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How to Buy an HDB BTO Flat
A step-by-step guide on buying your first BTO flat.
Last updated 23 March 2026
If you’re planning to buy a Build-To-Order (BTO) flat, you can apply for them through HDB’s BTO sales launches. Here’s a step-by-step guide on buying your first BTO flat.
Note: HDB offers new flats via these main modes of sale: Build-To-Order (BTO) and Sale of Balance Flats (SBF). While this article focuses on BTO flats, the same payment milestones also apply to flats purchased via SBF.
Step 1: Apply for an HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter & plan your finances
What you need to do:
Apply for an HFE letter through the HDB Flat Portal – the HFE letter will confirm your eligibility to buy a flat from HDB, as well as the CPF housing grants, and the HDB housing loan amount you can receive.
If you wish to take a housing loan from a financial institution (FI), you may also concurrently apply for In-Principal Approvals (IPA) from participating FIs when you apply for an HFE letter.
Learn more in our step-by-step guide on how to apply for an HFE letter.
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No payment required – applying for an HFE letter is free.
What you need to know:
You must have a valid HFE letter when you apply for a flat during a sales launch.
Your HFE letter will be valid for 9 months.
Typically, HDB will send you the HFE letter about one month after receiving your complete application. However, the processing time is expected to be longer in the months of and before a sales launch – so apply early!
With the housing and financing options in your HFE letter, you can work out a budget for your flat. With HDB’s budget calculator, you can retrieve information from your approved HFE letter, and be guided through the process of calculating your flat budget.
First-timers buying BTO flats can receive up to $120,000 in grants – read more in our guide to CPF housing grants.
What happens next:
Visit the HDB Flat Portal to check out the BTO projects to be offered at the next sales launch, where information such as the site map, flat types and approximate number of units offered for each project will be provided.
Follow HDB’s social media channels @SingaporeHDB and keep a look out for announcements on our sales launches!
When buying a flat, there will be legal fees involved for conveyancing (ownership of the flat) and taking up a mortgage loan. If you’re taking a housing loan from HDB, HDB typically acts as your solicitor. If you’re taking a housing loan from a Financial Institution (FI), you will need to appoint a private solicitor – FIs typically work with an approved panel of law firms for home purchase transactions, so you should check with your FI on their arrangements.
Step 2: Apply for a flat online during a sales launch
What you need to do:
During a sales launch, you will see a banner (like the one pictured below) on the HDB Flat Portal. Click on it and it will lead you to a listing page with prices and information on the projects on offer. Be sure to go through the details (including the flat types and classifications), and discuss the options with your co-applicant!
In a typical sales launch, you will have one week to submit your application. There’s no need to rush as applications are not processed on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Homepage of the HDB Flat portal during Sales Launch
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$10 non-refundable administrative fee to be paid at the time of application
What you need to know
Qualifying for one of HDB’s priority schemes improves your chances in the ballot. Learn more about the priority schemes available, so you can make an informed decision before you apply for flat.
What happens next:
After applications close, HDB will process the BTO applications using a computer ballot. This will determine your queue position to book a flat.
HDB will notify you on the outcome of your ballot via email, within 2 months after applications close.
After the ballot results have been released, the booking exercise begins about 4 weeks later. This process may take place over several months, depending on the flat supply and the take-up rate. HDB will notify you of your flat booking appointment about 2 weeks before your appointment date.
Step 3: Book a flat
What you need to do:
Bring the required documents for your appointment at HDB Hub – identity documents, verification of relationship (e.g. marriage certificate), other documents such as doctor’s certification of pregnancy or child’s certificate.
During your flat booking appointment, you can also select items under the Optional Component Scheme, where applicable. The cost of your chosen components will be added to your flat purchase price. They will be installed during the construction of your flat.
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You will need to pay your option fee in cash when you book your flat, and the fee amount varies depending on your flat type. This option fee will form part of your downpayment.
4-room and bigger flat: $2,000 option fee
3-room flat: $1,000 option fee
2-room Flexi or Community Care Apartment: $500 option fee
What you need to know:
You can create a watchlist of your preferred units on the HDB Flat Portal and receive notifications if/ when they have been booked by others.
If you are a young couple (comprising a full-time student, National Serviceman, or fresh graduate) who is eligible to defer your income assessment, you will be informed when you book a flat. With Deferred Income Assessment, you will be assessed for your eligibility to receive the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant and an HDB housing loan later, closer to key collection. Learn more about Deferred Income Assessment.
What happens next:
Within 9 months after booking your flat, you will be invited to sign the Agreement for Lease.
You may use the Create Payment Plan service to find out the payments involved at different milestones for your intended flat purchase.
Step 4: Sign Agreement for Lease
What you need to do:
Bring the required documents for your appointment at HDB Hub – namely your identity documents.
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You will need to make a downpayment for your flat (10-20% of purchase price).The amount depends on the type of loan you are taking. You will also need to pay stamp duty and legal fees.
What you need to know:
You may pay the downpayment with cash and/ or CPF Ordinary Account (OA) savings (including CPF housing grant if eligible), depending on your financing options as shown in the table below:
Downpayment for BTO Flat
I am taking a housing loan from HDB/ I am not taking any housing loan. | I am taking a housing loan from a Financial Institution. | ||
Loan-To-Value Limit of 75% | Loan-To-Value Limit of 55% | ||
During signing of Agreement for Lease | 10% of purchase price [1] | 20% of purchase price: Minimum cash payment at 5% of purchase price Remaining 15% using cash and/ or CPF OA savings (including CPF housing grant if eligible) | 20% of purchase price: Minimum cash payment at 10% of purchase price Remaining 10% using cash and/ or CPF OA savings (including CPF housing grant if eligible) |
During key collection[2] | 15% of flat purchase price [2] | 5% of purchase price | 25% of purchase price |
Note: The LTV limit is the maximum amount of your flat's price or value that you can borrow as a loan. This limit helps ensure you don’t borrow more than you can afford to repay.
[1] Young couples may qualify for the Staggered Downpayment Scheme, which helps you pay your downpayment in 2 instalments. You can pay the remaining downpayment when you collect your key instead, giving more time to save up. Learn more about the Staggered Downpayment Scheme.
[2] Applicants who do not take a housing loan will have to pay the balance purchase price by cash and/ or CPF OA savings when they collect the keys to their flat.
What happens next:
After you have signed the agreement for lease, you can use HDB's 'Check Application for New Flat Purchase' e-Service to check the building progress of your flat. Look for the Probable Completion Date (PCD), which is the estimated completion date of your flat.
If there are changes to your household particulars in your flat application or financial circumstances, you will need to inform HDB as soon as possible.
HDB will notify you via email and SMS within 2 weeks before your key collection appointment.
Before your key collection appointment, you will need to buy an HDB fire insurance policy for the flat from HDB’s appointed insurer, if you are taking a housing loan from HDB. Ensure its coverage begins on the same day as key collection. You must buy and renew the HDB fire insurance every 5 years for your homes, as long as you have an outstanding HDB loan.
Step 5: Key collection
What you need to do:
Bring the required documents for your appointment at HDB Hub – your identity documents and Certificate of HDB Fire Insurance (digital or hard copy).
Ensure you can access your Singpass account. Bring your mobile/ digital device (with internet access) to apply for CPF withdrawal online
If you applied as a fiancé/ fiancée, you will need to solemnise your marriage within 3 months of collecting the keys to your flat.
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Balance payment for flat in full – using cash, CPF (including Housing Grants) or housing loan if you’re taking one
Mortgage Stamp duty and legal fees
Insurance under Home Protection Scheme (HPS) payable to CPF Board, if you are taking a housing loan from HDB and paying the instalments using CPF savings
1st month Service and Conservancy Charges payable to Town Council
Find out more about these payments you have to make at key collection.
What you need to know:
If you’re taking a housing loan from HDB, make the payments required at key collection. Your housing loan will be disbursed at the key collection appointment, and your monthly instalment payment will start on the 1st day of the month immediately after key collection. Your monthly instalments are due and payable on the first day of every month thereafter.
If you’re taking a housing loan from a Financial Institution (FI), you will make the required payments at your solicitor’s office, and they will handle the payments to HDB. Once HDB receives the payments, we will schedule your key collection appointment. Check with your solicitor for the payment timeline and process.
If you’re not taking a housing loan, make the payments required at key collection.
Congratulations, you’re now the proud owner of your HDB BTO flat!