The Housing & Development Board (HDB) will introduce a new HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter starting from 9 May 2023

This letter will replace the current HDB Loan Eligibility (HLE) letter and will streamline the eligibility checks for flat purchase, CPF housing grants, and HDB housing loans into a single application. The HFE letter will provide flat buyers with a clear understanding of their eligibility and the respective grant and loan amounts upfront, simplifying the buying process.

1. Holistic Assessment: The HFE letter will offer a comprehensive evaluation of a buyer's eligibility for housing subsidies and loans, enabling them to make informed decisions about their housing budget and financing options.

2. Convenience: By integrating the eligibility assessments into one application, the flat buying process becomes more streamlined, saving time and effort for flat buyers.

3. Certainty: With the HFE letter, buyers will have certainty about their eligibility and financing options before applying for a flat or obtaining an Option to Purchase (OTP).

4. Enhancements to HDB Flat Portal: Several improvements will be rolled out along with the HFE letter, including an integrated loan application service with participating financial institutions, guided journey for new flat buyers, and integration of the HDB Resale Portal for seamless transactions.

Overall, the introduction of the HFE letter and enhancements to the HDB Flat Portal aim to provide a smoother and more transparent experience for flat buyers, helping them navigate the home-buying journey with greater confidence and ease.

Steps in Applying for the HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) Letter:

1. Preliminary HFE Check:

   • Log in to the HDB Flat Portal using Singpass.

   • Retrieve personal particulars from Myinfo and declare household income and ownership of private properties.

   • Based on the information provided, HDB will give an instant preliminary outcome of eligibility for flat purchase, CPF housing grants, and HDB housing loan.

   • Applicants with a firm intent to buy a flat can proceed to the next step.

2. Apply for the HFE Letter:

   • Log in to the HDB Flat Portal using Singpass.

   • Fill up the HFE letter application, including details of all applicants and occupiers (if applicable).

   • Upload the required supporting documents.

   • Submit the completed application.

   • HDB will process the application within 21 working days.

   • Applicants will receive the HFE letter, which includes eligibility for a new or resale flat purchase, CPF housing grants, and HDB housing loan amounts.

3. Validity of HFE Letter:

   • The HFE letter is valid for 6 months from the date of issue.

4. Use of HFE Letter:

   • The HFE letter must be presented when applying for a flat during a sales launch or open booking of flats from HDB or when obtaining an Option to Purchase (OTP) from a flat seller.

   • It is also required when submitting a resale application to HDB.

Additional Enhancements to HDB Flat Portal:

1. Integrated Loan Application Service with Participating Financial Institutions (FIs):

   • Flat buyers can request an In-Principle Approval (IPA) and Letter of Offer (LO) from participating FIs through the HDB Flat Portal, simplifying the loan application process.

2. Guided Journey for New Flat Buyers:

   • Buyers with an HFE letter intending to buy a flat from HDB will receive personalized information and guidance through the HDB Flat Portal at different stages of their purchase journey.

3. Integration of HDB Resale Portal with HDB Flat Portal:

   • Resale flat sellers and buyers will conduct transactions via the HDB Flat Portal, guided step-by-step for a seamless process.

Date of Implementation:

• The HFE letter and the new features on the HDB Flat Portal will be implemented on 9 May 2023.

By following these steps, flat buyers can benefit from a more convenient and transparent home-buying journey, making informed decisions about their housing and financing options.