Guide To Open Booking Of HDB Flats

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.

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

Choa Chu Kang

Hougang

Woodlands

Yishun

Mature estates

Ang Mo Kio

Bedok

Bishan

Bukit Merah

Bukit Timah

Clementi

Geylang

Kallang/Whampoa

Pasir Ris

Queenstown

Serangoon

Tampines

Toa Payoh

*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.

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.

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.

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?