Eager to sell your HDB flat but still have a couple of months left until your Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) is over? We understand how unpredictable life can be at times. You may find it an urgent matter to move closer to your parents or perhaps find a home that's more accessible to your workplace.

But maybe you're confused about the HDB's rules on the Minimum Occupation Period, like the various MOP durations or how to calculate your MOP date. This article will cover it all, explaining the HDB MOP for all flats - from BTO and SBF to resale flats, and even the special cases when you can sell your flat before the MOP is fulfilled.

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What Is The HDB MOP?

The Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) is a condition that requires HDB flat owners to physically occupy their flats for a certain period before they are eligible to sell or rent out the entire unit.

This rule is in place to discourage the buying and selling of HDB flats for profit and to ensure that flats are primarily used as homes. Different types of HDB flats have different MOP durations, as explained below:

Mode of Purchase	Minimum Occupancy Period
Flat purchased from HDB	Unclassified*/ Standard flats: 5 years Plus and Prime flats**: 10 years
Flat purchased under the Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) from property developer	5 years
Flat purchased under the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS)	For SERS sites announced before 7 April 2022: If you had purchased a flat at the designated replacement site, you may sell the replacement flat only after meeting one of the following MOPs, whichever is earlier:7 years from the date of selection of the replacement flat5 years from the date of collecting the keysIf you had purchased a flat elsewhere with portable rehousing benefits, you may sell the replacement flat only after 5 years from the date of collecting the keys. For SERS sites announced on or after 7 April 2022: You may sell the replacement flat only after 5 years from the date of collecting the keys. You may need to pay the Seller's Stamp Duty (SSD) if you sell your replacement flat within a certain holding period.
Resale flat bought on the open market	Unclassified*/ Standard flats: 5 years Plus and Prime flats**: 10 years
Flat bought under the Fresh Start Housing Scheme	20 years

* Unclassified flats refer to flats sold before the October 2024 sales exercise and not classified as Standard, Plus or Prime.

** Prime flats include Prime Location Public Housing (PLH) flats sold before the October 2024 sales exercise.

If you're confused about how to calculate your MOP, you can always use the My HDBPage portal to check if you have met the MOP to sell your flat. All you'll have to do is log in, go to My Flat > Purchased Flat > Flat Details and Minimum Occupation Period (MOP).

5 Years MOP for Resale HDB flats

Typically, homeowners must occupy the flat for at least 5 years before applying for the Request for Confirmation of Eligibility to Sell Your HDB Flat and putting it up on the market.

Exceptions to the 5-year HDB MOP

1. Have you bought your flat under the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS)? The 5-year MOP wouldn't apply to you as flats under SERS can have a longer MOP of 7 years that's effective from the flat selection date.
2. Have you bought your house without a grant? If you've got a 1-room flat, there's no MOP. Isn't that good news?
3. If you have a 2-room flat or bigger, your waiting time is shorter, only 3 years (if your HDB flat application date was between 30 August 2010 and beyond).

While the odds will vary depending on your circumstances, here's a tip that may bolster your chances of selling your home before the MOP: seek approval from HDB through the appeal process.

10 years MOP: Prime Location Public Housing (PLH) model

Under the Prime Location Public Housing (PLH) model, BTO flats located in prime locations such as Rochor (in the Central area) will have an MOP of at least 10 years before they can be sold on the open market. Read this article for more information on how the PLH model may affect you as a seller and/or buyer.

Can I Sell My HDB Flat Before the MOP is Over?

One of the most common questions HDB flat owners ask is, "Can I sell my new or resale HDB flat before the 5-year Minimum Occupation Period is up?" Unfortunately, the answer is generally no unless you qualify under special circumstances, such as:

• Divorce
• Bankruptcy
• Owner's passing
• With approval from HDB (case-by-case basis)

If you attempt to sell your HDB flat before the MOP date without meeting the exemption criteria, your sale will be rejected by HDB. You may also face possible penalties or forced buyback.

So, what if you can't resell because your MOP is not over, but you also can't live on the property anymore? Here are some options:

• Appeal to HDB: You can try appealing to HDB with valid reasons, but approval is not guaranteed and depends on your individual circumstances.
• Rent out spare rooms: If allowed, you can rent out spare rooms to generate income while waiting for the MOP to be fulfilled.
• Rent another property: This is the most expensive option, but it allows you to move out while retaining ownership of the HDB flat until the MOP is completed.

Can I Rent Out My HDB Room Before the MOP is Fulfilled?

Yes, you can rent out individual rooms in your HDB flat before the Minimum Occupation Period is fulfilled, but you cannot rent out the entire flat. There are also additional conditions you must meet:

• The owner must continue living in the flat.
• Minimum rental period: 6 months per tenant.
• Maximum rental period: 3 years per application. (If one or more of your tenants is/are a non-Malaysian NC, the maximum period is 2 years.)

You must also register your intent to rent with HDB. This is done at My HDBPage (log in using your Singpass and go to: My Flat > Purchased Flat > Renting Out) via Commencement of renting out bedrooms e-Service. You will need to provide your tenants' particulars and other related details during this registration process.

It's very important to know the maximum number of tenants allowed per flat type to avoid overcrowding and ensure safety. For room renting cases, the total number of occupiers includes the flat owner, authorised occupiers, and tenants.

Flat Type	Total Number of Occupants
1-Room	4
2-Room	4
3-Room	6
4-Room	6
5-Room	6
Executive	6

What happens if you rent out the entire flat before MOP? If you're caught, you could face a range of penalties. These can include financial penalties, like hefty fines, or even more severe consequences, like being forced to surrender your flat back to HDB. This means you could lose your home and any investment you've made in it.

How is MOP Calculated?

If you're wondering "When can I sell my BTO or resale HDB flat?", MOP calculation starts from the date of key collection. The MOP pauses if the flat is left unoccupied or rented out entirely (except for exceptions with HDB's approval, like overseas posting.

Inherited flats also have an MOP, and the beneficiaries who inherit these flats must occupy them for the minimum period. This period starts either from the date the deceased owner acquired the flat or from the date of inheritance, whichever comes later.

If you're buying a resale flat from someone who hasn't finished their MOP, you don't need to worry. If they're allowed to sell their flat legally, it means they've received HDB approval. Your own MOP will be 5 years from the date you complete your purchase of the resale flat.

Frequently Asked Questions About HDB MOP Dates

What happens after MOP? Can you sell or rent your flat immediately?

Yes, once you've fulfilled your MOP, you have the freedom to sell your flat on the open market. This means you can begin the process of finding a buyer and moving forward with your property plans.

Before you jump into listing your flat, it's wise to check the current market conditions to get a valuation of your HDB flat. You'll also want to understand how your CPF refunds and any accrued interest will factor into the sale. Lastly, don't forget about paying off any outstanding mortgage loan on the property!

Can you rent out the whole flat after MOP?

Yes, you can! After completing the Minimum Occupation Period, you are generally allowed to rent out your entire HDB flat. However, there's one exception: Prime Location Public Housing (PLH) flats. These flats come with specific rental restrictions, so if you own a PLH flat, you'll need to check those rules before proceeding with any rental plans.

What if I get married and want to move before my MOP is up?

If you bought your HDB flat under the Singles Scheme, getting married doesn't change the Minimum Occupation Period. You'll still need to complete the full MOP before you can sell the flat.

In this situation, you have a few options: you can continue living in the flat until the MOP is over, rent out rooms if you're eligible to do so, or appeal to HDB for special consideration if you have extenuating circumstances like severe financial hardship.

If you bought a BTO flat jointly with your spouse, the same applies - you'll need to fulfill the entire MOP before selling.

Can I sell my HDB flat to a relative before MOP?

Generally, selling or transferring ownership to a relative before the Minimum Occupation Period is up isn't allowed. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. HDB may allow it in specific cases like divorce or separation, where one spouse might be allowed to take over the flat.

If an owner passes away, transfer to eligible family members may be permitted, but HDB also considers these special approvals on a case-by-case basis. Even if you get approval, remember that there could be implications for your CPF and stamp duty.

What happens if I violate MOP rules?

Violating the Minimum Occupation Period can have serious consequences. HDB may force you to sell the flat back to them, and you could face fines or even legal action, depending on the situation. In some cases, you might even be barred from buying another HDB flat or receiving housing grants in the future. So, it's really important to stick to the MOP rules.

Can I appeal to HDB for an exception to MOP?

Yes, you can appeal, but HDB usually only grants exceptions if you have a very strong reason. These reasons might include divorce or annulment, where one party needs to take ownership of the flat; financial hardship, such as bankruptcy or repossession by banks; or medical reasons that require you to relocate.

To appeal, you'll need to submit a request through HDB's e-Services and provide supporting documents, like medical reports or financial statements, to back up your case.

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Source: HDB

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