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Guide To Open Booking Of HDB Flats

Deborah Gan

Deborah Gan

Last updated 21 March, 2023

Resale flats too expensive and BTO flats not worth the wait? Enter open booking, which may be your saving grace to finding your perfect home — you can even select your flat as early as the next working day after application!

You’ve probably heard of BTO flats — they’re an essential part of the quintessential Singaporean dream.

However, not many can afford the long waiting times, especially since COVID-19 threw a spanner in the works by causing significant construction delays. The waiting time for some BTO owners can be reportedly as long as seven years!  

There’s also another popular option of purchasing a resale flat. But have you seen the sky-high prices and Cash Over Valuation (COV)? As such, budget-conscious individuals may not consider resale flats a viable option.

If you think that purchasing a future home is no longer possible, fret not. There’s still the option of open booking that no one really talks about. If you’ve heard about Sale of Balance Flats (SBF), then open bookings work in a similar way, but not entirely.

Here’s all you need to know about open booking of flats.

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What is open booking of flats?

Similar to SBF, open booking flats are ‘leftover’ units that have not been selected during previous sales launches. They also comprise flats that were given up by homeowners who had selected them previously, as well as flats that were repurchased from the existing owners by HDB.

The good thing about open booking flats is that they are not bound by launches like BTO flats. Instead, they are mostly available almost all year round, subject to availability. 

Flat buyers can apply online any time and receive a queue number for flat booking. However, the application process operates on a first-come-first-served basis instead of balloting. When HDB gets back to you, you can head down to book a flat as early as the next working day. 

Open Booking of Flat March 2023 locations

A fresh supply of Open Booking of Flats in March 2023 has been announced and will be available in Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Bishan, Bukit Batok, Bukit Merah, Bukit Timah, Choa Chu Kang, Clementi, Geylang, Hougang, Kallang/Whampoa, Pasir Ris, Queenstown, Serangoon, Tampines, Toa Payoh, Woodlands, and Yishun.

Online application will commence on 28 March 2023, Tuesday at 8pm and close on 29 March 2023, Wednesday at 7:59pm.

You can apply online, receive a queue number for flat booking on a first-come-first-serve basis, and book a unit as early as the next working day. 

Non-mature estates

Bukit Batok

Block Level Street name Flat type Flat supply  Ethnic quota Starting price
470B #02 Bukit Batok West Avenue 5 5-room 2 Malay: 2
Chinese: 2
Indian/others: 2
S$424,000
471A #07 Bukit Batok West Avenue 5 2-room Flexi (short lease)* 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$63,000
2-room Flexi (99-year lease) S$110,000
471B #02 Bukit Batok West Avenue 5 4-room 1 Malay: 0
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$291,000
472A #02 to #03 Bukit Batok West Avenue 5 4-room 2 Malay: 1
Chinese: 2
Indian/others:2
S$291,000
472B #04 Bukit Batok West Avenue 5 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$315,000

Choa Chu Kang

Block Level Street name Flat type Flat supply  Ethnic quota Starting price
11 #07 Teck Whye Lane 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$265,000

Hougang

Block Level Street name Flat type Flat supply  Ethnic quota Starting price
15 #14 Hougang Avenue 3 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$244,000
601 #02 Hougang Avenue 4 5-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$415,000
624 #02 Hougang Avenue 8 5-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$415,000
642 #04 Hougang Avenue 8 3-room (income ceiling S$7,000) 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$208,000

Woodlands

Block Level Street name Flat type Flat supply  Ethnic quota Starting price
35 #02 Marsiling Drive 5-room 1 Malay: 0
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 0
S$285,000
137 #03 Marsiling Road 5-room 1 Malay: 0
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 0
S$300,000
204 #07 Marsiling Drive Executive 1 Malay: 0
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 0 
S$530,000
5A #02 Marsiling Drive 5-room 1 Malay: 0
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 0
S$273,000

Yishun

Block Level Street name Flat type Flat supply  Ethnic quota Starting price
475B #02 Yishun Street 44 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$267,000


Mature estates

Ang Mo Kio

Block Level Street name Flat type Flat supply  Ethnic quota Starting price
179 #02 to #03 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 4-room 2 Malay: 2
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 2
S$307,000
259 #19 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 2 5-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$508,000
301 #08 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$379,000
305 #15 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$379,000
471 #07 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 3-room (income ceiling S$14,000) 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$222,000
472 #02 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$293,000
506 #04 Ang Mo Kio 8 3-room (income ceiling S$14,000) 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$227,000
537 #04 to #11 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 4-room 2 Malay: 2
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 2
S$312,000
538 #02 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 3-room (income ceiling S$14,000) 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$222,000
612 #11 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$312,000
246A #29 Ang Mo Kio Street 21 5-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$793,000
307C #08 to #19 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 2-room Flexi (short lease) 2 Malay: 2
Chinese: 2
Indian/others: 1
S$151,000
309A #08 Ang Mo Kio Street 31 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$502,000
591A #02 Ang Mo Kio Street 51 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$520,000
651B #10 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 9 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$550,000

Bedok

Block Level Street name Flat type Flat supply  Ethnic quota Starting price
36 #05 Bedok South Avenue 2 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/otheres: 1
S$256,000

Bishan

Block Level Street name Flat type Flat supply  Ethnic quota Starting price
113 #03 Bishan Street 12 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$374,000
145 #07 Bishan Street 11 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$355,000
150 #03 Bishan Street 11 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$326,000
264 #07 Bishan Street 24 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$483,000
266 #05 Bishan Street 24 5-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 0
S$675,000
156B #02 Bishan Street 11 3-room (income ceiling S$14,000) 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$314,000
532A #19 Bishan Street 14 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$667,000
535C #29 Bishan Street 13 3-room (income ceiling S$14,000) 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$473,000
#07 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$622,000

Bukit Merah

Block Level Street name Flat type Flat supply  Ethnic quota Starting price
45 #10 Telok Blangah Drive 2-room Flexi (short lease) 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
NA
2-room Flexi (balance lease) S$166,000
58 #18 Havelock Road 2-room Flexi (short lease) 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$150,000
103 #11 Bukit Purmei Road 3-room (income ceiling S$14,000) 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$260,000
78C #04 Telok Blangah Drive 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$622,000
80B #04 to #07 Telok Blangah Street 31 2-room Flexi (short lease) 2 Malay: 2
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 2
S$126,000
92A #02 Telok Blangah Street 31 3-room (income ceiling S$14,000) 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$386,000
92B #14 Telok Blangah Street 31 2-room Flexi (short lease) 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$140,000

Bukit Timah

Block Level Street name Flat type Flat supply  Ethnic quota Starting price
21 #09 Toh Yi Drive 2-room Flexi (short lease) 1 Malay: 1 
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$120,000

Clementi

Block Level Street name Flat type Flat supply  Ethnic quota Starting price
338 #02 Clementi Avenue 2 5-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$475,000
612 #03 Clementi West Street 1 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$328,000
710 #02 Clementi West Street 2 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$298,000

Geylang

Block Level Street name Flat type Flat supply  Ethnic quota Starting price
95A #02 to #04 Circuit Road 2-room Flexi (short lease) 5 Malay: 5
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 5
S$146,000
Circuit Road 2-room Flexi (99-year lease) S$255,000
#02 Circuit Road 3-room (income ceiling S$14,000) 3 Malay: 3
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 3
S$375,000
#02 Circuit Road 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$552,000
95B #02 to #13 Circuit Road 2-room Flexi (short lease)* 10 Malay: 10
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 10
S$111,000
Circuit Road 2-room Flexi (99-year lease) S$193,000
#02 to #03 Circuit Road 3-room (income ceiling S$14,000) 2 Malay: 2
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 2
S$383,000
#02 Circuit Road 4-room 2 Malay: 2
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 2
S$552,000
95C #02 to #04 Circuit Road 4-room 7 Malay: 7
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 7
S$515,000
97A #02 Circuit Road 4-room 3 Malay: 3
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 3
S$515,000
97B #02 Circuit Road 4-room 9 Malay: 9
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 9
S$545,000
99A #02 to #03 Circuit Road 4-room 8 Malay: 8
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 8
S$533,000
99B #02 Circuit Road 4-room 2 Malay: 2
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 2
S$545,000
95C #02 to #04 Circuit Road 4-room 7 Malay: 7
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 7
S$515,000
97A #02 Circuit Road 4-room 3 Malay: 3
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 3
S$515,000
97B #02 Circuit Road 4-room 9 Malay: 9
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 9
S$545,000
99A #02 to #03 Circuit Road 4-room 8 Malay: 8
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 8
S$533,000
99B #02 Circuit Road 4-room 2 Malay: 2
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 2
S$545,000

Kallang/Whampoa

Block Level Street name Flat type Flat supply  Ethnic quota Starting price
141A #02 to #03 Mcnair Road 4-room 4 Malay: 4
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 4
S$535,000
141B #02 Mcnair Road 2-room Flexi (short lease) 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$139,000
141C #02 to #16 Mcnair Road 2-room Flexi (short lease) 7 Malay: 7
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 7
S$118,000
7C #03 Upper Boon Keng Road 5-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$635,000

Pasir Ris

Block Level Street name Flat type Flat supply  Ethnic quota Starting price
111 #01 Pasir Ris Street 11 Executive 1 Malay: 0
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$620,000
137 #02 Executive 1 Malay: 0
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$550,000

Queenstown

Block Level Street name Flat type Flat supply  Ethnic quota Starting price
8 #10 Holland Avenue 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$331,000
27 #15 Ghim Moh Link 2-room Flexi (short lease) 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1

S$167,000
2-room Flexi (balance lease) 1 S$287,000
89 #01 Commonwealth Drive 2-room Flexi (short lease) 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
NA
2-room Flexi ^(balance lease) S$132,000
90 #10 Tanglin Halt Road 2-room Flexi (short lease) 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$180,000
91 #06 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$177,000
169 #14 Stirling Road 3-room (income ceiling S$14,000) 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$174,000
28B #06 Dover Crescent 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$588,000
61B #06 Strathmore Avenue 2-room Flexi (short lease) 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 0
S$163,000
62B #06 to #08 Strathmore Avenue 2 Malay: 2
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$163,000

Serangoon

Block Level Street name Flat type Flat supply  Ethnic quota Starting price
236 #03 Serangoon Avenue 3 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 0
S$350,000
312 #02 Serangoon Avenue 2 5-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$532,000

Tampines

Block Level Street name Flat type Flat supply  Ethnic quota Starting price
258 #04 Tampines Street 21 4-room 1 Malay: 0
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$328,000
277 #06 Tampines Street 22 4-room 1 Malay: 0
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 0
S$348,000

Toa Payoh

Block Level Street name Flat type Flat supply Ethnic quota Starting price
119B #02 Alkaff Crescent 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$551,000
216A #03 Bidadari Park Drive 3-room (income ceiling S$14,000) 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$362,000
216B #02 4-room 4 Malay: 4
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 4
S$538,000
226A #02 Bartley Walk 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$534,000
#02 Bartley Walk 5-room 2 Malay: 2
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 2
S$651,000
226B #02 Bartley Walk 4-room 6 Malay: 6
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 6
S$518,000
#02 Bartley Walk 5-room 2 Malay: 2
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 2
S$644,000
227A #02 Bartley Walk 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$529,000
227B #02 Bartley Walk 5-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/others: 1
S$657,000
268A #05 to #16 Toa Payoh East

4-room 2 Malay: 2
Chinese: 2
Indian/others: 2
S$484,000
270A #09 to #14 Toa Payoh East 2-room Flexi (short lease) 2 Malay: 2
Chinese: 2
Indian/others: 2
S$112,000
#12 Toa Payoh East 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 1
Indian/others: 1
S$511,000
402A #05 to #35 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh 2-room Flexi (short lease) 2 Malay: 2
Chinese: 2
Indian/others: 2
S$126,000
79E #02 Toa Payoh Central 4-room 1 Malay: 1
Chinese: 0
Indian/othersL 1
S$527,000

*Short lease: flats that can be sold on short leases of 15 to 45 years.
^Balance lease: completed flats that are sold based on their balance leases


Process of open booking of flats

1. View flat listing

Select the flat that you’re interested in.

2. Check eligibility

Ensure that you’re eligible to buy a flat before submitting your application, and that you are eligible to apply for an HDB loan or bank loan. Then, decide if you prefer having HDB or the bank finance your home.

3. Submit application

After confirming the flat, submit your application.  The application process goes by fastest fingers first, so be prepared to click on ‘apply’ ASAP. 

4. Booking of flat

Once you receive your selection appointment date, you’re ready to head down to choose your unit. This might be early as the next working day if you’re successful (and lucky). Prepare the relevant documents beforehand and bring them with you to your appointment. The full list of required documents can be found here.

5. Key collection

Congratulations! After the agonising wait, you’re finally ready to collect your keys. Completed flats should be ready within three months, while uncompleted flats will only be ready once construction is complete, depending on the development. You’ll also need to bring the relevant documents with you for the official key collection.

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Who is eligible?

The eligibility criteria is the same as that for buying a new HDB flat.

You’ll need to:

  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Have at least one Singapore citizen applicant 
  • Qualify for a new flat under one of HDB’s eligibility schemes:
    • Public scheme
    • Fiance/Fiancee scheme
    • Orphans scheme
  • Fall within the income ceiling
    • S$7,000 or S$14,000 (depending on project) for three-room flats
    • S$14,000 or S$21,000 (if purchasing with extended or multi-gen family) for four-room flats or bigger
  • Meet the property ownership guidelines here

What grants are available for use?

Since open booking flats are considered subsidised housing, there are currently only two grants that you can apply for: 

  • Enhanced Housing Grant (EHG)
    • Calculated based on your average income for the last 12 months
    • Up to S$80,000 worth of grants with an income ceiling of S$9,000
  • Step-up grant
    • Available for second-timer applicants applying for a second subsidised HDB flat
    • S$15,000 in grant if eligibility conditions are met

Do note that grants for resale flats like the Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) and Family Grant (FG) are not applicable. Priority schemes are also not available for open booking.


Open booking vs BTO vs SBF

Here’s a quick comparison between open booking of flats, BTO flats, and SBF.

  Open booking BTO SBF
Frequency  Mostly throughout the year Four times a year Twice a year
Pool of flats Unselected re-offer of balance flats (ROF) New flats Unselected BTO and other flats
Priority schemes Not available Available Available
Grants Available Available Available
Flat selection appointment As early as the next working day after application From one and a half  months after application From two months after application
Key collection Completed flats: within three months
Flats under construction: when flats are completed
From two and a half to five years Completed flats: within three months
Flats under construction: when flats are completed

Pros and cons of open booking of flats

Before you decide on getting an opening booking, here are some pros and cons that you should take note of.

Pros Cons
Shorter waiting time: Most open booking flats are either already completed or halfway through the construction process
You can also select a flat as early as the next working day
Limited supply and options: Since they are considered ‘leftover’ flats, there won’t be many options with regards to the size of flat, level and unit’s position
Renovation costs: A new flat would mean lower renovation costs since you are working with a blank canvas Application process: Based on a first-come-first-served basis, which might not be ideal if you need time to think through it
Lease: Brand new 99-year lease  
Price: Cheaper than a resale flat  
Availability: Available all year round  

Who should opt for it?

Open booking flats are the perfect solution for families or couples who want a subsidised HDB flat because they’re on a tight budget, but are unable to endure the long waiting time for BTO flats because you need a flat urgently. Besides that, you are able to get an open booking any time of the year, since you are not bound to launch dates like with BTO flats.

However, families who value a good unit located at a high floor or near amenities may not be able to find a flat to meet all their needs since these flats are considered ‘leftover’ and might not be the best units within the development.

On the bright side, you’ll be able to enjoy the full 99-year lease of your property, just like BTO flats, which will be perfect if you’re on the hunt for a forever home to start a family in.


Read these next:
HDB Sale Of Balance Flats 2021
HDB BTO Launches In 2021 (February, May and August)
How Much Do You Need To Buy Your First Home In Singapore?
How To Buy A House In Singapore: A Complete Guide (2021)
HDB BTO, SBF Or Resale: Which Should You Pick?

 

A mahjong addict with an undying love for dogs, Deborah is always on the hunt for cheap deals because she is always broke. That is why she is attempting to be more financially savvy to be.. less broke