No one enters a marriage expecting it to fail, but it happens every day. Divorcing couples often have to make a host of difficult decisions in the face of their new emotional and financial reality, such as selling their matrimonial home — typically an HDB flat for most Singaporeans.
The first questions include when can one sell it? What are the documents needed to sell it? Who does the flat go to after the divorce?
We asked Ohmyhome Super Agents to answer these and other frequently asked questions most divorcing couples have about selling their matrimonial HDB flat.
Top 5 questions about selling an HDB flat during divorce
| What happens to the HDB flat when a married couple divorces | Requirements |
| Neither party is allowed to retain the HDB flat | Divorce due to: – Non-consummation of marriage – Annulment of marriage |
| Retain the flat (with children) | – Parents were listed in the flat purchase application Have child’s custody (care and control) – Meet HDB’s eligibility conditions to retain the flat |
| Retain the flat (without children) | – Singapore citizen – At least 35 years old – Matrimonial flat is a resale flat purchased from the open market, without the CPF Housing Grant for Family (subject to final judgement) |
| Sell flat in the open market | – Flat has reached its five-year – Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) by the final judgement date of the divorce(If the MOP has not been met, you can seek special approval from HDB to resell in the open market.) |
1. Who gets the HDB flat after a divorce?
If the HDB flat is a matrimonial asset
If it was purchased by the couple as part of a joint application or under the HDB fiancé/fiancée scheme, it will be considered a matrimonial asset and divided between them equally.
But it will ultimately depend on the final judgement of divorce, which marks the end of the marriage and concludes the divorce proceedings.
If the flat was purchased before the marriage by either party, it will only be considered a matrimonial asset if fits the following conditions under Section 112(10) of The Women’s Charter:
- One or both parties, or any of their children, enjoyed the flat for household, education, recreational, social or aesthetic purposes; or
- It was substantially improved during the marriage by one or both of them
If the HDB flat is not a matrimonial asset
Where there is no agreement to define the flat as a matrimonial home, both parties need to submit their respective positions through their divorce lawyers to be presented during the ancillary matters hearing.
If the court deems that either party is not eligible to retain the flat, it will have to be returned to HDB at a justifiable compensation price (subject to approval) or resold in the open market (subject to the terms of the final judgement).
If the flat has reached its five-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP), it can also be sold in the open market.
Who gets the HDB flat after a divorce ultimately depends on the final judgement of divorce.
However, either party can request special approval from HDB to resell it if it has not reached its MOP.
The sale proceeds will be used to finance any outstanding mortgage loan and reimbursement to the Central Provident Fund Board of the amount used for the purchase of the flat with accrued interest. The remaining balance will be divided between both parties according to the court order for the divorce.
To sell the HDB flat, either party must produce the following documents:
- Interim Judgment and Certificate of Making Interim Judgment Final; or
- Court Order (if any)
2. How does the division of matrimonial assets work?
For Muslims
According to section 52(7) of the Administration of Muslim Law Act, the Syariah Court has the power to dispose of, sell or divide the property between both parties as it thinks just and equitable.
This depends on whether the divorce is due to any of these reasons:
- Khuluk (divorce by redemption or compensation);
- Cerai taklik (divorce by breach of marriage condition); or
- Fasakh (annulment of marriage)
The Syariah Court and the MUIS Appeal Board have amended the matrimonial assets in Women’s Charter in early 2019, and as per the amendments:
- If an asset is a gift or inheritance, it cannot be divided upon divorce except if it is a matrimonial home or has been substantially improved during the marriage.
- The Court can pass orders for the payment of “Mahr” (a husband’s gift to the wife on solemnization day), marriage expenses (hantaran belanja) or consolatory gift (mutaah) to the wife, as the court thinks is just.
- It also decides the custody, maintenance and education of the minor children of the parties; as well as
- The disposition or division of shared property on divorce or nullification of marriage.
To sell the matrimonial flat during a divorce, it must have reached its MOP by the divorce completion date, The division of matrimonial assets depends on the following factors, according to Section 112(2) of The Women’s Charter: Generally, the matrimonial property can only be sold after the final judgment, obtainable three months after the Interim Judgement of Divorce (marking the end of the court proceedings’ first stage). If the court has granted either party to take over the matrimonial flat through a change in flat ownership or a resale of part-share, they may submit an application for it only after the final judgement. (Of course, the party must also meet the eligibility conditions to take ownership of the flat.) That means the applicant must have received the Certificate of Final Judgement for a civil divorce or a Certificate of Divorce for a Muslim divorce. HDB will not accept applications for an ownership change if the divorce has yet to be finalised. To sell the matrimonial flat during a divorce, it must have reached its MOP by the divorce completion date. If not, either party can request special approval to sell the flat upon receiving the final judgement (subject to approval). Navigating divorce and the division of a matrimonial home can be emotionally and mentally tiring. So let a trained property professional assist you with the latter. This article was originally published on Ohmyhome, your one-stop property solution.For Non-Muslims
3. Can I sell before the final judgement of my divorce has been finalised?
4. I’m currently in the middle of divorce proceedings. Can I take over the current house from my ex-spouse?
5. What happens if I get divorced before MOP?
