The Singapore government has officially removed the 15-month wait-out period for private residential property owners looking to purchase non-subsidised HDB resale flats. Announced by National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat on July 28, 2026, the change takes effect immediately. This policy shift allows private homeowners and former owners to transition into the public housing resale market without the previous mandatory waiting period, provided they do not take an HDB housing loan for the purchase.
Introduced in September 2022 as a temporary cooling measure, the 15-month rule was designed to dampen demand in a rapidly heating resale market and prioritize first-time buyers. At the time, HDB resale prices were climbing sharply due to pandemic-related construction delays and high demand. However, the government has observed a stabilization in the market over recent quarters, with resale price growth slowing significantly and even seeing minor declines in the first half of 2026.
Under the new rules, private property owners must still dispose of their existing properties—whether located in Singapore or overseas—within six months of completing their HDB resale flat purchase. The government emphasized that the move is intended to provide relief to households with genuine housing needs, such as those looking to right-size their living arrangements.
It is important to note that the removal of the wait-out period is specific to non-subsidised resale flats. For those intending to purchase a subsidised HDB flat or an executive condominium from a developer, or for those who require an HDB housing loan, the existing 30-month wait-out requirement remains in place. Authorities will continue to monitor market conditions to ensure that public housing remains affordable and accessible for all Singaporeans.