The resale levy blindsides more upgrading families than almost any other HDB cost, because it is a fixed five figure sum that has nothing to do with your selling price.
Why the levy exists
When the government sells a subsidised flat, BTO, DBSS, or an Executive Condominium, it is providing a housing subsidy. The resale levy ensures that a household does not receive a second full subsidy on their next subsidised purchase without contributing back a portion of the first benefit. It is fixed by your first flat's type, not scaled to your selling price or appreciation.
Who pays it, and who does not
You pay the levy if you previously bought a subsidised flat directly from HDB or a developer under the EC scheme, and you are now buying another subsidised flat or EC. Married couples are assessed as a household, if either spouse triggered a subsidy before, the levy applies to the household's next subsidised purchase. Buyers going straight to the open resale market with no further subsidised purchase do not encounter it at all.
The 2026 rate table
| First subsidised flat sold | Resale levy payable |
|---|---|
| 2 room flat | $15,000 |
| 3 room flat | $30,000 |
| 4 room flat | $40,000 |
| 5 room flat | $45,000 |
| Executive flat | $50,000 |
| EC (privatised, where applicable) | $55,000 |
The levy is assessed on the flat type you previously sold, not the flat type you are now buying. Selling a 4 room BTO and buying a 3 room BTO next still means paying the 4 room levy.
When and how it's paid
For a BTO purchase, the levy is paid at your flat selection appointment, before the Sales and Purchase Agreement is signed. For an EC purchase within the HDB subsidised period, it is paid at booking, coordinated through HDB. CPF Ordinary Account savings can cover it, with any shortfall paid in cash; it cannot be paid from loan proceeds or from CPF Special or Retirement Account.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay the resale levy if I just sell my flat on the open resale market?
No, not on the sale itself. The levy is only triggered when you go on to buy another subsidised flat or EC. If your next purchase is a resale flat or private property with no further subsidy, the levy does not apply.
Can I use CPF to pay the resale levy?
Yes, CPF Ordinary Account savings can pay it directly, with any shortfall in cash. It cannot be paid from your CPF Special or Retirement Account, and it directly reduces the OA funds available for your new flat's downpayment.
Is the levy based on my flat's selling price?
No. The levy amount is fixed by the flat type of the first subsidised flat you sold, not your selling price, your appreciation, or the flat type you are now buying.
Not sure if the resale levy applies to you?
Winfred checks your housing history against HDB's records before you commit to your next subsidised purchase, so the levy is a known number, not a surprise.
Book a free 30 minute callWinfred Quek is an Associate Marketing Consultant at Crestbrick Pte Ltd (CEA Licence No. L31010886H). CEA R073319H. This page is for general information only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Rates and rules reflect the position as at 5 Aug 2026; verify current figures with IRAS, HDB, or MAS before making any decision.