Oral Answer by Ministry of National Development on the number of HDB flats sold under the Open Booking Scheme

Mar 2, 2021

Mr Gan Thiam Poh: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) how many HDB flats have been sold under the open booking scheme since it was launched in June 2019, broken down by room types; and (b) whether HDB will consider (i) injecting fresh supplies of flats more frequently and (ii) increasing the number of flats available under open booking for interested buyers.

Answer

HDB launched the open booking of flats in June 2019. This allows home seekers to apply for a flat online, and get their flat selection appointment on a first-come-first-served basis, which can be as early as the next working day.

As of 22 Feb 2021, a total of 1,521 flats, comprising 46 2-room Flexi flats, 273 3-room flats, 601 4-room flats, 597 5-room/ 3Generation flats, and 4 Executive flats, have been booked under the open booking system. 

At present, HDB suspends open booking twice a year to inject a fresh supply of flats. The majority of flats offered under the open booking come from the pool of flats that remain unselected after the twice-yearly Sale of Balance Flats exercises. 

HDB has been exploring ways to offer more flats through open booking. For example, since February 2020, HDB has ceased the Re-Offer of Balance Flats exercises, so that more of the unselected flats from the Sale of Balance Flats exercises can be offered directly for open booking. HDB will continue to refine its sales processes to better meet the needs of home seekers.