Divorcing in Singapore: Sell, Rent, or Stay Married Until 35?
Divorce is complicated enough, but in Singapore, HDB rules make it even trickier—especially for singles under 35. A recent post on r/askSingapore highlighted this dilemma. A 33-year-old woman shared her situation:
She and her ex-husband had separated but stayed together in their resale HDB to meet the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP). Now that the MOP is up, she has three options:
- Sell the flat, rent for two years, and then buy a resale HDB as a single at 35.
- Sell the flat and buy private property now.
- Stay legally married until 35 to keep the HDB, then sell.
With a stable income of $175K/year, she’s financially secure, but she’s unsure if tying up all her money in private property makes sense.
So, what’s the best move?
"Just Sell and Move On" – The Most Popular Advice
Most commenters didn’t see a point in delaying the divorce any further. Many felt that staying legally married just to keep HDB options open wasn’t worth it.
"Definitely sell. I would rent until I am ready to commit to purchasing my own unit. Life is too short to stay married to someone you have no future with."
— u/Pseudonymous100419
"Sell and free yourself for any possibility that comes your way between now and 35. You can’t buy time."
— u/diecasttoycar
Others pointed out that while renting might seem like "wasting money," it provides freedom and flexibility.
"Sell and rent for 2 years. A clean cut is better than trying to min/max your profit. Just because you can wait two years doesn’t mean your soon-to-be-ex can wait too."
— u/Future_E
Private Property: Smart Investment or Money Trap?
With a $175K salary and potential cash from the HDB sale, many felt private property was within reach.
"175k per annum is more than enough for private, especially with the profit from selling your BTO—unless you’re expecting a 3-bedroom CCR unit or something."
— u/wakkawakkaaaa
Some advised testing the market first before committing.
"Do an In-Principle Approval (IPA) with a bank to check your loan eligibility first. This way, you’ll have a clearer idea of what you can afford."
— u/Specialist_Tip_205 (mortgage advisor)
However, others warned against rushing into private just for the sake of it.
"Private prices in Singapore are absurd. If you're not comfortable tying up all your money in one asset, then don’t rush it."
— u/condemned02
"Stay Married Until 35, No Harm Right?"
A few took the pragmatic approach—why rush when you’ve already waited this long?
"Keep the HDB until 35. You have an amicable relationship, no need to rush. This is the ‘smart’ decision."
— u/SignificantArm4246
For those who don’t plan to date immediately, keeping the HDB saves on rent and offers stability.
"I suggested this to my sister when she divorced at 33. She didn’t want to, but personally, I think it makes the most sense unless you really cannot stand living together."
— u/Savings_Enthusiasm60
That said, dating while still legally married could be a dealbreaker for potential partners.
"If you want to date again, better to have your own place. Explaining why you’re still legally married won’t be fun."
— u/condemned02
Other Considerations: Resale Rules and Income Ceilings
A key point raised was whether she could even buy an HDB again. Some thought income ceilings might be an issue.
"Check the rules—singles buying HDB have an income ceiling of $7K/month. Not sure how resale works, but you might not qualify."
— u/Unique_Escape413
But this was clarified:
"There’s no income ceiling for resale flats, only BTO."
— u/skitschy (OP)
Another issue—waiting period after selling the flat.
"You need to let go of your HDB for at least six months before buying another. So if you’re renting anyway, why not just sell now?"
— u/Unique_Escape413
What’s the Best Move?
Option 1: Sell Now and Rent
✅ Clean break, easier to move on
✅ Freedom to make new life decisions
❌ Renting can feel like "wasting money"
Option 2: Sell and Buy Private
✅ No more uncertainty—own a place now
✅ Potential for investment growth
❌ Risky to tie up cash in one asset
Option 3: Stay Married Until 35
✅ Keeps resale HDB option open
✅ Saves on rent in the short term
❌ Delays emotional closure
Verdict? Most people leaned towards selling now and renting. While staying married a little longer might seem "strategic," it complicates moving on emotionally and socially. With a strong income, renting for two years isn’t a huge financial burden, and it buys time to make the best long-term housing decision.
At the end of the day, is delaying a legal divorce worth an HDB flat?
