Over 70 BTO projects in next 5 years to come with 2-room Flexi flats

UNVEILING details of the new 2-room Flexi scheme on Wednesday, the Housing & Development Board (HDB) said it will be launching more than 70 build-to-order (BTO) projects with 2-room Flexi flats in the next five years.

These projects will span across Singapore to offer choice of locations. At least 40 per cent - subject to a minimum of 100 units - of the 2-room Flexi flats in a BTO project will be made available to the elderly, HDB said.

The final design of the new scheme has incorporated feedback and suggestions from an extensive public consultation held over the past few months.

The scheme, which will kick in from the launch of BTO flats in Bidadari and Punggol in September, marries the studio apartment and the two-room flat schemes.

The current studio apartments of 30-year leases are meant for elderly home owners aged at least 55 who have sold a previous flat to fund their retirement. Two-room flats come with a 99-year lease and are meant for families or singles. Both flat types come in 36-square-metre or 45-square-metre sizes, but studio apartments are cheaper owing to their shorter leases and are not allowed to be sold on the open market.

Merging the two flat types into one scheme, the two-room Flexi scheme allows flexibility in three areas - type of buyers, length of lease and extent of fittings.

First-timer and second-timer families and first-timer singles will continue to be offered 99-year two-room Flexi flats.

In addition, elderly citizens aged 55 and above can choose to buy a two-room Flexi flat on a short lease regardless of whether they have enjoyed housing subsidies previously or own a private residential property. But buyers applying for such flats must dispose of their private property within six months after collection of keys to the two-room Flexi flat.

The scheme will have lease options ranging from 15 to 45 years for the elderly. Subletting and resale is not allowed for these flats with such short leases.

Pricing of the two-room Flexi flats takes into account the lease tenure, and whether buyers are first-timers, second-timers or others.

Those who buy two-room Flexi flats on 99-year leases will continue to have the option of flooring and sanitary fittings under the Optional Component Scheme. Buyers of short-lease flats have a package option that provides move-in condition.