We’ve written previously on the pros and cons of buying an Executive Condominium (EC), and concluded that if you’re a Singaporean who is eligible to purchase an EC, they should definitely be on the top of your priority list before looking at other private properties.
For EC Government Land Sales sites with tender closing dates on or after 8 May 2026, buyers will face stricter ownership conditions. The Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) will be extended from 5 years to 10 years, while ECs will only become fully privatised after 15 years, instead of 10 years. The Deferred Payment Scheme (DPS) will also no longer be offered.
At the same time, more units will be set aside for first-time home buyers. The first-timer quota will be increased from 70% to 90%, and the priority period for first-timers will be extended from 1 month to 2 years.
These changes mean new EC buyers should plan for a much longer holding period. Buyers will need to fulfil the 10-year MOP before they can sell the unit, rent out the whole unit, or buy another residential property. After the 10-year MOP, the EC can be sold to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. It can only be sold to any buyer, including foreigners, after 15 years.
If you do decide to buy an EC – and enjoy government grants and typically lower selling prices – here is your step-by-step guide.
Read Also: Pros And Cons Of Buying A HDB Executive Condominium (Over A Regular Private Condo)
#1 Are You Eligible To Purchase An Executive Condominium?
Like buying an HDB flat, there are specific eligibility conditions for buying an Executive Condominium.
– You have to purchase an EC under one of these HDB schemes: Public Scheme, Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme, Orphans Scheme or Joint Singles Scheme.
– The main applicant must be a Singapore Citizen of age 21 and above, while the co-applicant must be either a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident. If applying under the Joint Singles Scheme, both applicants must be Singapore Citizens above the age of 35. Applicants under the Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme need to be above the age of 18 and have written consent from their parents/legal guardians.
– Must not exceed the household income ceiling of $16,000.
– You must not currently own any private residential properties (locally or overseas) or have disposed of them within the past 30 months.
– None of the applicants or occupiers listed in the EC application should collectively own or have an interest in more than 1 non-residential property (locally or overseas) within the last 30 months prior to application.
– Both applicants must also have only purchased up to one HDB, DBSS (Design, Build and Sell Scheme) or EC in the past.
If you don’t meet these requirements, then you’re left with HDB resale flats, regular private condominiums or landed private properties.
Read Also: [BTO Guide] Eligibility Criteria For Buying A HDB In Singapore
#2 Work Out Financing Your Executive Condominium Purchase
Before you start shopping for an EC, you need to know the maximum price you can realistically afford. EC buyers cannot take an HDB loan and must use a bank loan instead.
For ECs affected by the new rules from 8 May 2026, buyers cannot rely on the Deferred Payment Scheme either. This means they will have to use the Normal Payment Scheme, where progressive payments are made as construction milestones are completed. This is especially important for HDB upgraders, who may still be servicing their existing HDB loan while making payments for the new EC.
The usual financing limits still apply. Your monthly mortgage repayment must meet the Mortgage Servicing Ratio (MSR) limit of 30% of gross monthly income, while your total monthly debt obligations must meet the Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) limit of 55%. New EC buyers must satisfy both MSR and TDSR requirements.
Since you will not be eligible to apply for an HDB loan to buy your EC, you’ll need to approach a bank for a loan. Instead of taking a stab in the dark with the bank or loan package, make an informed decision using the services provided by our friends over at RedBrick and Cashew.
If you prefer a DIY approach, Cashew offers a user-friendly platform to compare packages from various banks based on your loan inputs. Additionally, Cashew’s advisors would also assist you in applying for the preferred loan package, all from the comfort of your home.
Alternatively, RedBrick offers a more personalised experience, with its professional mortgage brokers sharing insights into the finer nuances of each loan package during a free, non-obligatory consultation. Check out our home loan guide for more information.
MAS Limits: The Monetary Authority of Singapore has limits put in place to prevent homeowners from being over-leveraged and unable to service their home loans.
The Mortgage Servicing Ratio (MSR) states that your monthly mortgage repayment cannot exceed 30% of your combined monthly income, while the Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) states that your combined monthly loan repayments (including personal loans, car loans, education) cannot exceed 55% of your combined monthly income.
When buying a newly launched EC, you must meet both the MSR and TDSR requirements; by contrast, for resale ECs, only the TDSR requirement applies.
Additional Costs: Beyond the purchase price, you need to pay legal fees of about $2,000-$3,000 and valuation fees of about $200-$500 for a new EC. There is also Buyer Stamp Duty, which is 3% of the purchase price if the purchase price is under $1 million, or between 4% and 6% if the purchase price is above $1 million.
Read Also: How Much Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) And ABSD Singaporeans, PRs And Foreigners Need To Pay – And When
#3 Shortlist Upcoming HDB Executive Condominium (EC) Sales Launches
Now that you know you’re eligible to purchase an EC and know the price range that you can afford, it’s time to keep a lookout for current and new EC projects, as well as resale ECs to shortlist.
When shortlisting EC projects, buyers should now check whether the project falls under the old or new EC rules.
This depends on the Government Land Sales tender closing date for the EC site. For sites with tender closing dates on or after 8 May 2026, the new rules apply. This includes the 10-year MOP, the 15-year full privatisation timeline, the removal of the Deferred Payment Scheme, and higher priority for first-timers.
For first-time buyers, the changes may improve your chances of securing a unit, since 90% of units will be set aside for first-timers during the priority period. For second-timers and HDB upgraders, however, competition may become tougher, and financing may require more careful planning without DPS.
Here’s a quick list of the current and upcoming EC launches:
| Development | Developer | Est Launch Period |
| Coastal Canbana EC @ Jalan Loyang Besar | CNQC, Forsea, ZACD | 4Q25 |
| Rivelle Tampines EC @ Tampines St 95 | Sim Lian | 1Q26 |
| Senja Close EC @ Senja Close | TBC | 4Q26 |
| Sembawang Road EC @ Miltonia Close EC | TBC | 4Q26 |
| Woodlands Dr 17 EC (Plot 2) @ Woodlands Dr 17 | TBC | 1Q27 |
Alternatively, you can also check announcements from developers for new EC launches in the newspapers, on social media, or on their websites. If you know there are no upcoming EC launches in your desired locations, you can focus on other options, such as resale ECs and private condominiums.
While you can usually pop by showrooms to learn more about new EC projects, some developments require you to make an appointment online before visiting.
If you think there’s a chance you want to book a unit, check with the developer what documents they require, such as your NRIC, proof of relationship to the co-applicant, and proof of income.
Read Also: 5 Things You Should Do After Visiting A Showflat, Before You Sign The Purchase Agreement
#4 Secure Option-To-Purchase, Followed By Your Downpayment
Once you’ve selected your EC unit, you’ll need to secure it with an Option to Purchase (OTP). This is a legal document that gives you the exclusive right to buy the unit within a stipulated period, during which the developer cannot sell it to another buyer.
To obtain the OTP, you’ll need to pay a booking fee of 5% of the purchase price in cash. CPF funds and housing grants cannot be used for this initial payment.
After HDB approves your EC application — typically within about a month — the developer will issue the Sale and Purchase (S&P) Agreement. Buyers usually have 3 weeks from the date of receiving the S&P Agreement to exercise the OTP by signing and returning the documents.
Once you exercise the OTP, you’ll need to complete the remaining downpayment. For buyers taking a bank loan, the total down payment is typically 25% of the purchase price, with at least 5% paid in cash and the remaining amount paid using CPF savings and/or cash. Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD), legal fees, and other administrative costs will also need to be paid separately.
For EC projects launched under the new rules announced on 8 May 2026, buyers will no longer be eligible for the Deferred Payment Scheme (DPS). This means buyers must follow the Normal Payment Scheme, under which payments are made progressively throughout the construction period. As a result, buyers should ensure they have sufficient cash flow to manage both their existing housing commitments and the progressive payments for the new EC.
Read Also: Guide To Grants & Subsidies For Middle-Income Households In Singapore
#5 Post-Purchase Requirements
The remaining 75% of your EC’s cost can be paid using your CPF monies, bank loan or cash.
After buying an EC, owners must fulfil the applicable Minimum Occupation Period before they can sell the unit, rent out the whole unit, or purchase another residential property.
For EC projects under the previous rules, the MOP is 5 years, and the EC becomes fully privatised after 10 years.
For EC projects under the new rules from 8 May 2026, the MOP is 10 years, and the EC becomes fully privatised only after 15 years. This makes new ECs less suitable for buyers who are mainly looking for a shorter-term property investment or who expect to upgrade again quickly.
For genuine owner-occupiers, ECs can still be an attractive option: they offer condo-style facilities, may come with CPF Housing Grants for eligible first-timer households, and are typically priced below comparable new private condos. However, buyers should now treat an EC as a long-term home, not just a stepping stone to private property.
Once you collect your keys, you can commence renovations (if needed) and move in any time you wish. Congratulations on your new home. Enjoy!
Read Also: Complete Guide To Upgrading From Your HDB Flat To A Private Condominium In Singapore
