7 HDB BTO Application Tips for Beginners

HDB used to announce its BTO launches every February, May, August and November, which are publicised in the local media and on the HDB’s website. In 2025, there will be three BTO launches in February, June (pushed back to July), and October.

1. Be open to more locations

While you should not rush into booking a unit if the locations are not ideal for you, do explore options with an open mind.

Take for example, in 2017 singleton Charlene Sim did not even consider Bukit Batok initially, as she preferred a home in central or eastern Singapore. After several rounds of BTO launches, she decided to visit the Bukit Batok site to get a better feel. Pleasantly surprised by the neighbourhood’s proximity to malls in Bukit Batok and Jurong East, she booked a 2-room BTO unit at Bukit Batok’s West Edge during the February 2015 BTO launch. Another plus: Its affordability. Her unit is below her budget and only costs $115,000, which she can pay off fully with the funds in her CPF Ordinary Account.

2. Use first-timer benefits, priority schemes and HDB grants

Being a first-timer (or a couple comprising a first-time and second-time applicant) allows you to enjoy a larger proportion of BTO flat supply depending on the flat type and its location, and three ballot chances compared to second-timers. If two or more of your applications are unsuccessful for BTO launches in non-mature estates, you’ll get an extra chance per subsequent application.

Cancelled BTO application: 1 year wait out

However, if you have previously cancelled a BTO flat application or declined to book a flat twice, you have to wait out a one-year period before applying again.

Apply for priority schemes if everyone listed in your flat application is eligible; you can get priority for up to two schemes. These include the Parenthood Priority Scheme, Multi-Generation Priority Scheme, Married Child Priority Scheme, Third Child Priority Scheme, Tenants’ Priority Scheme and Senior Priority Scheme, which boost your chances in the computer ballot.

Most importantly, grab the grants! There are currently 4 types of HDB housing grants you can apply for - the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant, CPF Housing Grants for Resale Flats, Step Up CPF Housing Grant, and the Proximity Housing Grant.

3. Prepare for the flat selection day

Once you’ve decided on a suitable BTO launch, submit your application within the one-week application period, with a fee of $10 via HDB’s website.

It takes about 3 to 6 weeks after the closing date to notify you if you’ve been successful. Depending on your queue number, you will be invited to select and book your BTO flat.

What to bring to BTO booking of flat?

On the day of BTO booking of flat day, bring your identity cards (or birth certificates, for children, and passports for non-citizens) of everyone listed in the application. If you are buying a flat under the Multi Generation Priority Scheme or Married Child Priority Scheme, you need your birth certificate and your parents’ marriage certificate, too.

For the Parenthood Priority Scheme, a doctor’s certification of pregnancy or your child’s birth certificate is required.

Pay option fee

Prepare to pay an option fee of $500 for a 2-room flexi flat, $1,000 for a 3-room flat, or $2,000 for a 4-room, 5-room and Executive flat. This sum goes towards your down payment, which will be paid during the Signing of Agreement for Lease held within six to nine months from your BTO booking day.

HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter

If you’re taking a HDB concessionary loan (with a 2.6% interest rate), apply for a HDB Flat Eligibility letter (previously known as the HDB Loan Eligibility) online at HDB’s website. Your down payment will be 25% of the purchase price, which can be fully paid using your CPF funds and/or cash.

Bank’s Letter of Offer

For bank loans, you need a valid Letter of Offer from the bank. Your down payment is at least 20 per cent of the purchase price (depending on the loan ceiling), of which 5 per cent must be in cash and the rest using CPF funds.

Other fees to pay

In addition, buyers must pay stamp duty, the conveyancing fee and caveat registration fee, which depends on the price of your flat. Take along your identity cards, the receipt of your booking fee, your bank passbook and a photocopy of the page stating your name and bank account number (so that it’s easier for HDB to reimburse your booking fee directly to your account, if necessary) and latest CPF statements.

Now, all you have to do is wait – usually about three years for a BTO flat. If you’d purchased an SBF flat, this can be as short as three months as you may sign the Agreement for Lease and collect the keys at the same time.

4. Key collection day

During your key collection, you need to pay a survey fee, registration fee and stamp duty on the Deed of Assignment; costs vary depending on your flat type and loan amount. Take along your identity cards, marriage certificate (or your ROM appointment confirmation) for those buying a flat under the Fiance/ Fiancee Scheme.

5. HDB Fire Insurance

Those taking a HDB loan must buy fire insurance from HDB’s appointed insurer, ETIQA, located at HDB Hub’s Atrium. HDB fire insurance’s yearly premiums are:

• 1-Room or Community Care: $1.11
• 2-Room, 2-Room Flexi, or Studio: $1.99
• 3-Room: $3.27
• 4-Room: $4.59
• 5-Room or 3-Generation: $5.43
• Executive or Multi-Generation: $6.68

6. HDB Home Protection Scheme

If you are using your CPF funds to pay your monthly HDB loan mortgage instalments, you need to apply and pay for the Home Protection Scheme. You can pay the Home Protection Scheme’s premiums by your monies in the CPF Ordinary Account. If you plan to pay your monthly loan instalments partially or fully by cash, you need a completed GIRO form.

Sounds like a lot to pay? The CPF Home Protection Scheme is actually a good insurance plan - especially if you have dependents like elder parents or children. The Home Protection Scheme basically insures your monthly HDB loan CPF payments until you turn 65 years old. In the event that death, terminal illness, or total permanent disability happens to you, the Scheme will pay your outstanding HDB loan up front (to your Scheme’s insured amount). Afterwards, your family and dependents can continue living in the HDB flat without worrying about mortgage payments.

7. HDB Defects Liability Period

Your new HDB flat is covered by a warranty within the one-year Defects Liability Period, from the date you collect your keys. Make sure you report all defects to the Building Service Centre within seven days of receiving your keys, and before you start your own renovation. The warranty will not cover rectification items that surface during or after that.

Give yourself ample time to sort out everything. Tan Yi Leng, who collected the keys to her new 3-room BTO flat, shared that she found over 20 defects, from severe scratches on her doors to a crooked clothes rack and chips on her walls. It took three rounds of rectification before most were done satisfactorily.

In contrast, a neighbour, who was in a hurry to get his renovation started, decided to make do with minor rectifications and paid his contractor to do the rest.