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A buyer must form a valid family nucleus under a recognised eligibility scheme

A worked RES examination question on buyer eligibility schemes, from our Paper 2 bank — with the rule it turns on, and why each of the four options is right or wrong.

Paper 2Lesson 6Buyer eligibility schemesFree — no sign-up

The question

A client's family structure does not match any of HDB's recognised eligibility schemes. He insists that, being a Singapore Citizen with more than sufficient income, he must surely be able to buy some HDB flat somehow. Which statement is correct?

  1. A. Any Singapore Citizen who has sufficient income may buy an HDB flat, even where no eligibility scheme fits him.
  2. B. If no eligibility scheme fits his household, he cannot buy an HDB flat, whatever his citizenship or income.
  3. C. He may buy a new Build-To-Order flat, though a resale flat on the open market would remain closed to him.
  4. D. He may buy under the Public Scheme by default, that scheme being open to every citizen without exception.

The answer, and why

Answer: B

The rule. A buyer must form a valid family nucleus under a recognised eligibility scheme. If no scheme fits, he cannot buy an HDB flat, whatever his citizenship or income.

Why B is correct. No qualifying scheme, no HDB flat — citizenship and income cannot substitute.

The other options.

  • A lets any well-off citizen buy regardless; a scheme must still fit.
  • C offers a BTO route with no scheme; a scheme is required for a new flat too.
  • D invents a default Public Scheme entitlement; the Public Scheme has its own nucleus conditions.

Exam note. No eligibility scheme = no HDB flat. Being a well-off citizen is not itself a route.

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