HDB Flat Applications under the Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme

Mr David Ong asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether HDB will review the penalty imposed on applicants who had booked a HDB flat under the Fiancé/Fiancée scheme but had to cancel their bookings; and (b) whether HDB can look at further assisting young couples who can be straddled with a huge financial burden when they have no choice but to cancel their bookings due to a failed relationship.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan: HDB imposes a forfeiture fee of 5% of the flat price for cancellation of flat booking to ensure that buyers are serious when they book their flats. We have no plans to review this fee as it is already substantially lower than the 20% forfeiture fee imposed by private developers. Nevertheless, HDB is prepared to consider appeals for waiver of the forfeiture fee on a case-by-case basis, and exercise flexibility where there are extenuating circumstances such as financial hardship.