Buying or selling an HDB resale flat in Singapore involves a series of structured payments across different stages of the transaction. These include deposits, administrative fees, legal conveyancing costs, stamp duties, and CPF-related adjustments.
An HDB resale payment timeline refers to the sequence of when these payments must be made by buyers and sellers. Each payment is tied to a specific milestone set by the Housing & Development Board (HDB), making it essential to plan ahead to avoid delays or financial shortfalls.
This guide breaks down the full payment timeline, cost structure, and key financial considerations so you can complete your resale transaction with confidence.
Key takeaways
- HDB resale transactions involve staged payments across multiple milestones.
- The option fee and exercise fee form a deposit capped at S$5,000.
- Buyers incur most costs progressively, while sellers receive proceeds at completion.
- Major costs include Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD), valuation fees, legal fees, and CPF refunds.
- The process typically takes eight to 10 weeks after HDB accepts the application.
HDB resale payment timeline for sellers
The seller’s journey includes both incoming proceeds and outgoing costs, from listing the flat to final completion. While most proceeds are received at the end, sellers should prepare for interim obligations that arise during the process.
1. Register intent to sell
This is a mandatory step required before marketing your flat and confirms your eligibility to proceed with the sale.
- No payment required
2. Grant the Option to Purchase (OTP)
After agreeing on a price, the seller issues the OTP, giving the buyer exclusive rights to purchase within 21 days.
- Incoming: S$1–S$1,000 (option fee)
This compensates the seller for taking the flat off the market during the option period.
3. Buyer exercises the OTP
Once the buyer has confirmed their decision to proceed, they will formally exercise the Option to Purchase within the 21-day validity period.
- Incoming: S$1–S$4,000 (exercise fee)
The option fee and exercise fee together form the total deposit, capped at S$5,000 under HDB rules.
4. Submit the HDB resale application
Once the buyer and seller exercise the OTP, they must formally submit the resale application through the HDB portal to initiate the official transaction process.
Outgoing:
- S$40 (1–2 room flats)
- S$80 (3-room flats and larger)
This is a fixed administrative fee set by HDB.
5. Receive HDB acceptance
After about four weeks, HDB reviews and accepts the application. At this stage, sellers may need to prepare for legal and CPF-related adjustments.
- Possible outgoing: Legal conveyancing fees, CPF refund if required
6. HDB resale completion appointment
This is the final stage where ownership is transferred to the buyer.
- Incoming: Cash proceeds, CPF refunds
- Outgoing: Property tax, conservancy charges, mortgage discharge fees, legal fees, agent commission
Seller payment timeline
The table below summarises the key payment milestones for sellers, including when payments are received or required throughout the transaction.
| Timeline | Journey | Payment |
| Register intent to sell | List your property and start marketing, then arrange viewings and negotiate with interested buyers | No payment involved |
| Grant OTP to buyer | Buyer has 21 days to exercise | S$1–S$1,000 option fee |
| Within 21 days | Buyer exercises OTP | S$1–S$4,000 exercise fee |
| Submit resale application (within agreed number of days between seller and buyer) | Submit through HDB portal | S$40–S$80 HDB admin fee |
| ~4 weeks later | Receive acceptance & endorse documents | Conveyancing fees (based on HDB’s subsidised legal fee structure), CPF refund if required |
| Completion (~8 weeks later) | Resale completion appointment | Cash proceeds, CPF refund |
| Outstanding property tax (if any), Town council service and conservancy charges up to the completion date, Mortgage discharge fee (if there is an outstanding loan), Legal conveyancing fees, Agent commission (if applicable) |
HDB resale payment timeline for buyers
Buyers spread payments across multiple stages, with most financial commitments occurring after they exercise the OTP. Planning ahead ensures you can meet each payment requirement without delays.
1. Check your affordability
Secure an HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter or bank IPA before starting your home search. This defines your budget and financing limits.
- No payment required
2. Receive the Option to Purchase (OTP)
After you agree on the purchase price with the seller, the seller will issue the Option to Purchase (OTP), granting you the exclusive right to buy the flat within a fixed 21-day period.
- Outgoing: S$1–S$1,000 (option fee)
This payment secures the flat while you finalise your decision and next steps.
3. Request a valuation of the flat
Before exercising the OTP, buyers who intend to use CPF funds or take an HDB loan must request an official valuation of the flat from HDB to determine its market value.
- Outgoing: S$120 valuation fee
This is a fixed fee set by HDB and helps determine whether any Cash Over Valuation (COV) applies.
Read more: A Singaporean’s Guide to Buying Your First Resale HDB Flat
4. Exercise the OTP
If you decide to proceed with the purchase, you must formally exercise the Option to Purchase within the 21-day validity period to confirm your commitment to buy the flat.
- Outgoing: S$1–S$4,000 (exercise fee)
Together with the option fee, this forms the total deposit capped at S$5,000.
5. Submit the resale application
After exercising the OTP, both the buyer and seller must submit the resale application through the HDB portal to formally proceed with the transaction.
- Outgoing: S$40–S$80 HDB admin fee
This administrative fee is fixed by HDB and depends on the flat type.
6. HDB acceptance and endorsement
After acceptance, buyers must prepare for larger financial commitments tied to the purchase.
- Payments include: CPF downpayment, legal fees, Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD)
7. Approval of HDB resale application
After reviewing all submitted documents and endorsements, HDB will issue the approval of the resale application, confirming that the transaction can proceed to completion.
- Outgoing: Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) and remaining purchase balance
IRAS bases BSD on its rates, which causes the amount to vary with the flat’s purchase price or market value.
8. HDB resale completion appointment
After completing all prior steps and settling payments, the seller moves forward with the buyer to the completion appointment and officially transfers ownership of the flat.
- Outgoing: Remaining purchase price, COV (if applicable), property tax adjustments, agent commission
This stage finalises the transaction and marks the legal transfer of ownership.
Buyer payment timeline
The table below shows a simplified overview of when buyers make key payments during the resale transaction.
| Timeline | Journey | Payment |
| Calculate affordability | Get HFE letter from HDB or IPA from a bank | No payment involved |
| Receive OTP | Pay option fee | S$1–S$1,000 |
| Request valuation | HDB processes request and assesses flat | S$120 |
| Within 21 days | Exercise OTP to commit to purchase | S$1–S$4,000 |
| Submit resale application | Submit through HDB portal | S$40–S$80 HDB admin fee |
| ~4 weeks later | Receive acceptance & endorse documents | Buyer Stamp Duty, legal fees |
| Completion (~8 weeks later) | Resale completion appointment | Balance purchase price, COV, property tax, agent commission |
Full cost breakdown of an HDB resale transaction
The table below shows the key costs involved in an HDB resale transaction and indicates whether each cost is fixed or varies depending on your situation.
Buyer cost breakdown
The table below outlines the typical costs buyers need to prepare for, highlighting which fees HDB or authorities fix and which vary based on the flat price, financing method, or market conditions.
| Cost component | Amount | Fixed or variable | Notes |
| Option fee | S$1–S$1,000 | Fixed range (HDB-regulated) | Paid in cash when OTP is granted |
| Exercise fee | S$1–S$4,000 | Fixed range (HDB-regulated) | Combined with option fee, total capped at S$5,000 |
| Valuation fee | S$120 | Fixed (HDB-set) | Required if using CPF or HDB loan |
| Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) | Varies | Variable (IRAS rates) | Based on higher of purchase price or market value |
| Legal conveyancing fees | Varies | Variable | Depends on HDB or private lawyer |
| Downpayment (CPF + Cash) | Varies | Variable | Depends on loan type and financing structure |
| Cash Over Valuation (COV) | Varies | Variable | Paid in cash if purchase price exceeds valuation |
Seller cost breakdown
The table below summarises the main costs sellers may incur, most of which vary depending on the sale price, loan status, and service providers involved.
| Cost component | Amount | Fixed or variable | Notes |
| Agent commission | ~1–2% of sale price | Variable | Depends on agent agreement |
| Legal conveyancing fees | Varies | Variable | Based on legal service provider |
| Mortgage discharge fee | Varies | Variable | Depends on loan provider |
| CPF refund | Varies | Variable | Refund of CPF used plus accrued interest |
Read more: The Hidden Costs of Owning a Home in Singapore
What happens if you miss a payment deadline?
Each stage of the HDB resale process follows strict timelines. Missing a deadline can delay the transaction or result in financial penalties.
- If the OTP is not exercised within 21 days, the option will expire and the buyer may forfeit the option fee.
- Late submission of the resale application may delay HDB processing and push back the completion timeline.
- Late payment of Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) may result in penalties and interest imposed by IRAS.
- Failure to complete required payments before completion may delay the transfer of ownership.
Understanding these consequences highlights the importance of preparing funds early and tracking all key deadlines carefully.
FAQs about HDB resale payment timeline
When do you pay the option fee for HDB resale?
The seller receives the option fee when granting the Option to Purchase (OTP), which typically happens after both parties agree on the purchase price.
How much cash do you need upfront for HDB resale?
The amount of cash required upfront depends on the deposit, Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD), and any Cash Over Valuation (COV), but buyers should at minimum prepare up to S$5,000 for the deposit along with additional funds for other costs.
Can CPF be used for all payments?
No. You cannot use CPF for all HDB resale payments, as you must pay certain costs such as the option fee and any Cash Over Valuation (COV) in cash.
When do you pay BSD?
You typically pay the Buyer’s Stamp Duty after HDB approves the resale application and before completing the transaction.
What happens if OTP expires?
If the buyer does not exercise the Option to Purchase within the 21-day validity period, the option will expire, and the seller will retain the option fee.
How long does the process take?
The HDB resale process typically takes about 8 to 10 weeks from the point HDB accepts the resale application to the completion appointment.
Plan ahead for a smooth HDB resale transaction
To stay on track, map out your payment obligations early and align them with each stage of the resale timeline. Set aside both cash and CPF funds in advance, especially for key milestones such as OTP exercise, stamp duty payment, and completion.
Before committing to a purchase or sale, confirm your financing, review all potential costs, and build a buffer for variable expenses like legal fees or COV. Taking these steps early reduces uncertainty and helps ensure your transaction progresses smoothly without delays.
Read more: How To Choose the Perfect HDB Resale Flat in Singapore
