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HDB Resale Process — Step by Step

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The 7-stage process

  1. Stage 1 — Eligibility check (HFE letter)

    Both buyer and seller log in via HDB Flat Portal with Singpass. The buyer applies for an HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter — confirms scheme, grants, and indicative HDB loan amount. Valid 6 months. The seller registers their intent to sell.

    Typical duration: 1–4 weeks for HFE approval.

  2. Stage 2 — House hunting & agreement on price

    Buyer views flats (typically via agents or listing portals). Once price is agreed, parties prepare to sign the OTP. Sellers must have an Intent to Sell on file before granting an OTP.

  3. Stage 3 — Option to Purchase (OTP)

    Seller signs OTP. Buyer pays Option Fee (up to $1,000) to receive the option. Buyer has 21 days to exercise. To exercise, buyer pays the Option Exercise Fee (balance up to $5,000 in total). Once exercised, the OTP is binding on both parties.

  4. Stage 4 — Request for HDB Value

    After OTP is granted (before exercise), buyer requests the HDB Value Reference. Fee $120. Result determines maximum CPF + HDB loan; anything above is Cash Over Valuation (COV).

    HDB Value Reference: 1–2 weeks.

  5. Stage 5 — Submit Resale Application

    Both buyer and seller log in to HDB Resale Portal and submit their halves of the resale application within 7 days of each other. HDB schedules a Financial Plan video / appointment for the buyer.

    Application processing: 2–3 weeks.

  6. Stage 6 — Acknowledgement & Approval

    HDB issues Acknowledgement Letter to both parties, confirming the application is in order. Outstanding documents must be submitted. HDB then issues Approval and schedules the completion date.

    Approval: 2–3 weeks after application accepted.

  7. Stage 7 — Legal Completion

    Both parties attend HDB Hub for the Completion appointment. Seller hands over keys, buyer pays balance purchase price (via cashier's order or CPF deduction + bank loan), legal title transfers. Buyer's MOP clock starts.

Stamp duty payable on resale HDB

HDB resale attracts the full BSD (Buyer's Stamp Duty) — same tiered schedule as private residential. ABSD applies if the buyer is an SPR (5%), foreigner (60% — but foreigners cannot buy HDB anyway), or an SC buying a 2nd or 3rd+ residential property.

🧮 Compute on the BSD calculator or Total Stamp Duty calculator.

Typical costs at a glance

Cost itemBuyerSeller
BSD (Buyer's Stamp Duty)Tiered, paid—
ABSD (if applicable)Per profile—
HDB Value Reference$120—
Resale Application Fee~$80–$120~$80–$120
HDB Conveyancing Fee~$1,500~$1,500
Agent Commission0–1% (negotiable)1–2% (typical)
Survey Fee (only if requested)——

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

How long does an HDB resale transaction take in Singapore?▾

Typical timeline from OTP exercise to legal completion is 8 to 12 weeks. Adding house-hunting and HFE letter application beforehand, the full journey from intent to keys is commonly 3 to 6 months. The HDB Resale Portal automates much of the paperwork and has tightened the timeline.

What is the OTP process for HDB resale?▾

The seller grants the buyer an Option to Purchase by signing the OTP. The buyer pays a deposit of up to $1,000 to receive the option, and has a 21-day option period to exercise. If exercised, the buyer pays a further deposit (up to $5,000 in total counting the $1,000) and the OTP becomes binding. Buyer must have a valid HFE letter before signing.

Who arranges the HDB valuation?▾

The buyer requests the HDB Value Reference, which HDB derives from a licensed valuer's report. The fee is currently $120 (subject to change). The Value Reference determines the maximum CPF and HDB loan that can be used — if the agreed price is above the Value Reference, the buyer must pay the difference in cash (Cash Over Valuation, COV).

What costs are involved in an HDB resale?▾

Buyer pays: Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD, tiered), legal fees (~$1,500 with HDB), HDB Value Reference fee ($120), resale application fee ($80–$120). Seller pays: legal fees (~$1,500 with HDB), agent commission (typically 1%–2% of price, negotiable). Both pay their own conveyancing — usually HDB itself acts for both for resale.

Can I back out after signing the OTP?▾

Within the 21-day option period, the buyer can simply not exercise — but forfeits the option deposit (up to $1,000). After exercise, both parties are bound. Defaulting after exercise forfeits the deposit (and the seller can claim damages). Walking away after the resale application has been submitted to HDB is rare and very costly.

Source: HDB — Buying a Resale Flat ↗