Balloting for BTO can feel like buying a lottery ticket. You heng, you get, if not have to keep trying again. BTO flats are high in demand, so they are usually oversubscribed which is why many families don’t get their BTO queue number on their first try.
New launch this February
HDB has announced there will be about 4,410 units for the February 2023 BTO launch in Kallang/ Whampoa, Queenstown, Jurong West and Tengah.
How your ballot chances work
If you are a first-timer, you will get twice the ballot chances as compared to second-timers. If your application is unsuccessful after your first try, in the second and subsequent tries, you will have an additional chance.
For illustration, being a first-timer applying for non-mature estates, you will have 2 chances. If unsuccessful, on the second attempt, you will get 3 chances. If still unsuccessful, on the third attempt, you will get 4 chances. But bear in mind, all applications should also be for non-mature estates.
Hacks to strategically increase your ballot chances
- Apply for the non-mature estates – as stated above, if you are a first-time applicant, you will get more chances by applying for non-mature estates.
- Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS) and Multi-Generation Priority Scheme (MGPS) – Basically, both schemes encourage couples to stay near their ageing parents. MCPS offer up to 30% of BTO units for first-timers who apply for a project within 4 km of their parent’s home or if they choose to live together.MGPS applies when both you and your parents are looking to get a new flat within the same estate. This works like a joint application; both parents and married child will get to choose flats on the same floor or elsewhere within the BTO project. This scheme is only possible if the BTO project offers 2-room Flexi or 3-room flats.
- Parent Priority Scheme (PPS) – This is one of those times when having children presents its privileges. This scheme applies to first-time applicants with Singaporean children aged 18 years and below or who have a baby on the way. Up to 30% of BTO units are allocated to applicants who fall under this profile.
- Third Child Priority Scheme (TCPS) – To qualify for this scheme, couples must have at least three children and their third child have to be either a Singapore Citizen or a Singapore Permanent resident. Up to 5% of BTO flats are allocated for applications under this scheme.
- Tenants’ Priority Scheme (TPS) – This applies only to those who have lived in an HDB public rental flat for at least 2 years. Up to 10% of 2-room Flexi and 3-room BTO units are allocated for this scheme. Do take note that this scheme will not apply to applications for 4-room flats or bigger.
Given the above schemes, the best-case scenario for a first-time applicant to maximize their balloting chances would be to (1) apply for a BTO project in a non-mature estate that is (2) within 4 km of their parent’s home (3) as they are expecting a child and their parents can render some support when their child is born.
HDB’s plan not bad right? The schemes cater to our needs as we progress through the different stages of life. So take advantage of these priority schemes that were designed to make housing accessible to those who meet the eligibility conditions.
To find out more about the various schemes in detail or to learn about the other schemes, click here.
