11 HDB Questions Singaporeans Ask Most, From Pet Rules To BTO Loans

Having public housing in Singapore is definitely something to be grateful for. But with public housing comes a whole list of rules and regulations that even long-time occupants of HDB flats might not even fully know. 

So, we asked around and took to forum sites to compile a list of burning questions Singaporeans had about all things HDB to bring you these answers:

1. Who can rent an HDB flat?

Image credit: @basic.haus via Instagram

Ownership of an HDB in Singapore can be a little complicated, but you’ll be happy to know that simply renting one is a lot more straightforward. While home ownership applicants for an HDB have to be Singaporean citizens or Permanent Residents, renting an HDB flat is also extended to non-citizens who are legally residing in Singapore.

These include holders of Employment Passes, S Passes, Work Permits, Student Passes, Dependant Passes, or Long-Term Social Visit Passes that have a validity period of at least six months.

While eligibility for rental isn’t as strict as HDB ownership, it is worth noting that rental of an HDB flat must be for at least a six-month period.

2. What should I do if all my BTO attempts have failed?

Thanks to the pandemic, the chances of successfully applying for a BTO seem to have gotten lower. With the overwhelming number of applicants each round, you’re probably wondering what you’re going to do if all your attempts fail.

For a lot of couples unable to secure a queue number, they choose to go for a resale flat. Although a bit more expensive, some older resale flats tend to have a slightly larger floor area than newer flats, and you don’t have to wait for as long a time to get your keys.

Alternatively, Executive Condos are another option for households earning above the BTO income ceiling. For applicable new EC projects, the household income ceiling now goes up to $18,000. Eligible first-timer households may also qualify for CPF Housing Grants, making ECs a more affordable step up from public housing than going straight for a private condo.

3. What are queue numbers based on? If they are based on anything at all

Image credit: Farrah via YouTube

Already the chances of getting a BTO queue number are pretty slim as it is. Getting a good one is a whole other story. While there are ways to increase your chances of getting a number, the order of queue numbers is totally randomly generated, so there’s no way to guarantee getting a good one.

From the February 2027 BTO and SBF exercises, first-timer families will receive 1 additional ballot chance for every Singapore Citizen child aged 18 or below, including an expected child.

But if you’re worried about even successfully balloting, there are ways to increase your chances. Other than having double the ballot chances as a first-time applicant, moving into a flat near your parents, or having a child can increase your chances.

These are some of the priority schemes you can apply for:

Priority Scheme	Eligibility	Flat Allocation
Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme (FPPS)	First-time married couples with an SC child aged 18 or below, including couples expecting a child. Qualifying young married couples under the FT(PMC) category can also qualify.	Up to 40% of BTO flats and 60% of SBF flats
Family Care Scheme (FCS) – Proximity	Parents and their children, whether married or single, applying to live with or near each other. Single children generally have to be aged 35+.	For first-timer families, up to 30% of BTO/SBF supply; second-timer families get up to 5% of BTO and 3% of SBF supply. Lower quotas apply to Prime projects.
Family Care Scheme (FCS) – Joint Balloting	Parents and their married or single children applying jointly for 2 flats in the same BTO project where 2-room Flexi or 3-room flats are offered.	Up to 15% of eligible 2-room Flexi/3-room flats for parents, with up to 15% of eligible 2-room Flexi to 5-room flats for their children.
Third Child Priority Scheme (TCPS)	Families with at least 3 children, including those expecting their third child. The youngest/newborn child must be an SC, among other eligibility requirements.	Up to 10% of BTO and SBF flats
Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (Divorced/Widowed Parents) (ASSIST)	Second-timer divorced or widowed parents with at least 1 child aged 18 or below, subject to HDB’s property-ownership conditions.	Up to 5% of 2-room Flexi and 10% of 3-room Standard BTO flats
Tenants’ Priority Scheme (TPS)	Families who have lived in an HDB public rental flat for at least 2 years when applying for their HFE letter.	Up to 10% of 2-room Flexi and 3-room BTO/SBF flats
Senior Priority Scheme (SPS) – Near Existing Home	Seniors applying for a 2-room Flexi flat within 4km of their existing owner-occupied home.	Within the seniors’ quota, half in Standard/Plus and a quarter in Prime projects are set aside jointly for eligible SPS and FCS (Proximity) applicants.

4. What are the HDB approved pets?

For all the animal lovers out there, you can take heart in knowing that HDB has no restrictions on small animals as long as they don’t cause a disturbance to your neighbours. So, you can keep all the hamsters, guinea pigs, and terrapins you want. 

However, cat lovers and dog lovers should know that there are quite a few restrictions for our beloved felines and canines. 

Cat lovers can now keep up to 2 pet cats in an HDB flat, alongside 1 dog of an approved breed. Your furbabies must also be microchipped and licensed with AVS, because from 1 September 2026, keeping an unlicensed pet cat is an offence.

Image credit: @hirothesuperdoggo via Instagram

Dog owners, however, are allowed to keep any of the HDB-approved breeds but can only own one dog at a time. If you’re a strong believer in the adopt-don’t-shop policy, you’ll be pleased to know that shelter dogs are included.

Project ADORE allows eligible local mixed-breed dogs up to 55cm in height in HDB flats after removing the old 15kg weight cap.

5. Do you get the same amount of loans for resale and BTO?

The short answer is, not necessarily. Whether you’re buying a BTO or resale flat, you can generally choose between an HDB loan or a bank loan, as long as you’re eligible. That said, the amount you can borrow isn’t always the same. For an HDB loan, you can borrow up to 75% of a new flat’s purchase price, while for a resale flat, it’s up to 75% of the lower of the resale price or HDB valuation.

HDB Loan	Bank Loan
Interest rate: Currently 2.6% p.a.; pegged at 0.1 percentage point above the CPF OA interest rate and reviewed quarterly	Interest rate: Varies between financial institutions and may change with market conditions
Loan tenure: Up to 25 years, subject to the applicants’ age and remaining flat lease	Loan tenure: Up to 30 years, although the applicable LTV may be affected by factors such as a tenure exceeding 25 years
Downpayment: At least 25% with the maximum 75% LTV; can generally be paid using CPF OA and/or cash, subject to CPF rules	Downpayment: At least 25% with a maximum 75% LTV; at least 5% must be paid in cash, with the remaining amount payable using cash and/or CPF OA
New flats: LTV up to 75% of purchase price Resale flats: LTV up to 75% of the lower of resale price or HDB valuation	New flats: LTV up to 75% of purchase price Resale flats: LTV up to 75% of the lower of resale price or valuation
Early repayment: No lock-in period or administrative fee for partial capital repayment	Early repayment: Depends on the loan package; lock-in periods and early-repayment charges may apply

6. Can you buy a resale flat while waiting for your BTO?

Generally, you can’t buy a resale flat and keep your existing BTO booking. If you or any core member in your BTO application purchases a resale flat after booking the BTO, HDB will cancel the BTO application.

There also isn’t a special 2-year MOP for a resale flat bought while waiting for a BTO. Resale unclassified and Standard flats generally have a 5-year MOP, while Plus and Prime flats have a 10-year MOP. If you decide to cancel your BTO and buy a resale flat instead, the penalties and wait-out period will depend on how far along you are in the BTO purchase process.

Alternatively, you can apply for the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS) which offers interim housing to newlywed couples waiting for their HDB. All you need is a successful BTO application and a marriage certificate.

7. What if I can’t repay my HDB loan?

Dealing with bills and loans can be a headache, especially if you’re unable to make payments. Fortunately, HDB does have Financial Assistance Measures (FAM) to help families who may have difficulties paying the monthly instalments.  

Some of these include lowering the monthly instalments by extending the housing loan term. HDB may also offer measures such as temporarily reducing/defering instalments or restructuring the repayment period, depending on the household’s circumstances. These measures are ideal for those in short-term financial crises and give them time to get back on their feet.

In more drastic situations, there is a home protection scheme under CPF that reduces your mortgage and protects you from losing your home in the event of death, terminal illness, or total and permanent disability. This particular scheme insures you up to the age of 65, or until you clear your housing loans.

8. What happens if we get an HDB under the singles scheme but get married in the future, can we still apply for a new flat?

HDB has pretty strict rules when it comes to home ownership, including the fact that a married household generally can’t hold on to 2 HDB flats. So, if you and your new boo each bought a flat while single, you’ll need to sort out the ownership of your flats with HDB after getting married, such as by retaining one flat and selling or transferring the other.

If you’re hoping to apply for a totally new flat together, you’ll first need to sort out any existing flat ownership. And here’s another thing to take note of: if either of you previously bought a subsidised flat from HDB or received a CPF Housing Grant for a resale flat, you’ll generally be considered a second-timer for your next subsidised flat application, which means you won’t get the same priority as first-timer applicants.

9. Who is eligible for BTO?

Other than finding a life partner, there are a few other considerations you need to take note of before you’re eligible to apply for a BTO.

All applicants and occupants have to be 21 years old and above, and at least one of you must be a Singapore citizen with another citizen or a PR. Eligible singles aged 35 and above can apply for a new 2-room Flexi flat on their own.

Income ceilings also depend on the type of flat you’re applying for. For HFE applications submitted from 24th August 2026, the ceiling is $8,000 for a 2-room Flexi flat, $8,000 or $16,000 for a 3-room flat depending on the project, and $16,000 for 4- and 5-room flats. Eligible extended or multi-generation families can have an income ceiling of up to $24,000.

You’ll also need a valid HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter before submitting your BTO application.

10. Should I apply for BTO or resale?

BTO vs resale is the age-old question. While most people’s argument seems to be that resale is pricier and BTO has a longer wait time, the battle between BTO and resale is a little more complicated than that. From different grants to different eligibility criteria, there’s actually more to consider between the two housing options. You can read more about it in detail in our BTO vs resale comparison here.

BTO flats are usually the more affordable option, but you’ll have to be prepared to wait a little longer for your home. Resale flats, on the other hand, give you more freedom when it comes to location and let you move in much sooner.

Just keep in mind that resale flat eligibility can differ depending on the flat classification. Standard and unclassified resale flats generally don’t have a purchase income ceiling, while Plus flats have a $16,000 ceiling, and Prime flats follow the prevailing BTO eligibility rules. You may still need to meet separate income limits if you’re applying for CPF housing grants or an HDB loan.

11. Are there special loans for students?

There aren’t any HDB or bank loans specifically for students, but eligible young couples can make use of Deferred Income Assessment (DIA). From the July 2025 sales exercises, only one party needs to be a full-time student or NSF, or have completed full-time studies or NS within the 12 months before applying for an HFE letter. At least one person must also be 30 years old or younger, and the couple must be married or applying under the Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme, with at least one first-timer applicant.

Instead of having their income assessed upfront, eligible couples buying an uncompleted flat can have their income assessed for the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) and HDB housing loan around 3 months before the flat is completed. This gives students and NSFs more time to enter the workforce and build up an income before their loan and grant amounts are worked out.

Eligible young couples can also benefit from the Staggered Downpayment Scheme. Those who qualify for DIA can pay just 2.5% of the flat price when signing the Agreement for Lease, with the remaining downpayment due when they collect their keys. The exact amount payable at key collection will depend on the type of housing loan they take.

Top HDB questions, answered

With the countless abbreviations, CPF grants, and schemes, there’s a whole lot to know about HDBs. Whether you’re looking to apply for one or you’ve stayed in one your whole life, it’s always good to keep yourself informed so you won’t unknowingly break a rule.

Check out more articles on HDB things:

• Building a walk-in wardrobe in your HDB 
• Wall-hacking in HDB
• Safest HDB estates
• High or low floor in an HDB?

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Cover image adapted from: @hirothesuperdoggo via Instagram, Farrah via YouTube
This article was originally published on 25th January 2022, and updated on 8th September 2026.