Yahoo Finance 4 ways an essential occupier can help with your HDB BTO or resale flat purchase, grants, etc.
Buying an HDB flat, be it BTO or resale, can be challenging, especially given the various criteria to meet. But all hope is not lost — having an essential occupier can help you with your HDB flat purchase.
But first, let us explain more about the essential occupier.
Who can be considered an essential occupier?
According to HDB, an essential occupier (or core occupier) is a family member listed in the Application Form to form a family nucleus, allowing you to qualify for an eligibility scheme to purchase a flat. It can be for a new flat, like a BTO, or a resale flat.
An essential occupier can be:
If you’re married: you, your spouse and children (if any)
If you’re widowed, divorced or separated: you and your children under your custody
You and your fiance/fiancee
You, your parents and siblings
If you’re buying a 3Gen flat: you, your spouse, fiance/fiancee and your parents
Orphaned siblings
Being an essential occupier is different from being an owner as they won’t have any share in the flat. But there are a few ways they can help with your HDB flat purchase. Here’s how.
Qualify an eligibility scheme to buy HDB flat
If you can’t buy an HDB flat on your own (e.g. if you’re below 35), you can add a family member as an essential occupier to qualify for a certain scheme.
Public Scheme
Applicable for: New flats from HDB (i.e. BTO, SBF or open booking) and resale flats
If you’re widowed or divorced and have children under your custody, you won’t be able to buy a flat on your own under the Single Singapore Citizen Scheme until you turn 35.
The good news is that with the Public Scheme, you can buy a flat by listing your children as essential occupiers. As they’re underage, you won’t be able to list them as co-owners.
Learn more about the eligibility criteria for buying HDB flats here.
Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme
Applicable for: New flats from HDB and resale flats
Getting married to a foreigner? Private properties aren’t your only option! As long as you’re a Singaporean, you can list your foreign spouse as an essential occupier to qualify for this scheme (since foreigners can’t own an HDB flat).
Do note, though, that if you plan to buy from HDB (i.e. apply for BTO, SBF or open booking), you can only apply for a 2-room Flexi flat in a non-mature estate when you’re at least 35 years old.
So a better option would be to buy from the resale market, since you can buy any flat type (except 3Gen flat or PLH flat) as long as you’re at least 21 years old.
Here are the main differences between buying from HDB and the resale market.
Buying from HDB (BTO, SBF or open booking) | Buying from the resale market | |
Age of SC | At least 35 years old | At least 21 years old |
Flat type | 2-room Flexi flat in a non-mature estate | All flat types (except 3Gen flats and PLH flats) |
Resident status of foreign spouse | A valid Visit Pass or Work Pass (of any validity period) at the time of flat application | If you’re at least 21 years old: Your spouse must have a valid Long Term Visit Pass or Work Pass of at least 6 months from the date of issue at the time of resale application If you’re at least 35 years old: Your spouse must have a valid Visit Pass or Work Pass (of any validity period) at the time of resale application |
An additional perk is that if your child is a Singaporean or PR, you can apply under the Public Scheme instead. Through this scheme, you’ll be able to qualify for more grants such as the Family Grant and Enhanced CPF Housing Grant. This helps you to reduce the amount to be paid upfront too.
On top of that, there’s a wider range of flat types that you’re eligible for.
Buying from HDB (BTO, SBF or open booking) | Buying from the resale market | |
Age | At least 21 years old | At least 21 years old |
Flat type | Up to a 5-room flat | All flat types (except 3Gen flats) |
HDB flats for sale
12 Marsiling Lane
Singapore 730012 · D25
2
1
700 sqft
$348,000
476A Upper Serangoon View
Singapore 531476 · D19
2
2
721 sqft
$520,000
10 Jalan Kukoh
Singapore 162010 · D3
1
2
516 sqft
$338,000
19 Balam Road
Singapore 370019 · D13
2
1
649 sqft
$320,000
445B Bukit Batok West Avenue 8
Singapore 652445 · D23
1
1
408 sqft
$320,000
292A Bukit Batok East Avenue 6
Singapore 651292 · D23
1
1
505 sqft
$395,000
463A Sembawang Drive
Singapore 751463 · D27
1
1
495 sqft
$350,000
3 Saint George's Road
Singapore 320003 · D12
2
2
635 sqft
$358,000
4 Jalan Batu
Singapore 431004 · D15
2
1
646 sqft
$320,000
450D Bukit Batok West Avenue 6
Singapore 654450 · D23
1
1
506 sqft
$350,000
344 Clementi Avenue 5
Singapore 120344 · D5
2
1
474 sqft
$318,000
160 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh
Singapore 310160 · D12
1
1
650 sqft
$300,000
195 Kim Keat Avenue
Singapore 310195 · D12
2
1
710 sqft
$310,000
366A Sembawang Crescent
Singapore 751366 · D27
1
1
516 sqft
$400,000
365 Clementi Avenue 2
Singapore 120365 · D5
2
2
721 sqft
$398,000
366A Sembawang Crescent
Singapore 751366 · D27
1
1
516 sqft
$338,000
127A Kim Tian Road
Singapore 161127 · D3
1
1
505 sqft
$448,000
440A Bukit Batok West Avenue 8
Singapore 651440 · D23
1
1
506 sqft
$369,000
76 Telok Blangah Drive
Singapore 100076 · D4
1
1
474 sqft
$300,000
110 Commonwealth Crescent
Singapore 140110 · D3
1
1
484 sqft
$295,000
450D Bukit Batok West Avenue 6
Singapore 654450 · D23
1
1
409 sqft
$350,000
140B Corporation Drive
Singapore 612140 · D22
1
1
506 sqft
$359,888
313 Jurong East Street 32
Singapore 600313 · D22
2
2
796 sqft
$400,000
377 Bukit Batok Street 31
Singapore 650377 · D23
2
2
721 sqft
$550,000
363 Clementi Avenue 2
Singapore 120363 · D5
2
2
721 sqft
$440,000
573A Woodlands Drive 16
Singapore 731573 · D25
1
1
506 sqft
$338,000
62 Circuit Road
Singapore 370062 · D13
1
2
484 sqft
$278,000
450D Bukit Batok West Avenue 6
Singapore 654450 · D23
1
1
505 sqft
$363,000
9 Jalan Kukoh
Singapore 160009 · D3
1
1
581 sqft
$290,000
527C Pasir Ris Street 51
Singapore 513527 · D18
1
1
506 sqft
$360,000
986B Buangkok Crescent
Singapore 532986 · D19
1
1
505 sqft
$350,000
448B Bukit Batok West Avenue 9
Singapore 652448 · D23
1
1
506 sqft
$328,000
45 Telok Blangah Drive
Singapore 100045 · D4
2
1
484 sqft
$310,000
992A Buangkok Link
Singapore 531992 · D19
1
1
506 sqft
$415,000
363B Sembawang Crescent
Singapore 752363 · D27
1
1
650 sqft
$349,000
119 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3
Singapore 560119 · D20
2
2
721 sqft
$389,000
333 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1
Singapore 560333 · D20
2
2
731 sqft
$409,000
134 Potong Pasir Avenue 3
Singapore 350134 · D13
2
2
796 sqft
$499,000
470 Pasir Ris Drive 6
Singapore 510470 · D18
3
2
1,248 sqft
$565,000
426 Bedok North Road
Singapore 460426 · D16
2
2
721 sqft
$399,000
8 Telok Blangah Crescent
Singapore 090008 · D4
2
1
775 sqft
$388,000
4 Marine Terrace
Singapore 440004 · D15
2
1
699 sqft
$399,000
95B Henderson Road
Singapore 152095 · D3
2
2
732 sqft
$768,000
520B Tampines Central 8
Singapore 522520 · D18
3
2
1,163 sqft
$899,888
808 Woodlands Street 81
Singapore 730808 · D25
2
2
786 sqft
$450,000
537 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5
Singapore 560537 · D20
3
2
990 sqft
$518,000
504 Bukit Batok Street 52
Singapore 650504 · D23
2
1
679 sqft
$370,000
163 Stirling Road
Singapore 140163 · D3
2
2
710 sqft
$388,000
92B Telok Blangah Street 31
Singapore 102092 · D4
3
2
1,001 sqft
$938,000
442C Bukit Batok West Avenue 8
Singapore 653442 · D23
3
2
1,205 sqft
$765,000
232 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3
Singapore 560232 · D20
2
2
731 sqft
$390,000
230 Pending Road
Singapore 670230 · D23
3
2
1,109 sqft
$518,000
288A Bukit Batok Street 25
Singapore 650288 · D23
3
2
1,550 sqft
$958,000
161 Mei Ling Street
Singapore 140161 · D3
2
1
775 sqft
$529,000
642 Hougang Avenue 8
Singapore 530642 · D19
2
1
646 sqft
$388,000
90B Telok Blangah Street 31
Singapore 102090 · D4
3
2
1,001 sqft
$1,030,000
463 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10
Singapore 560463 · D20
2
2
732 sqft
$362,000
292B Bukit Batok East Avenue 6
Singapore 652292 · D23
3
2
1,216 sqft
$848,000
268 Bishan Street 24
Singapore 570268 · D20
3
2
1,119 sqft
$750,000
961 Hougang Avenue 9
Singapore 530961 · D19
3
2
1,474 sqft
$750,000
35 Circuit Road
Singapore 370035 · D13
3
1
894 sqft
$418,000
388 Yishun Ring Road
Singapore 760388 · D27
3
2
1,119 sqft
$550,000
221A Sumang Lane
Singapore 821221 · D19
2
2
731 sqft
$489,000
358 Clementi Avenue 2
Singapore 120358 · D5
3
2
990 sqft
$490,000
710 Bedok Reservoir Road
Singapore 470710 · D16
3
2
1,302 sqft
$630,000
123 Hougang Avenue 1
Singapore 530123 · D19
2
2
721 sqft
$378,000
15 Marsiling Lane
Singapore 730015 · D25
2
1
699 sqft
$345,000
2 Jalan Bukit Merah
Singapore 150002 · D3
2
1
678 sqft
$400,000
319 Woodlands Street 31
Singapore 730319 · D25
2
2
786 sqft
$480,000
152 Bishan Street 11
Singapore 570152 · D20
2
2
689 sqft
$438,000
626 Choa Chu Kang Street 62
Singapore 680626 · D23
3
2
1,076 sqft
$550,000
622A Punggol Central
Singapore 821622 · D19
3
2
1,011 sqft
$680,000
808A Chai Chee Road
Singapore 461808 · D16
3
2
1,001 sqft
$765,000
786B Woodlands Drive 60
Singapore 732786 · D25
3
3
980 sqft
$530,000
32 Eunos Crescent
Singapore 400032 · D14
2
2
968 sqft
$835,000
977 Jurong West Street 93
Singapore 640977 · D22
3
2
1,119 sqft
$499,999
22 Marsiling Drive
Singapore 730022 · D25
3
2
979 sqft
$400,000
153 Simei Street 1
Singapore 520153 · D18
3
2
904 sqft
$510,000
280A Sengkang East Avenue
Singapore 541280 · D19
3
2
990 sqft
$750,000
440B Bukit Batok West Avenue 8
Singapore 652440 · D23
3
2
990 sqft
$650,000
292B Bukit Batok East Avenue 6
Singapore 652292 · D23
3
2
1,001 sqft
$650,000
573 Hougang Street 51
Singapore 530573 · D19
3
2
1,054 sqft
$550,000
450B Bukit Batok West Avenue 6
Singapore 652450 · D23
3
2
1,001 sqft
$699,000
663A Punggol Drive
Singapore 821663 · D19
3
2
969 sqft
$650,000
927 Hougang Street 91
Singapore 530927 · D19
3
2
1,087 sqft
$599,999
450C Bukit Batok West Avenue 6
Singapore 653450 · D23
3
2
1,001 sqft
$668,000
104D Canberra Street
Singapore 754104 · D27
3
2
1,001 sqft
$595,000
636 Woodlands Ring Road
Singapore 730636 · D25
4
3
1,528 sqft
$880,000
30 Cassia Crescent
Singapore 391030 · D14
3
2
1,108 sqft
$888,888
314 Jurong East Street 32
Singapore 600314 · D22
3
2
1,119 sqft
$520,000
412 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 3
Singapore 680412 · D23
3
2
1,119 sqft
$538,000
561B Jurong West Street 42
Singapore 642561 · D22
3
2
1,001 sqft
$665,000
449A Bukit Batok West Avenue 9
Singapore 651449 · D23
3
2
1,000 sqft
$599,000
683 Tessensohn Road
Singapore 210683 · D8
3
2
1,108 sqft
$680,000
119 Bishan Street 12
Singapore 570119 · D20
4
3
1,550 sqft
$1,290,000
760 Woodlands Avenue 6
Singapore 730760 · D25
3
2
1,086 sqft
$588,000
275C Compassvale Link
Singapore 543275 · D19
3
2
969 sqft
$670,000
365A Sembawang Crescent
Singapore 751365 · D27
3
2
1,001 sqft
$610,000
428B Yishun Avenue 11
Singapore 762428 · D27
3
2
979 sqft
$550,000
95A Henderson Road
Singapore 151095 · D3
3
2
1,001 sqft
$1,150,000
219 Choa Chu Kang Central
Singapore 680219 · D23
3
2
1,140 sqft
$560,000
335C Anchorvale Crescent
Singapore 543335 · D19
3
2
1,022 sqft
$800,000
460 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4
Singapore 680460 · D23
3
2
1,119 sqft
$499,999
782D Woodlands Crescent
Singapore 734782 · D25
3
2
990 sqft
$510,000
316D Punggol Way
Singapore 824316 · D19
3
2
1,001 sqft
$620,000
674A Yishun Avenue 4
Singapore 761674 · D27
3
2
1,205 sqft
$730,000
138C Yuan Ching Road
Singapore 613138 · D22
3
2
1,163 sqft
$799,000
709 Tampines Street 71
Singapore 520709 · D18
3
2
1,291 sqft
$789,000
11 Joo Seng Road
Singapore 360011 · D13
3
2
1,323 sqft
$699,994
688D Woodlands Drive 75
Singapore 734688 · D25
3
2
1,184 sqft
$558,000
673B Yishun Avenue 4
Singapore 762673 · D27
3
2
1,216 sqft
$700,000
291C Bukit Batok Street 24
Singapore 652291 · D23
3
2
1,302 sqft
$750,000
997B Buangkok Crescent
Singapore 532997 · D19
3
2
1,216 sqft
$690,000
310 Serangoon Avenue 2
Singapore 550310 · D19
3
2
1,302 sqft
$800,000
111 Jurong East Street 13
Singapore 600111 · D22
3
2
1,291 sqft
$628,000
256 Tampines Street 21
Singapore 522256 · D18
3
2
1,302 sqft
$668,000
130 Edgedale Plains
Singapore 820130 · D19
3
2
1,190 sqft
$630,000
805A Keat Hong Close
Singapore 681805 · D23
3
2
1,216 sqft
$688,888
5 Holland Close
Singapore 272005 · D10
4
2
1,335 sqft
$1,200,000
234B Sumang Lane
Singapore 822234 · D19
3
2
1,216 sqft
$738,000
707 Jurong West Street 71
Singapore 640707 · D22
4
2
1,365 sqft
$630,000
256 Tampines Street 21
Singapore 522256 · D18
3
2
1,301 sqft
$625,000
682B Jurong West Central 1
Singapore 642682 · D22
3
2
1,238 sqft
$638,000
881 Woodlands Street 82
Singapore 730881 · D25
4
2
1,345 sqft
$670,000
785D Woodlands Rise
Singapore 734785 · D25
3
2
1,216 sqft
$648,000
310A Punggol Walk
Singapore 821310 · D19
3
2
1,206 sqft
$788,000
158D Rivervale Crescent
Singapore 544158 · D19
3
2
1,195 sqft
$569,000
688B Choa Chu Kang Drive
Singapore 682688 · D23
3
2
1,184 sqft
$550,000
32 Bedok South Avenue 2
Singapore 460032 · D16
3
2
1,323 sqft
$730,000
650A Jurong West Street 61
Singapore 641650 · D22
3
2
1,183 sqft
$650,000
322B Sumang Walk
Singapore 822322 · D19
3
2
1,217 sqft
$918,000
40 Sims Drive
Singapore 380040 · D14
3
2
1,334 sqft
$720,000
322 Woodlands Street 32
Singapore 730322 · D25
3
2
1,313 sqft
$550,000
276C Jurong West Street 25
Singapore 643276 · D22
3
2
1,194 sqft
$539,000
231B Sumang Lane
Singapore 822231 · D19
3
2
1,215 sqft
$790,000
687C Woodlands Drive 75
Singapore 733687 · D25
3
2
1,227 sqft
$600,000
50 Lorong 5 Toa Payoh
Singapore 310050 · D12
4
2
1,323 sqft
$750,000
415 Jurong West Street 42
Singapore 640415 · D22
3
2
1,442 sqft
$560,000
351A Canberra Road
Singapore 751351 · D27
3
2
1,184 sqft
$580,000
232A Sumang Lane
Singapore 821232 · D19
3
2
1,216 sqft
$750,000
804 Woodlands Street 81
Singapore 730804 · D25
4
3
1,571 sqft
$750,000
740 Tampines Street 72
Singapore 520740 · D18
4
2
1,517 sqft
$840,000
430 Hougang Avenue 6
Singapore 530430 · D19
4
3
1,571 sqft
$1,028,000
330 Woodlands Avenue 1
Singapore 730330 · D25
4
3
1,582 sqft
$750,000
847 Woodlands Street 82
Singapore 730847 · D25
6
2
1,926 sqft
$990,000
145 Bedok Reservoir Road
Singapore 470145 · D16
4
3
1,539 sqft
$950,000
583 Woodlands Drive 16
Singapore 730583 · D25
4
2
1,410 sqft
$680,000
549 Pasir Ris Street 51
Singapore 510549 · D18
4
3
1,658 sqft
$985,000
664 Yishun Avenue 4
Singapore 760664 · D27
5
3
1,808 sqft
$968,000
611 Yishun Street 61
Singapore 760611 · D27
4
3
1,571 sqft
$860,000
606 Yishun Street 61
Singapore 760606 · D27
3
2
1,528 sqft
$830,000
131 Geylang East Avenue 1
Singapore 380131 · D14
4
3
1,571 sqft
$920,000
850 Woodlands Street 82
Singapore 730850 · D25
6
3
1,927 sqft
$1,100,000
465 Pasir Ris Street 41
Singapore 510465 · D18
4
2
1,571 sqft
$818,000
849 Woodlands Street 82
Singapore 730849 · D25
6
2
1,926 sqft
$1,050,000
452 Sin Ming Avenue
Singapore 570452 · D20
4
4
1,571 sqft
$1,250,000
665 Yishun Avenue 4
Singapore 760665 · D27
4
3
1,765 sqft
$1,200,000
711 Pasir Ris Street 72
Singapore 510711 · D18
3
2
1,572 sqft
$880,000
176 Woodlands Street 13
Singapore 730176 · D25
5
2
1,959 sqft
$920,000
120B Rivervale Drive
Singapore 542120 · D19
4
2
1,528 sqft
$860,000
606 Yishun Street 61
Singapore 760606 · D27
3
2
1,582 sqft
$828,000
588B Montreal Drive
Singapore 752588 · D27
4
2
1,345 sqft
$700,000
356 Woodlands Avenue 5
Singapore 730356 · D25
4
2
1,506 sqft
$980,000
148 Tampines Avenue 5
Singapore 521148 · D18
4
2
1,528 sqft
$940,000
114 Bedok Reservoir Road
Singapore 470114 · D16
3
3
1,614 sqft
$888,000
681 Choa Chu Kang Crescent
Singapore 680681 · D23
4
2
1,550 sqft
$650,000
753 Jurong West Street 74
Singapore 640753 · D22
4
2
1,582 sqft
$738,000
299A Compassvale Street
Singapore 541299 · D19
4
2
1,442 sqft
$838,000
578 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10
Singapore 560578 · D20
4
4
1,603 sqft
$1,080,000
646 Pasir Ris Drive 10
Singapore 510646 · D18
4
2
1,572 sqft
$765,000
721 Bedok Reservoir Road
Singapore 470721 · D16
3
2
1,582 sqft
$918,000
122 Bukit Batok Central
Singapore 650122 · D23
4
3
1,615 sqft
$880,000
509 Pasir Ris Street 52
Singapore 510509 · D18
4
2
1,571 sqft
$868,000
721 Bedok Reservoir Road
Singapore 470721 · D16
3
3
1,592 sqft
$920,000
830 Woodlands Street 83
Singapore 730830 · D25
5
3
1,893 sqft
$938,000
Non-Citizen Family Scheme
Applicable for: Resale flats
Single, below 35 and don’t mind living with your family? If your family members aren’t Singaporeans or PRs, you can still list them as essential occupiers to be eligible for the Non-Citizen Family Scheme. They can be your parents and siblings, or children if you’re widowed or divorced.
Before you submit your resale flat application, make sure that at least one parent or child has a valid Long Term Visit Pass or Work Pass for at least six months when you submit the resale flat application.
For example, if the pass was issued in May 2023, the earliest you can submit your resale application would be six months later in November 2023.
Apply for a bigger unit
Not many people know this, but yes, having an essential occupier can help you get a bigger HDB flat too!
3Gen flats
Applicable for: New flats from HDB and resale flats
3Gen units are estimated to have 115 sqm of floor area — 5 sqm extra compared to 5-room units. They’re designed for bigger families, so they come with one more bedroom with an attached bathroom.
And as the name suggests, they’re for multi-generational families. The family unit must consists of married/engaged couple and parents.
Essentially, this means that you can list at least one Singaporean or PR parent as an essential occupier to qualify for a 3Gen flat.
Jumbo flats (under Conversion Scheme)
Applicable for: Resale flats
Can’t find a jumbo flat to your liking? DIY a jumbo flat instead, through the Conversion Scheme by doing either of the following:
Buy a 3-room or smaller flat that’s adjoined to your currently owned 3-room or smaller flat
Buy two adjoining 3-room or smaller flats
The good thing about this scheme is that it’s not just for those who form a family nucleus with their spouse or parents.
If you’re widowed or divorced, you can also apply for this scheme and list your children under your legal custody, care and control as essential occupiers to get an HDB jumbo flat. Take note that at least one of the listed occupants is a Singaporean or PR.
Increase BTO ballot chances
Parenthood Priority Scheme (PPS)
Have a Singaporean child aged 18 and below? Or expecting to have a child? If you and your spouse are first-time buyers, you can increase your BTO chances by listing your child as an essential occupier.
Up to 30% of BTO units and 50% of SBF units are allocated under this scheme.
(The PPS will be expanded and renamed Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme (FPPS) from the August 2023 BTO exercise onwards.
Under this scheme, up to 40% of the BTO flats will be set aside for those under the FT (PMC) category. The unit allocation will be even higher at 60% for those applying for SBF. On top of that, they will get first priority if they’re applying for a 4-room or smaller flat in a non-mature estate.)
Third Child Priority Scheme (TCPS)
Having more children can also help with your BTO chances. If you have at least three children, you can qualify for this priority scheme. Widowed or divorced parents are also eligible as long as you have legal custody, care and control of your children.
Do note that the third child to be listed as an essential occupier must be a Singaporean born on or after 1 January 1987.
Under the TCPS, flat allocation is up to 5% of BTO and SBF units.
Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (Divorced/Widowed Parents) (ASSIST)
For divorced parents, here’s another priority scheme to take note. If you have at least one child aged 18 or below, you can increase your BTO chances by listing them as essential occupiers.
Through ASSIST, flat allocation is up to 5% of 2-room Flexi and 3-room BTO flats in non-mature estates. This allocation is shared with the 15% quota for second-timers.
Learn more about the BTO priority schemes here.
Qualify for grants/subsidies
Family Grant
Applicable for: Resale flats
For widowed or divorced parents, you can qualify for the Family Grant by listing your children as essential occupiers to form a family nucleus.
Here’s the maximum grant you can get.
Household | 2- to 4-room resale flat | 5-room or bigger |
SC/SC | S$80,000 | S$50,000 |
SC/SPR | S$70,000 | S$40,000 |
Learn more about the HDB grants available for couples and families here.
Proximity Housing Grant (PHG)
Applicable for: Resale flats
Planning to live with your parents or children? Listing them as essential occupiers can help you qualify for the PHG. The maximum grant amount is S$30,000 or S$15,000 if you’re single.
Learn more about Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) here.
Citizen Top-Up
Applicable for: New flats from HDB and resale flats
This is a form of subsidy for Singaporean/PR households who have:
Paid a premium of S$10,000 to buy a new flat from HDB
Taken a CPF housing grant that’s S$10,000 less than SC/SC households when you bought a resale flat, DBSS or Executive Condominium (EC)
They can qualify for the S$10,000 subsidy if the PR listed in the application (as an owner or occupier) becomes a Singaporean, or the family has a Singaporean child.
So if your child is Singaporean, you can list them as an essential occupier to qualify for the subsidy for the HDB flat, instead of waiting for the PR (whether it’s you or your spouse) to get citizenship.
Learn more about the Citizen Top-Up here.
What’s the drawback to listing your family member as an essential occupier?
MOP restrictions
The caveat is that anyone listed as an essential occupier will have to stay in the flat throughout the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP), (which is five years for typical HDB flats, and 10 years for PLH flats). Plus, they won’t be allowed to own local or foreign residential property within the MOP.
So listing your child as an essential occupier can complicate things if they intend to buy a BTO or resale within five years. It’s the same with your parents. They won’t be able to buy private property within the MOP if they’re essential occupiers of an HDB flat.
Use of grants and financing
On top of that, from 9 May 2023 onwards, essential occupiers will also receive a share of the housing grants. But they won’t be able to use it for the flat purchase unless they’re listed as a co-owner.
Like the co-owner, the essential occupier will be considered a second-timer for their next HDB flat purchase. They can use the grants the next time they apply for public housing.
The exception to this rule are parent-child households. Whether the child is listed as a co-applicant or essential occupier, they won’t be considered to have received the housing subsidy this time.
Additionally, listing your spouse as an essential occupier can affect financing since only the owner will be able to use their CPF savings and apply for mortgage to pay for the flat.
Interest in the flat in the event of the owner’s death
If your spouse is the sole owner and you’re an essential occupier, and in the unfortunate event that your spouse dies without a will, the flat ownership may not automatically go to you. According to the Intestate law, if you don’t have any children, you’ll only get half of the share, while the other half will go towards your spouse’s surviving parents.
Will you add an essential occupier for your HDB purchase? Let us know in the comments below.
If you found this article helpful, 99.co recommends FAQs: “Can I BTO during MOP?” – Commonly asked questions about buying HDB flat eligibility and Quick guide (with infographic) to BTO and resale HDB grants for singles.
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