A Singapore Government Agency Website
What Can Happen to Your Public Housing Flat?
Read on for an overview of the public housing options that you can consider.
Retaining Your Flat
It is recommended for you to read the following content with a clear mind as decisions on housing arrangements bear financial implications. If you are feeling emotional at this point in time, you may wish to come back to this page later when you are in a calmer state of mind.
Children may become deeply unsettled by major life changes. If you have decided to go ahead with a divorce, it is important to make your housing plans bearing in mind the impact on your children. Careful planning is needed for the transition to be as smooth as possible for you and your children.
You can retain the flat if you have custody of the child (including care and control). If you have no children from your marriage, you can have sole ownership if you are a Singapore Citizen, at least 35 years old and meet prevailing conditions for retention of the flat under the Single Singapore Citizen (SSC) Scheme. Alternatively, you can include another person to retain the flat under the eligibility scheme, subject to you meeting the prevailing conditions.
While considering retaining your current flat, it is important to ensure that you can pay for the monthly instalments to service the housing loan for the flat. If you are unable to service your monthly instalments, it would be better for you to make alternative housing arrangements now and to find a housing option that is within your financial means to avoid running into loan arrears and having to sell or lose your flat subsequently. To give you an idea on the finances you will need to retain your current HDB flat as well as your eligibility to retain your flat, you may wish to use the Housing Options Explorer.
You can retain your flat through the transfer of ownership of the flat, or buy your spouse’s share of the flat at an agreed price.
You may also wish to note that in some instances, parties may be required to do a cash top-up to make the required CPF refunds.
For instance,
- The Court may order that the net sale proceeds are to be divided between the parties in a manner that is not commensurate with the percentage of CPF monies that each party used.
- The Court may order that if the Flat is sold at a loss:
-
- Party A’s CPF monies used (plus accrued interest) will be refunded to Party A’s CPF Account in full first.
- The remainder of the net sale proceeds shall then be refunded to Party B’s CPF Account to make the full required CPF refunds to Party B’s CPF Account.
In both instances, the amount received by the parties may be insufficient to make the required CPF refunds and one or both parties may be required to do cash top-ups to make the full required CPF refunds.
For more information on buying your spouse’s share of the flat in the event of a divorce, you may wish to visit the HDB website. Should you wish to contact HDB for more details and clarifications, you can submit your enquiry through the HDB e-feedback form.
If you are considering retaining your current flat, you may wish to read more about determining your financial capacity to service your housing loan.
If you require further assistance on retaining your flat, you may wish to book an e-appointment with HDB.
Pause and Reflect
Have you considered the proximity of your current flat to your children’s school and/or to their caregiver’s house?
Do you have sufficient budget to pay for the housing loan and the maintenance of the flat?
Are there any other financial arrangements that you need to make after the divorce?
This content was developed in conjunction with the Housing Development Board (HDB) and the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board. The information on this site is for general information only and is not intended to be, and should not be relied on as a substitute for professional legal advice.
