Updated: 09/11/2012 05:45 | By Channel NewsAsia

1,135 couples who booked flats over past 3 years cancelled their bookings

SINGAPORE: 4.3 per cent, or 1,135 couples, who had booked a flat from 2009 to 2011 and the first half of 2012, cancelled their bookings and had to forfeit their deposit.

Among these couples, 367 cited relationship break—up including annulment and divorce as the reason for the cancellation.

Minister for National Development, Khaw Boon Wan, shared these figures in a written reply to Member of Parliament for Hougang Png Eng Huat who asked about the HDB Fiance/Fiancee Scheme.

In 2009, 14,682 couples applied for the Fiance/Fiancee Scheme.

In 2010, 12,202 couples applied and in 2011, 13,640 couples applied.

7,936 couples applied in the first half of 2012.

Of these 48,460 couples who applied, 37,537 were invited to select and 26,174 booked a HDB flat.

Mr Khaw said buyers of Build—to—Order (BTO) projects will typically wait two—and—a—half to three years to collect the keys to their flats.

— CNA/ck