Whether you can buy an HDB resale flat, and which of the 4 main resale grants you get, depends on your citizenship, household, income and property history.
Reviewed by the Swee Homes data desk on 7 Oct 2026. Sources: HDB, MND and HDB, 23 Aug 2026, HDB, Annex B, 23 Aug 2026. Next check due 5 Jan 2027.
Who can buy a resale flat
For a family buying a resale flat, the main resale grants are the CPF Housing Grant (Family), the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG), the Step-Up CPF Housing Grant and the Proximity Housing Grant. HDB confirms your own position in an HFE letter.
For a resale unclassified or Standard flat: the household must be SC or SPR and include at least 1 occupant who is an SC or SPR. For an SPR household (no SC applicant), all applicants and core occupiers must have had SPR status for at least 3 years. Applicants must be at least 21 years old.
For a resale unclassified or Standard flat, couples and families may buy all flat types, excluding 3Gen flats. For a resale unclassified or Standard flat there is no income ceiling to buy. The income ceiling applies only to qualify for CPF housing grants (excluding the Proximity Housing Grant) and the HDB housing loan.
Resale flats fall into four groups: Standard, Plus, Prime and unclassified. The rules above are for Standard and unclassified flats. Plus and Prime flats follow different rules.
Resale Plus and Prime flats follow the prevailing BTO eligibility criteria: the buyer must be a Singapore Citizen and include at least 1 other SC or SPR, and may buy up to a 5-room flat. Prime flats include Prime Location Public Housing (PLH) flats sold before the October 2024 sales exercise. Unclassified resale flats are flats sold before the October 2024 sales exercise and not classified as Standard, Plus or Prime.
Singles buying a resale flat must be Singapore Citizens, aged at least 35 (unmarried or divorced) or at least 21 (widowed or an orphan whose deceased parent was an SC or SPR).
Eligibility for housing subsidies is assessed on the core family nucleus. A household must be one of: you, your spouse and child(ren); you, your parents and siblings; or you and your child(ren) under your legal custody, care and control (for widowed or divorced persons).
Income ceilings
The monthly household income ceiling applies to qualify for CPF housing grants (excluding the Proximity Housing Grant) and the HDB housing loan. Each grant has its own ceiling, set out in the grant sections below.
For singles buying a resale flat, the monthly household income ceiling is $16,000 for a Plus flat and there is no income ceiling for an unclassified or Standard flat. The ceiling applies to qualify for CPF housing grants (excluding the Proximity Housing Grant) and the HDB housing loan.
These ceilings are recent, and the date you applied for your HFE letter matters.
The monthly household income ceiling was raised from $14,000 to $16,000 for eligible families who apply for an HFE letter from 24 August 2026, to buy a new subsidised flat from HDB, buy a resale flat with the CPF Housing Grant, or take an HDB housing loan. For eligible singles aged 35 and above buying a subsidised flat or taking an HDB housing loan, it rose from $7,000 to $8,000. The ceilings had last been adjusted in 2019.
If you already hold an HFE letter, or applied for one before that date, HDB sets out what happens to it.
HDB's Annex B to the 23 August 2026 release: households who apply for an HFE letter on or after 24 August 2026 are assessed under the revised income ceiling. Households with a valid HFE letter who are already eligible for a subsidised flat or HDB housing loan need take no further action. Households with a valid HFE letter who are not eligible due to the previous income ceiling may, if they have not submitted a flat application, cancel the letter and apply for a new one, with the income assessment period based on the date of the new application. Households whose HFE letter applications were submitted before 24 August 2026 and are still being processed are assessed under the previous ceiling, and may cancel and submit a new application to be assessed under the revised one.
Property ownership and the 30-month wait
All applicants and occupiers listed in the HFE letter application must not own or have an interest in any local or overseas private residential property, and must not have disposed of any private residential property within 30 months before the HFE letter application, counted from the legal completion date. This applies to buying a resale Plus or Prime flat, or a resale unclassified or Standard flat with CPF housing grant(s).
The rule is different if you buy a resale flat without a subsidy.
For a non-subsidised resale unclassified or Standard flat, with or without the Proximity Housing Grant, a buyer who owns private residential property at the HFE letter application must dispose of it, by legal completion of the disposal, within 6 months of completing the flat purchase.
A rule change in July 2026 affects the older 15-month wait-out.
Since 28 July 2026, private residential property owners and former owners buying a non-subsidised HDB resale flat without an HDB housing loan no longer serve the 15-month wait-out. The 30-month wait-out after disposing of private residential property still applies to those buying a subsidised flat or taking an HDB housing loan.
Applicants and occupiers may own up to 1 non-residential property at the HFE letter application. If they own more than 1, they must have disposed of the others at least 30 months before the HFE letter application, counted from the legal completion date. This applies to buying a resale Plus or Prime flat, or a resale unclassified or Standard flat with CPF housing grant(s). For a non-subsidised resale unclassified or Standard flat, there is no restriction on the number of non-residential properties.
If you or any person listed in the application owns or has an interest in any HDB flat, you must dispose of the interest in the flat within 6 months of completing your flat purchase, based on the legal completion date of the disposal.
Previous housing subsidies and resale levy
Any previous housing subsidy taken does not affect eligibility to buy a resale flat. The number of housing subsidies taken does affect eligibility for CPF housing grants. A buyer may still apply for the Proximity Housing Grant if eligible. Resale levy is not applicable to buyers of resale flats.
Only a first-timer core member may qualify for CPF housing grants. A single who has taken a housing subsidy is a second-timer and is not eligible for another housing subsidy, but may apply for the Proximity Housing Grant if eligible.
CPF Housing Grant (Family) and Top-Up Grant
Under the CPF Housing Grant scheme, families may qualify for a housing subsidy of up to $80,000 to help with the purchase of a resale flat.
Family Grant for first-timer households buying a 2- to 4-room resale flat: SC/SC $80,000, SC/SPR $70,000. Buying a 5-room or bigger resale flat: SC/SC $50,000, SC/SPR $40,000. Family Grant for first-timer and second-timer couples buying a 2- to 4-room resale flat: $40,000. Buying a 5-room or bigger resale flat: $25,000.
Family Grant conditions: the buyer must be an SC and include at least 1 other SC or SPR, be at least 21 years old, and have at least 1 core member who is a first-timer who has not taken any housing subsidy. The average gross monthly household income must not exceed $16,000, or $24,000 if purchasing with an extended or multi-generation family. The flat must be 2-room or bigger with more than 20 years of remaining lease.
Singles who took a Singles Grant and later start a family can claim a top-up.
Top-Up Grant: for recipients of a Singles Grant who bought an HDB resale flat, or bought a 2-room Flexi flat from HDB as a single, with other single citizens or with a non-resident spouse, and who then marry an SC or SPR who is a first-timer or another Singles Grant recipient, or whose spouse or child obtains SC or SPR status. The amount is up to the difference between the prevailing Family Grant and the Singles Grant previously received, or $15,000 if they bought a 2-room Flexi flat from HDB. The application must be submitted within 6 months of the marriage registration or of the spouse or child becoming an SC or SPR.
Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG)
From 20 August 2024, first-timer families may qualify for an Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) of up to $120,000. A couple comprising a first-timer and a second-timer may qualify for an EHG (Singles) of up to $60,000. If you are buying a resale flat, you must first qualify for the CPF Housing Grants for resale flats (Families) before you may be eligible for the EHG.
EHG conditions: you and/or your core members must have worked continuously for at least 12 months, ending 2 months before the HFE letter application, and be working at the time of the HFE letter application. For first-timer households, the average gross monthly household income for the months worked in the 12-month period must not exceed $9,000. For first-timer and second-timer applicants, half of the average gross monthly household income must not exceed $4,500. The flat must have more than 20 years of remaining lease. It must cover the youngest core member to the age of 95 to qualify for the full EHG amount. Otherwise the EHG amount is pro-rated.
The EHG amount is based on the average gross monthly household income over the months worked in the 12-month period that ends 2 months before the month of the HFE letter application. Households with lower household incomes receive a bigger grant.
EHG amount for first-timer households, by average monthly household income: not more than $1,500: $120,000; $1,501 to $2,000: $110,000; $2,001 to $2,500: $105,000; $2,501 to $3,000: $95,000; $3,001 to $3,500: $90,000; $3,501 to $4,000: $80,000; $4,001 to $4,500: $70,000; $4,501 to $5,000: $65,000; $5,001 to $5,500: $55,000; $5,501 to $6,000: $50,000; $6,001 to $6,500: $40,000; $6,501 to $7,000: $30,000; $7,001 to $7,500: $25,000; $7,501 to $8,000: $20,000; $8,001 to $8,500: $10,000; $8,501 to $9,000: $5,000.
EHG (Singles) amount for couples comprising a first-timer and second-timer, by half of the average monthly household income: not more than $750: $60,000; $751 to $1,000: $55,000; $1,001 to $1,250: $52,500; $1,251 to $1,500: $47,500; $1,501 to $1,750: $45,000; $1,751 to $2,000: $40,000; $2,001 to $2,250: $35,000; $2,251 to $2,500: $32,500; $2,501 to $2,750: $27,500; $2,751 to $3,000: $25,000; $3,001 to $3,250: $20,000; $3,251 to $3,500: $15,000; $3,501 to $3,750: $12,500; $3,751 to $4,000: $10,000; $4,001 to $4,250: $5,000; $4,251 to $4,500: $2,500.
Step-Up CPF Housing Grant
Second-timer families may apply for the Step-Up CPF Housing Grant of $15,000 for a new or resale flat purchase.
The flat you may buy next depends on where you live now.
Step-Up CPF Housing Grant: for married couples or families who have taken 1 housing subsidy. Applicants must be working continuously for at least 12 months ending 2 months before the HFE letter application and working at the time of application. The average gross monthly household income must not exceed $8,000. The next flat must have more than 20 years of remaining lease. If your current flat is a 2-room Standard flat bought from HDB after October 2024 or on the open market with CPF housing grant(s), or a 2-room unclassified flat in a non-mature estate bought from HDB after October 1995 or on the open market with CPF housing grant(s), the next flat must be a 3-room Standard flat or a 3-room unclassified flat in a non-mature estate, from HDB or on the open market. If you live in a flat under the Public Rental Scheme, the next flat can be a 2-room Flexi or 3-room Standard flat, or a 2-room Flexi or 3-room unclassified flat in a non-mature estate, from HDB; or a 2-room or 3-room Standard flat, or a 2-room or 3-room unclassified flat in a non-mature estate, on the open market. HDB assesses these applicants on the stability of their family, employment and finances.
Proximity Housing Grant (PHG)
Proximity Housing Grant (Families) for a resale flat: $30,000 to live with your parents or child, or $20,000 to live near your parents or child (within 4 km).
Proximity Housing Grant (Families) conditions: for couples or families who have not taken the PHG before. The buyer must be an SC and include at least 1 other SC or SPR, and be at least 21 years old. The parents or married child must be at least an SPR. For a single child helping to qualify, the child must be aged 35 or above and unmarried, widowed or divorced. The parents or child must live in the resale flat, or live in an HDB flat or private residential property within 4 km of it, and observe the proximity rule during the minimum occupation period. The flat must have more than 20 years of remaining lease. Parents buying over their child's flat are not eligible.
Grants for singles
CPF Housing Grant (Singles) for a first-timer SC buying a resale flat on their own: $40,000 for a 2- to 4-room flat, or $25,000 for a 5-room flat. Buying with parents, a non-resident spouse or other first-timer singles (up to 2 Singles Grant applicants): $40,000 each for a 2- to 4-room flat, or $25,000 each for a 5-room or bigger flat.
Singles Grant conditions: the buyer must be an SC and a first-timer who has not taken a housing subsidy. The average gross monthly household income must not exceed $8,000 if buying on your own, or $16,000 if buying with family or other singles. The flat must have more than 20 years of remaining lease. For the CPF Housing Grant (Singles), singles buying on their own may buy 2-room Prime flats or 2- to 5-room unclassified, Standard or Plus flats (excluding 3Gen flats). Singles buying with other single citizens or with a non-resident spouse may buy 2-room Prime flats or 2-room or bigger unclassified, Standard or Plus flats. Singles buying with parents may buy 2-room or bigger flats (excluding 3Gen flats).
Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (Singles): first-timer singles may qualify for up to $60,000. If buying with other first-timer singles, up to 2 singles may each qualify, a total of up to $120,000. For a resale flat, you must first qualify for the CPF Housing Grant for Resale Flats (Singles). The average gross monthly household income must not exceed $4,500 if buying on your own, or $9,000 if buying with other singles or a resale flat with your parents.
The EHG (Singles) bands for a single applicant are the same as the couple bands in the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) section above. See "How much EHG can a single get?" on this page.
Proximity Housing Grant (Singles) for a resale flat: $15,000 to live with your parents or child, or $10,000 to live near your parents or child (within 4 km). The buyer must be an SC aged 35 or above, or 21 or above if buying with a non-resident spouse, and must not have taken the PHG before.
How grants are paid
Housing grants are credited into the Ordinary Accounts of the eligible SC and SPR members of the core family nucleus. Core applicants can use them to offset the purchase price of the flat or reduce the housing loan required. Occupiers cannot use their CPF savings, including housing grants, for the flat purchase or loan servicing.
The HFE letter: how HDB confirms your eligibility
The HFE letter is HDB's own eligibility check. It states whether you can buy a flat and the amount of CPF housing grants and HDB housing loan you are eligible for. For a resale flat, you must have a valid HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter before you obtain an Option to Purchase (OTP) from the seller, and when you submit your resale application to HDB. You may only apply for an HFE letter online, through the HDB Flat Portal with Singpass, and the application is free of charge. Processing of an HFE letter takes up to a month after HDB receives the full set of required documents.
Common questions
Can a Singapore Permanent Resident buy an HDB resale flat?
Yes, as part of a household with at least 1 SC or SPR occupant. The CPF Housing Grant (Family) and the Proximity Housing Grant need the buyer to be an SC, so see "Who can buy a resale flat" on this page for the household rules.
Is there an income ceiling for buying a resale flat?
Not to buy an unclassified or Standard flat. The ceilings sit on the CPF housing grants and the HDB housing loan, and each grant has its own. See "Income ceilings" on this page.
I sold my private property. How long must I wait before I can buy with CPF housing grants?
It is 30 months, counted from the legal completion date of the disposal, for a Plus or Prime flat or when you use CPF housing grants. See "Property ownership and the 30-month wait" on this page.
Can I get the EHG and the Proximity Housing Grant together?
Yes, HDB lists them as separate grants that may be received together if you meet each one's conditions. See "Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG)" and "Proximity Housing Grant (PHG)" on this page.
Can a single person get a housing grant for a resale flat?
Yes, a first-timer single SC may. The amount depends on the flat size and on whether you buy alone. See "Grants for singles" on this page.
How much EHG can a single get?
It depends on your average monthly income, and a lower income gets a bigger grant. EHG (Singles) amount for a single applicant, or single child aged 35 or above buying with parents, by average monthly income: not more than $750: $60,000; $751 to $1,000: $55,000; $1,001 to $1,250: $52,500; $1,251 to $1,500: $47,500; $1,501 to $1,750: $45,000; $1,751 to $2,000: $40,000; $2,001 to $2,250: $35,000; $2,251 to $2,500: $32,500; $2,501 to $2,750: $27,500; $2,751 to $3,000: $25,000; $3,001 to $3,250: $20,000; $3,251 to $3,500: $15,000; $3,501 to $3,750: $12,500; $3,751 to $4,000: $10,000; $4,001 to $4,250: $5,000; $4,251 to $4,500: $2,500.
How do I find out exactly what I am eligible for?
Apply for an HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter on the HDB Flat Portal. It sets out your eligibility to buy, your CPF housing grants and your HDB housing loan in one letter.
Where to go next
Related guides
- How does an HDB resale flat purchase run, step by step?
- How does an HDB BTO exercise work, and what is in the November 2026 exercise?
- How does the BTO ballot treat first-timers and second-timers?
About the data
Every figure on this page has its source and the date we checked it. We are not affiliated with any government body. General information, not financial advice.