NEW HDB RULES

NEW HDB RULES

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(Public education): **

1.

Mdm Ho Geok Choo asked the Minister for National Development in view that the new HDB rules requiring private property owners to sell their homes within six months of buying a HDB flat may be confusing to the laymen (a) what more can be done to bridge the gap between the laymen and the new HDB rules; and (b) how can the Government help those affected to understand and cope with the new rules.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: The policy disallowing concurrent ownership of an HDB flat and private residential property during the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) of the flat is not new. In fact, buyers of subsidised flats have always been subject to this rule.

When HDB extended this rule to non-subsidised flats on 30th August 2010 alongside other policy measures, it put in place comprehensive public communication plans to explain this policy to the media and the public. On the day of the announcement, MND held a press conference and issued a press release to facilitate media coverage. HDB also updated its InfoWEB to help the public understand the changes. In addition, HDB briefed Advisors, grassroots leaders and housing agents so that they can explain these policies to their constituents and clients respectively. HDB also conducted Resale Seminars and public talks to reach out to interested HDB flat owners and flat buyers.

To ensure that resale flat buyers with private residential property are aware of the requirement to dispose of their private property, they are required to sign an undertaking to do so within six months from the purchase of the resale flat at the first resale appointment. Upon completion of the purchase of their flats, HDB also reminds the lessees to comply with the timeframe to dispose of their private property in writing.

Members of the public can contact HDB's Sales and Resale Customer Service Line at 1800 866 3066 or HDB's Branch Office Service Line at 1800 225 5432 for further clarifications.

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