{"id":19175,"date":"2018-08-10T10:18:49","date_gmt":"2018-08-10T02:18:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/blog\/singapore\/?p=19175"},"modified":"2022-07-01T04:58:06","modified_gmt":"2022-06-30T20:58:06","slug":"divorcees-hdb-singapore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/singapore\/insider\/divorcees-hdb-singapore\/","title":{"rendered":"How HDB punishes divorcees in Singapore"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Over the years, the Housing & Development Board (HDB) has been relaxing the rules against divorcees buying flats. Actually, the intention for these rules isn\u2019t really to \u201cpunish\u201d them at all. Rather, HDB’s intent is to stop the occasional schemer from gaming the system (there are some people who get divorced on paper<\/a>, just so they can get a second flat). Still, there are definitely more drawbacks and disadvantages for divorcees, as opposed young families or single buyers, when it comes to public housing in Singapore.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

How the situation has changed for divorcees lately<\/b><\/h3>\n

There was a shock announcement in March this year, when HDB removed <\/span>the debarment period<\/span><\/a> for divorcees buying a flat. Previously, divorced couples could only have one subsidised flat between them. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

By default, the spouse with full custody of children (below the age of 18) was the one who could apply for a subsidised flat, while the other had to wait three years (unless they agreed to let their former spouse apply for the flat instead). <\/span><\/p>\n

For example, if you got divorced and your spouse was granted custody of your children, your spouse would be able to apply for a subsidised flat. You, however, would have to find some way to survive without one for the next three years.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now however, divorcees can go ahead and apply for a flat so long as you meet the usual, other criteria. But there are still some ways in which a divorcee could be disadvantaged:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. \n

    You could be too poor to buy, but to rich to rent as well<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Even if you can legally apply for a flat, not everyone comes out of their divorce financially intact. For example, there are cases where divorce happens due to problem gambling, and by the time the couple are separated both have been financially drained.<\/span><\/p>\n

    So in these cases, you can apply for a rental flat till you\u2019re back on your feet, right?<\/span><\/p>\n

    Here\u2019s the problem: Rental flats have an income ceiling of $1,500 per month.<\/strong> So if your income is, say, $2,500 and you have two children to look after, you\u2019re in a jam: your budget\u2019s too tight to consider buying a new flat, but you make too much to get a rental flat as well. Plus, r<\/span>enting in the open market is almost certain to be unaffordable, at that income level and with children to raise.<\/span><\/p>\n

    So if you’re a divorcee in this predicament, you’d better hope your parents or relatives are willing to take you in. And it\u2019s going to get crowded, with your children tagging along. Besides this, you need to consider\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \n

      The 30-month restriction on renting from HDB<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Divorcees who used to own an HDB flat cannot rent from HDB, for 30 months after the sale of their flat. Two and a half years is a <\/span>long <\/span><\/i>time to wait just to rent a flat (and see point 1 for further troubles about that).<\/span><\/p>\n

      Also, bear in mind that divorcees and their affected children are going through a tough time. Compelling them to live with family, who aren\u2019t always sympathetic to the divorcee, could be fuel for some major emotional trauma. <\/span><\/p>\n

      All this being said, we have to point out that HDB does try to be flexible about the rental rules.<\/b><\/p>\n

      HDB <\/span>has <\/span><\/i>made exceptions to the rules, on a case-by-case basis. It\u2019s not impossible that a divorcee with children may be able to rent despite busting the income ceiling, or right after the sale of the flat \u2014 but exceptions are up to HDB, and it\u2019s not written into the official rules.<\/span><\/p>\n

      \"Divorcees
      Divorcees and their children in Singapore are usually in a fix because of HDB rules.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

       <\/p>\n

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      1. \n

        Even if the flat was NOT a matrimonial asset, you may not be able to retain it<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Let\u2019s say you\u2019ve gotten divorced in your early 30s, and there\u2019s no child from the marriage. Let\u2019s also assume flat isn\u2019t sold off during the divorce, because it\u2019s not a matrimonial asset (e.g. it was a gift to you from a family member). <\/span><\/p>\n

        Even though the flat is yours in every conceivable way, you have to dispose of it unless you meet one of three conditions:<\/strong><\/p>\n