Tag Archives: Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme

3,500 applicants barred after cancelling HDB booking

Posted on 7 Nov 2014 | Comments Off on 3,500 applicants barred after cancelling HDB booking

Since March 2012, about 3,500 applicants who cancelled their booking for a HDB flat have been barred from buying BTO flats for one year.

In a written response to a query in yesterday’s parliamentary session, Minister of National Development Khaw Boon Wan said, “The measure to impose a one-year debarment on HDB flat buyers who cancel their bookings is to discourage frivolous booking. Such behaviour is unfair to genuine flat buyers who may otherwise be crowded out.”

When asked if HDB will consider allowing walk-in application and selection of flats under the Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise on a monthly basis, Mr Khaw said the government prefers to accumulate its balance flats and sell them under a SBF exercise when there is a sufficiently large supply.

“This allows applicants more choices of flat types in various locations,” he said.

Flats from the SBF exercise consist balance flats from earlier Build-To-Order (BTO) exercises, surplus Selective En-bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) replacement flats, and repurchased flats.

These flats are mostly under construction or near completion.

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HDB to study if temporary rental housing scheme for married couples can be adjusted

Posted on 5 Jul 2013 | Comments Off on HDB to study if temporary rental housing scheme for married couples can be adjusted

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) said it will assess the need to adjust the temporary rental housing scheme to help even more married couples.

For the 1,150 flats made available under this scheme, it has so far received applications for 554.

The scheme was launched in January to help married couples waiting for their new Build-To-Order flat to be completed.

41-year-old Jeremy Pher used to pay more than S$2,300 to rent a flat in the open market.

With HDB’s new Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS), he now pays S$1,200 to rent a four-room flat directly from the HDB.

He is one of about 140 applicants who have moved in, or are in the process of moving in, to temporary rental housing units.

As not all of the units are occupied yet, Mr Pher said there are some perks and drawbacks of a quieter block.

He said: “At the moment yes, there’s plenty of car park space for me. I can choose my lot anytime. For me, I don’t think there’s a big problem because Singapore is safe. Right now I do not have a neighbour opposite me, so I just got to take a little bit more extra precaution in terms of safety that I need to just lock up my door and probably close the main door. ”

Other residents Channel NewsAsia spoke to had mixed views.

Flats under the scheme are located in mature estates, like Bedok, Jurong West, Queenstown and Ang Mo Kio.

They have primarily been vacated under the Selective En-Bloc Redevelopment Scheme.

HDB said with flats located in mature estates with amenities, this should go some way in ensuring safety.

Senior Estate Manager of the Housing Management Group at HDB Justina Tan said: “We are not chasing after numbers. The objective of PPHS is to provide an additional housing option for first-timer married couples who need temporary housing while they’re waiting for their new HDB flats to be completed. We are not too worried, or too concerned about the safety issues. We are also working with the relevant authorities to make sure there are safety measures in place.”

More applicants will be able to select their flats in July and August.

Source – CNA – 5 Jul 2013

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