HDB says combined Telok Blangah flat sale legitimate, to review conversion scheme

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) has validated a controversial property transaction involving two public flats combined into a single unit and listed for sale at S$2.18 million in Telok Blangah, stating the arrangement adheres to existing guidelines.

The confirmation comes amid public concern about the legitimacy of merging two Housing Board units into one and offering it as a single property on the resale market. HDB's Conversion Scheme permits residents to combine adjacent flats under specified conditions, and the board has affirmed that the Telok Blangah transaction met all regulatory requirements.

However, responding to the public outcry, HDB indicated it would undertake a comprehensive review of the Conversion Scheme. The review signals the board's willingness to reassess the framework governing flat conversions, potentially addressing concerns that the current rules may not reflect public sentiment or housing market expectations.

The combined flat sale highlights evolving dynamics in Singapore's public housing market, where residents increasingly explore options to create larger living spaces through mergers permitted under HDB regulations. The upcoming scheme review may result in modifications to how such conversions are approved, priced, or marketed in future transactions.