The Oct 16 BTO launch includes ‘white flats’ and more housing options for singles

The Oct 16 Build-To-Order (BTO) launch will feature several changes that will affect home buyers, including a new way of classifying flats, more options for singles, and new open-concept “white flats”.

Here are the key changes:

1. New classification model for BTO flats

Flats in the Oct 16 BTO launch are the first to be classified under the new Prime, Plus and Standard model.

Instead of being classified under mature or non-mature estates, BTO flats will now be split into three groups.

Prime and Plus flats are in better locations, such as being closer to MRT stations and town centres. They come with stricter resale conditions, such as a 10-year minimum occupation period (MOP) and a subsidy clawback of between 6 and 9 per cent.

Prime flats are in the choicest locations that might be closer to the city centre or in surrounding towns.

Standard flats may have one or two good attributes, such as being close to an MRT station or amenities. They will come with a five-year MOP.

Owners of Prime and Plus flats will also not be allowed to rent out their entire flat at any time, whereas those of Standard flats will be able to do so after the MOP.

2. More housing options for singles

Singles aged 35 and older buying a flat for the first time can now apply for two-room flexi flats in all locations. There are nearly 2,000 such flats across 10 projects in the Oct 16 launch.

Previously, singles could buy new two-room flexi flats only in non-mature estates.

3. New open-concept “white flats”

Some home buyers will be able to choose a new type of flat without partition walls and beams, which creates an open-concept living and bedroom space. This offers them greater flexibility in configuring their living spaces, said HDB.

These “white flats” will be piloted at Crawford Heights, the only Prime project in this launch. Home buyers who opt for this will pay $6,000 less for a three-room flat and $8,600 less for a four-room flat due to the omission of inner partition walls and some electrical points.

4. Additional subsidies for flats

Plus and Prime flats in this launch come priced with additional subsidies – on top of the market discounts applied to all BTO flats – to keep them affordable for Singaporeans across a range of income levels, said HDB.

The prices of flats in this launch are considerably lower than the transacted prices of comparable resale flats, it added.

5. Bigger grants for first-timer families and singles

Eligible home buyers applying for their first new flat can tap the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG), which was raised to up to $120,000 for families and $60,000 for singles in August.

Previously, the maximum EHG amount was $80,000 for families and $40,000 for singles.

This article was originally published in The Straits Times.