Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme: Rent a Flat for Cheap While Waiting for Your BTO

So you’ve booked a BTO flat recently.

Congratulations!

Now you’ve only got to wait for about 3 to 5 years before you can move in.

(Or even longer, due to the latest delays due to the pandemic.)

But what if you’d like to move in together ASAP?

Or if you’ve got a little one on the way?

Well, you could live separately until your flat is done.

Although this might not work very well for those expecting a kid and for those who have in-laws who can’t really grasp the concept of personal space.

Or you could rent a place in the meantime (read: expensive).

HOW SIA…

Fret not, boys and girls.

Have you heard of HDB’s Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS)?

---

TL;DR: How Much Does a Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme Rental Flat Cost?

The rental rates for PPHS flats will range from $400 to $500 a month for a 2-room flat.

$600 to $900 a month for a 3-room flat.

And $1,500 a month for a 4-room flat.

The actual price will vary depending on the location:

Best of all, it’s a fixed monthly rate for the entire duration of your tenancy.

FYI: the tenancy duration is capped at 3 years and should end within 4 months of the Estimated Completion Date of your flat.

[Update] On 3 Aug 2021, HDB shared that there are plans to add about 800 more HDB units to increase the total number of PPHS flats available.

200 of these additional 800 units will be ready by this year, and will be gradually released for application from Q4 2021.

There are currently about 840 units under this scheme.

This is to cater to the demand for PPHS flats, which has doubled since the start of the pandemic due to BTO flat delays.

---

What Is The Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS)?

The PPHS provides rental flats at below-market rates to temporarily house families while they wait for their new HDB flats to be completed.

It was initially created for couples with young children.

But has since been extended to include more family types like divorced or widowed parents with children as well.

The PPHS flats available are mostly Selective En-bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) flats before they are demolished and used for redevelopment.

I know what you’re thinking.

Relax.

When choosing a suitable PPHS flat, families are informed of the availability period of each PPHS site.

And are advised to select one which best meets the completion timeline of their new flat.

While HDB can be flexible and extend the tenancy of the PPHS flat, it is only possible if the PPHS site is not due for immediate clearance.

However, HDB has since added more permanent sources of flats for the scheme.

Who Is Eligible to Apply for a PPHS Flat?

You can rent a PPHS flat if you have booked an uncompleted, new HDB flat.

And belong to the following groups:

• Married couples or applicants under the Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme
  • You will need to submit your marriage certificate within 3 months of taking possession of your PPHS flat
• Divorced or widowed parent with children

You must also meet the following criteria:

• You must be a Singapore citizen with another Singapore citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident in your household
• You and the occupier must not own an existing HDB flat
  • If you currently co-own an HDB flat with parents or siblings, you can still apply for PPHS but must surrender ownership of the flat within 6 months of taking possession of your PPHS flat
• You and the other applicants for the PPHS must be listed in the sales application
  • You can only be listed in 1 PPHS application within the same month
• If you are sharing the PPHS flat with another eligible household, the maximum number of occupants must not exceed the cap
  • With the exception of additional occupiers from marriages or new births

If you’re wondering what the maximum number of occupants are allowed:

[Update] From 4 Aug 2021 onwards, applicants must have a household combined monthly income of $7,000 and below, based on the income in their sales application.

For households whose income have fallen to $7,000 and below since their sales application, please contact HDB directly.

What Kind of Flats Are Available for Application?

You can choose either a 2-room, 3-room or 4-room flat — depending on the availability.

The rental rates for PPHS flats will also depend on their location and type:

Side note: the only 4-room flats available are in Tiong Bahru Road, so tough luck if you’re looking for 4-room flats in particular…

The monthly rental is fixed throughout the duration of your stay and must be paid via GIRO.

You also have to pay stamp fees and a 1-month rent deposit when the tenancy agreement is signed.

How to Apply For a PPHS Flat?

It’s really straightforward.

Step 1: Check Which Flats Are Available for Application

As there is a fixed number of flats available at any time.

You’ll have to find out which PPHS flats are available for application first.

Step 2: Submit Your Application

If you are a first-timer, you can submit your application via My HDBPage.

You’ll need to submit your application in person if:

• You are from a second-timer household
  • Married couples or applicants under the Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme, comprising a first-timer and a second-timer
  • Divorced or widowed parent with child or children
• You do not have internet access
• You would like to share a PPHS flat

You’ll need to pay a non-refundable administrative fee ($10) for each application

Step 3: Receive Your Application Outcome

If you are successful, you will be invited for flat selection in the month following your application.

Meaning if you apply in April and are successful, you can select a PPHS flat in May.

Your queue position will be determined by computer ballot.

So don’t kan cheong (Hokkien: panic).

The following groups will enjoy priority allocation

• Eligible married couples
• Households sharing a PPHS flat IF any of the sharing households is an eligible married couples

Step 4: Select Your PPHS Flat

All who are listed in the application must be present during selection.

Once you select your flat you cannot change it.

So make sure you visit the PPHS site in person to see what the surrounding environment and amenities are like.

As well as check the duration of the PHS site availability before committing!

Step 5: Sign Your PPHS Tenancy Agreement

You must be present at the signing of the tenancy agreement and relevant undertaking forms.

The tenancy duration is capped at 3 years and should end within 4 months of the Estimated Completion Date of your flat.

Or the PPHS site’s availability — whichever is shorter.

When you sign the tenancy agreement, you will also need to pay:

• Rent for first month
• 1-month rental deposit
• Stamp fees

Some Commonly Asked Question About PPHS Rental Flats

Can I Renovate My PPHS Flat?

HDB will retrofit the unfurnished flats with basic fittings before leasing them out to you.

Basically, your PPHS rental will come with doors, tiles, toilets, sinks, fluorescent lights, and a heater in the kitchen toilet.

Yeah… I know.

Nothing fancy since it’s temporary.

But if you would like to carry out minor renovation works, such as the installation of window grilles or air-conditioning, you’ll need to submit a request to HDB.

For stuff that you buy or install in your PPHS flat, you can choose to bring them along with you when your new flat is completed.

Or choose to leave them there for the next tenant.

Don’t wanna buy stuff?

You can lease your furniture and electrical appliances from these suppliers listed by HDB:

Can I Rent Out Rooms in My PPHS Flat?

No.

You are not permitted to sublet the whole OR any part of your PPHS flat.

If you do so, you may be subjected to the following penalties:

• Recovery of the PPHS flat
• $5,000 fine
• You and the authorised occupiers will be barred from renting or buying any kind of HDB flat
  • 10 years for tenants and essential occupiers
  • 5 years for non-essential authorised occupiers
• Cancellation of existing HDB flat booking or application

Should I Apply For A PPHS Rental Flat?

Well…

In terms of location, you’re at the mercy of whatever PPHS flats are available at the time you choose to apply.

So if you have a specific location in mind, then you have to be prepared to compromise as you don’t have that many options to begin with.

Also, a lot of these SERs flats are located in older estates where the general occupancy rates might be lower.

I mean, bruv, en-bloc already leh…

Most of the former occupants there would have already moved out.

Meaning the amenities and facilities surrounding your PPHS flat might not be that great.

And there’s an exceedingly high chance that you’ll literally be living in what feels like an abandoned part of Singapore.

Note: make sure you go down physically to have a look at the PPHS site BEFORE applying

If you’re really fussy about your living environment, you’re going to have to spend a bit in order to make your PPHS flat liveable.

And that means extra cost for stuff which you’re only going to use for a while before moving to your new home.

You could choose to bring that $5,000 King-sized bed with you to your new place.

But you’re going to need to spend time and money to move your stuff.

So overall, I’d say it’s wiser to see if you can work out some kind of living arrangement with your parents or in-laws.

Simply because they can help look after your kid (if you have one on the way) and you don’t have to spend extra money on rent.

Or if that’s not possible, consider renting a place with friends or another couple.

This way, you’ll at least have more options in terms of location and amenities.