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15‑month wait‑out for private owners buying non‑subsidised HDB resale flats removed
The Ministry of National Development announced on 28 July 2026 the immediate removal of the 15‑month wait‑out period previously required of private property owners seeking to purchase HDB resale flats.

This change applies to private homeowners of all ages buying non‑subsidised resale flats of any size, provided no HDB housing loan is taken.

Key Highlights

• Immediate Effect: National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat confirmed the removal of the wait‑out period, allowing private property downgraders to purchase resale flats without delay.
• Private Property Disposal: Buyers must still dispose of their private residential property (local or overseas) within six months of completing the HDB resale flat purchase.
• Loan and Subsidy Rules: The separate 30‑month wait‑out period remains unchanged for those applying for subsidised flats, housing grants, Executive Condominiums from developers, or HDB housing loans.
• Application Updates: HDB is automatically revising pending HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letters, so applicants need not take further action.

Rationale for the Change

• Market Stabilization: HDB resale price growth slowed from 10.4% in 2022 to 2.9% in 2025, followed by consecutive quarterly declines in 2026.
• Improved Supply: A steady pipeline of new Build‑To‑Order (BTO) flats and units reaching their Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) has contributed to a more balanced market.

Summary

The removal of the 15‑month waiting period signals that the authorities view the market as having cooled sufficiently. Based on HDB and URA housing indices, the government’s measures have achieved their intended effect of stabilising prices. Importantly, the government’s role is not to collapse the real estate market, but to maintain balance. With this policy lifted, many buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines may re‑enter the market, potentially driving HDB prices upward. The next few months of data will reveal whether this renewed demand translates into noticeable price movements