Criteria in Appeals For Waiver of Minimum Occupation Period for HDB Flat Sales

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for National Development (a) what criteria are considered in appeals for waiver of the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) for HDB flat sales; and (b) whether the remaining MOP duration is among them.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats are primarily meant for owner-occupation. Owners are required to physically occupy their flat during the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) before they are allowed to sell their flat on the open market.

HDB assesses all appeals for a waiver of the MOP on a case-by-case basis, considering the specific circumstances of the flat owners and their families. Past reasons for such exceptions include financial hardship or the demise of the flat owner.