Data on HDB Flats with Accrued Interest on Outstanding Resale Levies and Waiver Approvals for Second-time Subsidised Flat Buyers in Last 10 Years

38 Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for National Development (a) what is the number of HDB flats in respect of which accrued interest on the resale levy will be payable if the former owners purchase a second subsidised flat; and (b) over the last 10 years, (i) what is the number of cases annually where such resale levy interest was charged and (ii) what is the number of partial or full waivers granted.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: Under the current resale levy policy, in place since March 2006, second-timers (STs) pay a resale levy upon the sale of the first subsidised flat or on the collection of keys to the second flat, whichever is later. There is no interest component.

Under an earlier policy, ST households who sold their first subsidised flat between May 1997 and March 2006 could defer resale levy payment until the collection of keys to their second subsidised flat, subject to an interest of 5% per annum.

Nonetheless, since 2015, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) has waived the accrued interest on the resale levy payable by all ST seniors right-sizing to a smaller flat. HDB has also been exercising flexibility for other affected STs upon appeal. Following the implementation of the HDB Flat Eligibility letter in 2023, HDB has automatically waived the accrued interest for ST households without requiring an appeal.