Buying Guide
Buying an Executive Condominium (EC): Eligibility, Income Ceiling, Grants and Steps
An EC is sold by a private developer but subsidised and regulated like public housing at first, so you need to qualify, and there are conditions on what you can do with it afterwards. HDB sets the eligibility rules, the household income ceiling rose for newer projects, and the payment schedule is front-loaded compared with a BTO.
Who can apply
Your household must be one of these groups:
- You and your fiancé or fiancée
- You, your spouse and child(ren)
- You, your parents and siblings (if you are unmarried, widowed or divorced and buy with parents, at least one parent must be an SC or PR)
- You and child(ren) under your legal custody, care and control, if widowed or divorced (with the ex-spouse's written agreement if care is shared)
- Orphaned single siblings, with conditions, or two or more singles (all SCs, each aged at least 35)
| Condition | HDB's requirement |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | You must be an SC and include at least one other SC or PR. Two or more singles applying jointly must all be SCs |
| Age | At least 21 (35 if two or more singles apply together) |
| Income ceiling | Total income of everyone in the application must not exceed $18,000 for new units in EC projects whose tenders close on or after 24 August 2026. For sites with tenders awarded before that date it is $16,000 |
| Property | No ownership or interest in any local or overseas private residential property (completed or uncompleted), and not more than one non-residential property. HDB flat owners must dispose of the flat within 6 months of completing the EC purchase |
| Previous subsidies | If you or a core member took one housing subsidy you are a second-timer and pay the applicable resale levy. If you have taken two, you cannot apply or be a core occupier |
Wait-out periods apply in some cases: 1 year after cancelling an HDB flat booking, 5 years after terminating an EC purchase made with a CPF Housing Grant, and 30 months after disposing of an EC bought from a developer. Undischarged bankrupts need the Official Assignee's prior consent.
CPF Housing Grant for ECs
First-timer households can receive up to $30,000, which falls as income rises:
| Average monthly household income | SC/SC household | SC/PR household | First-timer and second-timer SC/SC couple |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 or lower | $30,000 | $20,000 | $15,000 |
| $10,001 to $11,000 | $20,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| $11,001 to $12,000 | $10,000 | Nil | $5,000 |
| $12,001 to $18,000 | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Table from HDB's CPF Housing Grant page for ECs. SC/PR households can apply for a $10,000 Citizen Top-Up when a family member becomes a citizen or they have an SC child, within 6 months of becoming eligible. The grant is credited to your CPF Ordinary Account and can offset the price or reduce the loan. It is refunded with accrued interest when you sell; see CPF accrued interest.
The buying process
- Launch. The developer announces the project and indicative prices. Check that you are eligible, can get a bank loan (HDB does not lend for developer ECs) and can pay the costs. No payment yet.
- Apply to the developer, who may use computer balloting or walk-in selection.
- Receive the outcome from the developer.
- Book a unit. You receive an Option to Purchase and pay an option fee of 5% of the price, which offsets the price.
- Sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement and pay the balance downpayment of 15% within the OTP timeframe, from CPF OA or cash. Grants form part of your CPF funds. HDB advises engaging a solicitor and checking CPF usage with the CPF Board. Legal fees and stamp duty can be paid by cash or CPF.
- Collect keys when the project is completed.
That means 20% of the price in downpayment, before the loan, compared with a smaller initial outlay for many HDB purchases. See the loan limit guide for how bank loans cap what you can borrow, and BSD for stamp duty.
Before you commit
- Read the rules after buying an EC, including the MOP, which is 10 years for projects whose land sales tender closed on or after 8 May 2026, and the resale levy.
- HDB notes that life in an EC differs from an HDB flat, and points buyers to BCA's guide on owning a condominium.
FAQ
What is the income ceiling for an EC?
$18,000 a month for new units in projects with tenders closing on or after 24 August 2026, and $16,000 for sites with tenders awarded before then, according to HDB.
Can a PR buy an EC?
The applicant must be a Singapore Citizen and include at least one other SC or PR. PR-only households are not eligible to buy a new EC from a developer.
Can I use an HDB loan for an EC?
No. HDB does not provide housing loans for EC units bought from developers.
How much downpayment does an EC need?
5% option fee on booking and 15% balance downpayment when you sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement, according to HDB's process page.
I own an HDB flat. Can I buy an EC?
Yes, but you must dispose of the flat within 6 months of completing the EC purchase, and you may owe a resale levy if you are a second-timer.
Related guides
- EC Rules After Buying: MOP, Renting, Selling
- EC Bridging Loan: When You Need One
- HDB Flat and EC: The 6-Month Disposal Deadline
Figures current as of October 2026, from HDB's EC pages. Eligibility, ceilings and grants are set by HDB and can change by project date; the developer's documents and HDB's current page govern your purchase. This guide is general information only and is not financial advice.
Working out whether an EC fits your income and cash? Use PropLeh's Maximum Loan Calculator, or message us on WhatsApp.