H88.com.sg » HDB Reviews » HDB Paired Units explained

Every now and then we get a new 'mutant' from HDB that makes things slightly more confusing. Be it executive mansionettes, 'jumbo' flats and HDB terrace houses. This time round HDB offers Singaporeans 'Paired Units' in the latest BTO - SkyTerrace@Dawson. What's that you ask? We explain.

The paired units in the BTO consists of a 4-room loft + studio and 5-room loft + studio. For those of you unfamiliar with lofts, imagine your ceiling twice its height, with large windows spanning floor to ceiling, add to that a staircase that leads to your bedroom which overlooks your living room. Think Manhattan, think New York City, think luxury living. Here's a pic:

Artist's impression of the Paired Unit. Note the door on the wall, up the stairs. That's where your in-laws/parents would come and ask why you're back home so late.

This is the regular loft, withouth the in-laws/parents the studio apartments.

Okay then, so these paired units come under this scheme known as the Multi-Generation Living Scheme (MGLS), which is a scheme that gives you no more excuse not to visit your parents. Basically, the married couple would live in the 4 or 5-RM loft while either the husband's or wife's parents would live upstairs in the studio apartment.

Neat idea yeah? Husbands/husbands-to-be, better ask your partner's permission before you hit the send button. Wives-to-be, make sure you get to know his parents VERY well! :)

Some images from the HDB brochure, we've made it clearer:

4RM Loft 1 - Level One floorplan

4RM Loft 1 - Level Two floorplan

Studio with 4RM Loft 1

5RM Loft 1 - Level One floorplan

5RM Loft 1 - Level Two floorplan

Studio with 5RM Loft 1

Now here's some key things you need to take note:

the married child's parents have to apply for the studio, while the married child has to apply for the 4- or 5-RM loft.
the MGLS application is combined, meaning even though there are two flats in the application, you get only one queue number
everything must be done together, selecting, paying deposit, signing, etc. If at any point along the way one drops out, say goodbye to Dawson. So make sure your family has a clear idea of what they want.
studios are 30-year leaseholds. Studio Apartment eligibility conditions apply.
If the residents of the studio 'go to a better place', the studio apartment will be returned to HDB. [Clarification: This situation refers to when the keys to the paired units have already been collected. Should the parents pass on, the studio goes back into the possession of HDB.]
ethnic quotas apply
only 65 such units are available so HURRY!

Required reading - HDB's Terms and Conditions for the Multi-Generation Living Scheme.

Images: SkyTerrace@Dawson Brochure.

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