Written answer by Ministry of National Development on proposal for early exit from HDB Minimum Occupation Period requirement with appropriate safeguards

Question No.: 3023

Question by: Mr Shawn Loh

To ask the Minister for National Development whether HDB has considered introducing a more graduated Minimum Occupation Period, under which households facing genuine changes in housing needs could exit earlier subject to appropriate safeguards, such as a proportionate clawback of housing subsidies or a graduated exit tax, rather than relying on case-by-case appeals.

Answer:

The Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) for HDB flats is in place to prioritise our limited supply of public housing for households with genuine housing needs.

As household circumstances vary, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) assesses all appeals for MOP waivers holistically on a case-by-case basis, and exercises flexibility where there are genuine needs.