoA), said the HDB. They should consult a private solicitor to prepare this legal document.

For applicants who are overseas, the PoA must be prepared by the solicitor and signed by the applicant in the presence of a Notary Public, the Singapore High Commission, or a Singapore Ambassador in the country of their stay. The solicitor has to register the signed PoA with the Singapore High Court Registry.

Submit your HDB application online

Applications to buy a flat directly from the HDB can be submitted online. If the application is successful but the buyer cannot attend the appointment to book their flat personally, they may authorise a representative to do so on their behalf. This is done by completing an authorisation form that can be found on HDB's website.

After booking a HDB flat, they will need to sign the HDB Agreement for Lease and pay the down payment, and when the HDB flat is completed, they will be invited to collect the keys within one month of being notified.

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Power of Attorney can visit HDB Hub on your behalf

Either the HDB flat buyer or their appointed PoA will need to attend these appointments at the HDB Sales Office. Requests to defer key collection will be considered on a case-by-case basis, said HDB.

Power of Attorney can buy HDB Resale flat on your behalf

For HDB resale flats, the buyer or their appointed PoA must attend two appointments at the HDB office together with the flat sellers: first to discuss administrative details, and then to complete the HDB resale transaction.

Even after a PoA has been arranged, there are some documents that must be signed personally by the flat applicant and mailed to the HDB.

These are the application form, the statutory declaration signed in the presence of a Commissioner of Oaths or Notary Public, and letters of undertaking. Buyers of resale flats must also sign and submit the resale checklist for buyers.

Working Overseas HDB MOP (Minimum Occupation Period)

Since you are living overseas, do note that HDB will extend your HDB BTO or Resale flat's Minimum Occupation Period (MOP). The period of time that you are not living in your HDB flat will not be counted into the MOP.

By a general rule of thumb: only when you are living in your HDB, will your 5-year MOP start counting down.

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This article was first published in The Straits Times in 2016