Timeline between BTO Flat Application and Key Collection

49 Mr Shawn Huang Wei Zhong asked the Minister for National Development (a) in the long term, what is the desired and acceptable timeline for HDB BTO home buyers from the time of application of an HDB flat to receiving their flat’s keys; and (b) what are the considerations for this desired timeline.

Mr Desmond Lee: Prior to COVID-19, the average waiting time for BTO projects launched in 2019 was between three and four years.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the construction industry and on BTO waiting times. The current average waiting time of projects launched in 2020, after factoring in delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is about four years. For ongoing projects, we expect that most flat buyers will be able to move into their new homes within four to five years after booking their flats, barring any further unforeseen circumstances.

We recognise that many home buyers want to move into their new homes and settle down as soon as they can. HDB strives to keep waiting times as short as possible and has rolled out extensive assistance measures to help contractors complete their ongoing projects in a timely manner. However, project-specific attributes, such as storey height, number of units and site conditions will cause waiting times to vary. Projects with challenging site conditions or taller blocks, generally, take a longer time to construct. HDB endeavours to complete all BTO projects expeditiously, without comprising safety and quality.