Lease buyback scheme open to all HDB flats; Govt looking into letting

SINGAPORE - Elderly owners in all Housing Board flats - including those in five-room units or executive maisonettes - can soon sell a part of their lease to the Government and use that income to fund their retirement years.

Previously, the Lease Buyback Scheme was restricted to those living in four-room or smaller flats.

Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong noted in a blog post on Monday (Aug 20) that there are seniors who prefer to age in place, or have a bigger space for their extended family members to visit them regularly.

“This will enable many more Singaporeans to benefit from the scheme,” he said. 

The current take-up rate for the scheme, which was implemented in 2009, is relatively low. As of Nov 30, 2017, about 2,500 families have benefited from it. The proceeds they received average about $146,000. 

ERA Realty key executive officer Eugene Lim, noting that the Government has taken in industry and public feedback to expand the scheme, said: “The choices available to monetise one’s flat should and have now rightfully been made available to all.” 

Cash-strapped owners of larger flats, in particular, will have a chance to raise much-needed funds without selling the homes they have lived in for most of their lives, he said. 

Mr Wong's ministry is also looking into ways to let buyers of shorter-lease flats use more of their CPF funds for their purchase without compromising their retirement savings.

Improving the liquidity of the resale market for older flats, he said, would facilitate an elderly resident’s move to a smaller unit. 

Currently, CPF can be used for the purchase of older HDB flats subject to certain restrictions, which kick in when the remaining lease is less than 60 years. 

A home owner can use his CPF money if his age plus the number of years left on the remaining lease of the property is at least 80 years, but subject to restrictions. No CPF money can be used if the remaining lease is less than 30 years.

"These rules are meant to ensure that buyers purchase a home for life, without compromising their retirement savings," Mr Wong said. But he added that there is "scope to provide more flexibility for buyers of shorter-lease flats while safeguarding their retirement adequacy".

International Property Advisor chief executive Ku Swee Yong said he hopes to see more details soon. At first glance, it appears that owners of older flats will soon have a wider market they can sell to, he added. 

“But your flat eventually has to go down to zero value. So if today, you’re opening access to older flats, then you’re kicking the can down the road, when another generation of home owners has to worry about an asset which has seen even steeper depreciation,” he said. 

In his blog post, Mr Wong said these shorter-term moves are to help seniors unlock the value of their HDB flats for retirement, and go with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's National Day Rally announcements to systematically upgrade and progressively rebuild older HDB towns.