In a promising update for private homeowners eyeing an HDB resale flat, National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat hinted that the current 15-month HDB Wait-Out period may be reviewed and possibly relaxed or scrapped sooner than previously anticipated.
What’s the 15-Month HDB Wait-Out?
Introduced in September 2022, the HDB Wait-Out rule requires private property owners to wait 15 months after selling their homes before they can purchase a non-subsidised HDB resale flat. It was designed as a cooling measure to manage demand and prevent excessive price growth in the resale market.
Why Now?
- Improving Resale Market The HDB Resale Price Index rose by only 1.6% in Q1 2025, down from 2.6% in Q4 2024. This was the smallest quarterly increase in over a year. The cooling trend suggests the market may be stabilising, opening the door for a possible policy shift on the HDB Wait-Out.
- Rising Supply
- Build-to-Order (BTO) flats delayed by COVID-19 are completing their 5-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP), leading to more resale supply starting in 2026.
- Over 50,000 new BTO flats are scheduled to launch between 2025 and 2027.
These developments support the idea that housing supply is catching up, which could justify relaxing or removing the HDB Wait-Out rule earlier than expected.
What Chee Hong Tat Said
At a Toa Payoh community event on June 21, 2025, Minister Chee shared that the HDB Wait-Out rule was always intended to be temporary and would be re-evaluated based on market conditions. He expressed confidence that if trends continue, the government could consider lifting the rule well before 2027 or 2028.
Pros & Cons of Scrapping the HDB Wait-Out
| Pros | Cons / Concerns |
|---|---|
| Immediate flexibility for private-homeowners | Potential fresh surge in demand from cash-rich buyers |
| Greater market activity and improved liquidity | Resale flats may become less affordable for first-time buyers |
| A more dynamic and responsive housing market | Possible short-term price fluctuations if demand spikes |
Minister Chee stressed that affordability will continue to be a top priority as the government considers adjusting the HDB Wait-Out rule.
So, What’s Next?
Authorities will keep monitoring resale price trends, supply conditions, and market activity throughout 2025 and beyond. If price increases remain modest and housing supply continues to rise, the HDB Wait-Out period may be shortened or removed as early as 2026.
If you are a private homeowner planning to downsize or move into an HDB resale flat, this could be a pivotal time. With the government reviewing the HDB Wait-Out rule, flexibility may return to the market sooner than many expected. This potential shift could provide more housing options and better alignment with evolving needs in Singapore’s property landscape.
