Divorcees with full custody of all their children will no longer be
barred for five years from buying a second subsidised flat from the HDB.
Khaw Boon Wan (pictured), Singapore’s Minister for National Development, also revealed that
divorcees are no longer required to obtain prior consent from their
ex-spouses to surrender their right to a subsidised flat.
However, an ex-spouse with no children is still subject to the five-year debarment period, he said.
Mr Khaw made the announcement in reply to a question from Lee Bee
Wah, MP of Nee Soon GRC, who asked if the HDB will consider reviewing
regulations that are obsolete, like requiring divorcees to submit a
letter of prior consent from their ex-spouse.
He noted that this rule was put in place to prevent couples from gaming the system.
He explained that there were cases where couples filed for divorce and
split custody of the children in order for them to qualify for two
subsidised flats.
“It was (an) abuse. They were never seriously divorced. They just wanted
to take advantage of these two subsidised flats, and they remained
married. This was an old case that prompted this policy,” he said.
Hence, the government implemented a rule that allowed only one divorcee
to buy a subsidised flat within the five-year period, on condition that
the other spouse gives up his or her right to do so. However, many MPs
noted that it was not easy to get the consent of the ex-spouse.
Mr Khaw added that the HDB will also review if the five-year debarment period is too long.
Related Stories:
Khaw insists that an income earner paid S$1,000 can own a flat
Second-timers given more chances to acquire ECs
Toh Yi residents propose new site for elderly studios