> Quick view: From 28 July 2026, private residential property owners and former owners can buy a non-subsidised HDB resale flat straight after selling — the 15-month wait-out is gone — as long as they are not taking an HDB housing loan. It covers all flat sizes; you must still sell your private property within 6 months of completing the resale purchase.
Singapore has scrapped one of its 2022 property cooling measures. On 28 July 2026, National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat announced the removal of the 15-month wait-out period, with immediate effect.
What changed
Since September 2022, a private residential property owner (or a former owner) who wanted to buy a non-subsidised HDB resale flat had to wait 15 months after selling their private home before they could do so. That waiting period has now been removed. Eligible buyers can purchase a non-subsidised resale flat right after selling, and it applies regardless of flat size.
The one condition that matters most: the removal is for buyers using a bank loan or cash. You must not be taking an HDB housing loan to benefit from it.
Who still has to wait
The 15-month rule is gone, but a few separate rules were not part of this change:
- If you want an HDB housing loan. As a general guide, you cannot have owned private residential property within the 30 months before applying for an HDB loan — so a wait effectively remains for buyers who need HDB financing rather than a bank loan.
- Subsidised flats. A new BTO or Sale of Balance flat, or a resale flat bought with CPF housing grants, has its own eligibility conditions.
- New Executive Condominiums bought from a developer carry their own rules too.
- You still must sell your private property within 6 months of completing the resale flat purchase if you owned one at the time.
Why now
The 15-month wait-out was introduced in September 2022 to cool a hot HDB resale market. The government says it is being lifted because the market has stabilised: HDB resale prices dipped in the first two quarters of 2026 after years of strong growth, so the measure has done its job.
What it means for you
- Downgraders and right-sizers — private owners moving to a resale flat now have far more flexibility on timing, and no longer need to rent for over a year in between.
- Watch the market. Removing a demand curb could add some buying interest to the resale market, so keep an eye on prices if you are planning to buy.
- Check your financing first. The benefit hinges on using a bank loan (or cash), not an HDB loan — work out your loan route before you commit.
This is a summary of the official announcement, not financial advice. Rules and eligibility can be nuanced — confirm your own situation with HDB (hdb.gov.sg) before making any decision.
