Useful FAQs for SkyPeakers!

Last update: 3pm 12th July.

I am in the midst of collating the common questions asked and will be providing the answers based on what I know. Please do leave a comment if you have a question to ask. I will add it on to the list :)

Kindly use Ctrl A Ctrl F when search for a question via keywords. I am still refining the script language to enable fast scrolling to questions from a list which I will put on the top.

I suppose all of us have applied for our BTO and have gotten our queue number, so I shan't focus on BTO application anymore.

What happens on the day of selection?

You proceed to the automated machine with your invitation letter and scan the barcode on the lower right hand side. A queue number will be generated, which will also be your queue number balloted. Then you seat at the waiting area to wait for your number to be called. You could walk around if you reached really early, and if the officer decides to call your number before your appointment time, and he does not get a response, he will try to contact you via mobile number. So dont worry too much about missing your queue number. And no, it is NOT by first come first serve basis, so dont bother to reach there really early to get ahead of queue numbers earlier than you. Officer mentioned that the earliest he will call your number in is about 5-10 mins before your appointment time. 

So, you go into the room, you will see a long aisle with cubicles and the numbers on the side. Go to your cubicle and you will see a friendly officer there. 

Firstly you will have to prove your eligibility to apply for your HDB flat. So, a few things to be submitted:

• Your I/C
• Completed HDB Application form with signatures
• Payslips as required
• CPF statements as required. 
• Other completed forms if you are under MCPS, TCPS or applying for AHG. More info available: http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10321p.nsf/w/BuyingNewFlatDocumentstoPrepareBring#RegistrationSelection

Please check through this link to bring the correct payslips and cpf statements.

http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10321p.nsf/w/BuyingNewFlatIncomeGuideline?OpenDocument

For commission based income, please read more at: Do I need to submit my bank statements if I have a commission based income. I personally am commission based, so I will share with you my experience.

Once he confirms your eligibility, there will be a couple of signatures involved and forms to look through. To be honest the process was very fast that  I would not remember which forms I signed exactly. 

But the main questions that you will have to take note of are two:

• Which unit will you like? 
• Will you want to take up the Optional Component Scheme?

You should have had the answers to the above questions before entering the room. Samples of the tiles and sanitary fittings are available at the hdb hub lobby and showflat. 

Just to clarify, kitchen and bathroom tiles and walls are NOT optional. Meaning, you have no choice but to accept it as it is. You only get to choose if you will like a) Doors + Sanitary Fittings b) Living Room and Bedroom Tiles. And no, you cant just take the doors, but not the sanitary fittings; they come together. 

After you have provided the officer with your answers to this questions, he will print out a couple of forms, for you to verify and sign against. Do check through that the unit number and block number is what you have selected. 

He will then pass you a receipt for you to make payment for option fee. You will then have to proceed to level 3 to do payment for option fee. 4 rooms and above will have an option fee of SGD2000, while 3 rooms are SGD1000, 2 rooms are SGD 500. There will be an obvious payment queue when you reach level 3. So queue up and then make payment via nets, cash, or cheque. 

Once you get your receipt, go back to the first room where your officer is, and he will pass you your option to pay, which will be required when you have want to apply for loans etc in the future. He will also pass you your floor plans. Two copies. Please keep them properly as the request for a new copy will cost you $5. My advice is to bring it home and scan it into soft copy and save it properly. 

He will also ask if you have intentions for HDB loan or Bank loan. He will help you apply for HDB loan (HLE) if you have not and will let you know which documents to be submitted. He will also pass you a contact person/ officer in charge of your loan so that you can contact him/her if you have future queries to your loans. 

If you have not decided, just take the HDB loan first. More on that later when addressing : 

1. When should I apply for my loans?
2. Should I take a bank loan or HDB loan?

Should you have forgotten to bring any forms/ documents, fret not. They will collate what is missing and let you know at the end of the appointment, and will pass you an envelope to contain the items when you get back home and send it back to them ( freepostage! ), or you can choose to submit it via their online portal under the HDB eservices tab. 

Yeah thats the end of it. Pretty straightforward and idiot proof procedure :) Good luck all on choosing your flat!

What happens on the day to book the flat?

I have not attended my second appointment to give a detailed description yet. This section will be updated accordingly :)

What if I am not around during Flat Selection?

If one party is not around, the other party can attend alone.

If both parties are not around, you can fill up the following authorization letter to be handed to someone to attend the selection on your behalf.
http://www.hdb.gov.sg/isoa072p.nsf/13e54556eccc2e7a482570610006eb1c/19c83a1b40410dc7482579c10035dc54/$FILE/Authorisation%20Form.pdf

That person must have a copy of your IC, your payslips, cpf forms etc. i.e. things that you will bring if you were there personally.

What if I am not around to sign the Agreement of Lease?

This one is a little bit more tricky. (content taken from HDB website directly)

If you are unable to attend the appointment to sign the Sales Agreement or collection of keys or both, you will have to prepare a Power of Attorney.

A Power of Attorney (PoA) is a legal document that allows a person ("donor") to appoint another person ("attorney") to act on his behalf and in his name on matters specified in the Power of Attorney.

When buying or selling an HDB flat, certain matters must be attended to at different stages of the process. For example, signing of documents, such as the:

• Option to Purchase 
• Agreement for Lease 
• Deed of Assignment 
• Lease-in-Escrow 
• Mortgage-in-Escrow, etc. 

The Power of Attorney (PoA) is required if you are unable to attend personally to these matters. You are advised to consult a private solicitor in Singapore to prepare the Power of Attorney (PoA).

Step 1: Preparing the PoA. You must get a solicitor to prepare the PoA.
Step 2: Signing the PoA. ThePoA has to be signed by you in the presence of your solicitor. If you are already overseas, you must sign the PoA in the presence of a: Notary Public, or Singapore High Commission, or Singapore Ambassador in the country of your stay
Step 3: Registering the PoA. After your PoA has been signed, your solicitor will register the PoA with the High Court Registry.
Step 4: Submitting Required Documents to HDB. Once the PoA has been registered, you have to submit any one of the following documents to us:

• Original PoA + 1 photocopy, or 
• Certified true copy from the High Court + 1 photocopy, or 
• 2 certified true copies of the PoA by an Advocate and Solicitor, or 
• Certified true copy by an Advocate and Solicitor together with the computer print out with the High Court seal. This is required in cases where PoA has been registered through the Electronic Filing System. 

Important Points to Note 

If you are going overseas, you are advised to obtain the PoA before leaving the country.

The Power of Attorney cannot be used for signing of any of the following as they must be signed personally by you:

• Application Form 
• Statutory Declarations (you must sign in presence of a Commissioner of Oaths or Notary Public) 
• Any undertakings 

If you have submitted an original PoA or a certified true copy of the PoA from the High Court to us, it will be returned to your solicitor. This is after the Lease & Mortgage document has been registered with the Singapore Land Authority However, certified true copies of the PoA by the solicitors will be retained by HDB.

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Other questions to be addressed:

1. When should I apply for my loans?
2. Should I take a bank loan or HDB loan?
3. What are the finances involved during the Flat Selection appointment?
4. What are the finances involved during the Booking of Flat appointment?
5. How long do we have to wait for our BTO to be completed?
6. Do I need to submit my bank statements for flat selection or HLE if I have a commission based income?

Answers will be uploaded soon. (Give me some time haha)

Disclaimer: All answers will be based on my knowledge and I will try to support it with information from HDB. Should you want to be 100% sure, please call HDB at 6490 1033 at office hours (9am to 5pm on weekdays only).