Singapore has removed the 15-month wait-out period for private residential property owners seeking to purchase non-subsidised Housing and Development Board (HDB) resale flats. This change, announced by National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat on July 28, 2026, takes effect immediately. The wait-out period, introduced in September 2022, was initially implemented to moderate demand and stabilize the HDB resale market.
The decision to lift the restriction comes after consecutive quarters of declining resale prices. In the first quarter of 2026, the HDB Resale Price Index fell by 0.1%, followed by a 0.3% decline in the second quarter. This trend indicates a cooling in the market, suggesting that the previous measures have achieved their intended purpose.
Under the new policy, private property owners and former owners can now purchase non-subsidised HDB resale flats without the 15-month wait-out period, provided they do not take an HDB housing loan. However, they are still required to sell their private property within six months of completing the resale flat purchase.
This policy adjustment is expected to increase mobility among private property owners, potentially leading to a more dynamic HDB resale market. Analysts anticipate that the removal of the wait-out period may stimulate demand, particularly for larger and well-located flats, which could see a rise in transactions, including those exceeding one million dollars.
The government has indicated that the 30-month wait-out period for purchasing subsidised flats or executive condominiums remains unchanged. This distinction ensures that the policy continues to support first-time homebuyers and maintain affordability in the public housing sector.
As the market adjusts to this policy change, stakeholders are advised to monitor the evolving dynamics of the HDB resale market, particularly in terms of pricing trends and transaction volumes. Potential buyers and sellers should stay informed to make well-considered decisions in this shifting landscape.