Moratorium on Buying of BTO Flats for Applicants with Previous Cancellations

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development (a) in the past three years, how many applicants have been barred from buying BTO flats for a period of one year, after they cancelled their booking of units with HDB; and (b) whether HDB will consider allowing walk-in application and selection of flats under the Sale of Balance Flats exercise on a monthly basis.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan: The measure to impose a one-year debarment on HDB flat buyers who cancel their bookings is to discourage frivolous booking. Such behaviour is unfair to genuine flat buyers who may otherwise be crowded out.

Since implementation in March 2012, about 3,500 applicants have been barred.

HDB prefers to accumulate its balance flats and sell them under a Sale of Balance Flats exercise when there is a sufficiently large supply. This allows applicants more choices of flat types in various locations.