Is it possible for an LGBTQ+ couple to buy an Executive Condo (EC)?

In my years of helping LGBTQ+ clients with their home selection in Singapore, most of them would opt for HDB flat either from the BTO scheme, or the resale market. And for the financially better off individuals, they have the additional choice of private properties like condominiums, apartments or even landed housing.

However, there is one property class that is often missed out on by the LGBTQ+ community – the Executive Condo (EC). In this article, I will look at the option of EC and how it can be a viable option for different groups of  LGBTQ+ in Singapore.

What is an EC?

Commonly known as the ‘sandwich flat’, EC was introduced in 1996 as a special home class to cater to the needs of the middle-income home buyers; especially young graduates and professionals who can afford more than an HDB flat but find private property to be out of their reach. Essentially it is a hybrid form of private-public housing, as it is first sold via HDB as public housing but is automatically privatised after a 10-year period. Other than the title difference, a typical EC resembles a typical private condo and offer the same amenities, including swimming pools, gyms, clubhouses, tennis courts, etc. They are also managed by a management office with full guardhouse security.

However, buying a new EC has lots of pros and cons.

The Pros

• New ECs are generally priced 20-30% lower than private new launches so EC homeowners tend to enjoy a good upside potential when they decide to sell it off after its 5-year MOP period, or after 10 years when it is fully privatised.
• For eligible family units with household income below S$12,000, there is an HDB Housing Grant for EC of up to 30k to subsidise the property. (However, this grant is NOT available to those buying under the Joint Singles Scheme)
• HDB upgraders to ECs do not have to pay ABSD as it is mandatory for them to sell off their HDB upon TOP of the EC.
• HDB upgraders to ECs do not have to sell the current property first. They can continue to live in their flat while waiting for the construction of the ECs (4-5 years) and sell it later upon TOP.
• HDB upgraders to ECs can still get a 75% home loan even if they have an existing loan. This will allow them to secure the loan needed for the EC with no financial issues.

The Cons

• One of the main drawbacks of EC is the required 5-year MOP on top of 4-5 years of construction. This is a similar timeline to BTO flats purchased from HDB. What it means for buyers who apply for EC is that they will not be able to buy or sell another property for a good 9-10 years period.
• Because of the hybrid nature of ECs, they will only be fully privatised after the 10th year from TOP. So foreigners can only buy a fully privatised EC after 10 years. (Note: SPRs however are allowed to buy EC after 5 years)

Can an LGBTQ+ person buy a new EC from launch?

Unlike buying a private condo, buying an EC at launch from HDB comes with its own set of eligible criteria:

As seen in the table above, a single LGBTQ+ will not be able to qualify for a new EC. The only way is to apply under the Joint Singles Scheme. So for a Singaporean LGBTQ+ couple, they do have a chance to buy a brand new EC together under these conditions.

Joint Singles Scheme

You and up to 3 other co-applicants, and all of you are:

• Single (unmarried, divorced, or widowed)
•  Singapore Citizens
• At least 35 years old
• Applying jointly as co-applicants
• The CPF Housing Grant is NOT available when buying an EC under Joint Singles Scheme.

At first glance, the age restriction, 5-year MOP requirement and lack of housing grant for the “joint single” owners will make EC an unattractive option for LGBTQ+ couples. They could simply go into the private properties market to buy something without any of these restrictions.

However, private new launches and resale properties are becoming more expensive than ever. New ECs are generally priced 20-30% lower than the private condominium in the market. For an LGBTQ+ couple looking for an own-stay home with no plans to sell in the short term, getting an EC is a very good option if they are not bothered by its 5-year MOP and 10-year privatisation timeline. On top of that, they also stand a very good chance of capital appreciation over the years.

Another clear advantage of new ECs for LGBTQ+ couples is that they are not limited by the type of units, unlike the BTO where they are only allowed to buy a 2-room flex unit in a non-matured HDB estate.

For LGBTQ+ couples who own existing properties and are planning to transition to another private property, they are also NOT ABLE to enjoy ABSD remission (unlike married heterosexual couples who can). If they want to buy a private new launch together, they will need to first sell away their current property to avoid a 17% ABSD (on the 2nd new property) and rent a place for 3-4 years while waiting for the construction to complete. As a result of this, they are less likely to buy a new launch and be limited to resale private properties (check out my previous article on this subject).

On the other hand, buyers of ECs are exempted from ABSD and they do not have to sell away their HDB until the TOP of the EC, this is a huge advantage for LGBTQ+ homeowners who are trying to upgrade from an HDB to a brand new property.

Not Forgetting The Opportunities in Resale ECs

While we have looked at the various possibilities of buying a brand new EC, there are however many LGBTQ+ who are still left out of the equation. They are:

•  the Singaporeans below 35 years old
• the Singles (non-couple LGBTQ+)
• the Singapore Permanent Residents ( SPRs)
• the Foreigners

Here’s the good news! Consider buying something from the resale EC market. It has a lot more flexibility for these groups of people.

Two very important milestones for a typical EC is the 5-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) date, followed by its 10th-year mark.

Upon completion of the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) of 5 years, an EC is considered ‘semi-privatised’.

• The property can now be sold in the private resale market without going through HDB
• The property can now be sold to Singaporeans and SPRs (but ABSD still applies)
• There is no more need to meet the previous HDB family nucleus criteria
• There is no more 35-years-old age restriction for singles.
• There is also no income restriction.

The final turning point for the EC is after its 10th year, during which it will be ‘fully-privatised’ and sold as private property. The important change at the point is for foreigners to be able to buy the property in the open resale market.

All of the above possibilities by resale ECs have opened up many options for the LGBTQ+ community who are looking for an alternative to HDB housing but could not afford the expensive private properties. It is also a good way for LGBTQ+ members with HDB to afford hybrid housing before transitioning to the private segment if they want.

Finally, the resale EC option provides LGBTQ+ couples of mixed nationalities the opportunity to plan and co-invest in a home together in Singapore. This was impossible under the HDB policies with its strict eligible criteria on the family unit. For a fully privatised resale EC, Singaporeans, SPRs and foreigners can all mix and buy the properties together as co-owners. However, do note that the ABSD for SPR and foreigners still applies so it is crucial for all parties to structure the purchase carefully.

At the point of writing, gay marriage is not legalised in Singapore, so there are many details and points to consider when co-sharing financial assets and properties as an LGBTQ+ couple. As such, it is of paramount importance to consult an LGBTQ+ affirming professional(s) experienced in legal, financial planning and real estate when you embark on this exciting journey together. One such community group you can seek help from is Prident. They are a professional collective who advise the LGBTQ+ community on topics related to real estate, legal and better financial well being of the community.

About the Author

William Tan is a licensed realtor with a speciality in servicing the LGBTQ+ community. He is also the co-founder of Prident, a non-profit LGBTQ+ professional collective aimed at helping the community on economic wellbeing issues. William regularly writes and runs webinars to share his knowledge on property investment for LGBTQ+ and has been featured in EdgeProp Singapore, The Edge, Stacked Home, Esquire magazine and The Financial Coconut podcast. He has helped many LGBTQ+ clients with their property portfolio – market to sell, buy and rent properties. He also runs an online LGBTQ+ Clinic to answer private questions from the community.

Read more on PRIDENT here.

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