MacPherson resident accuses buyer of U-turn after agreeing to delay handover for HDB flat
Seah Jun De
TNP
April 22, 2025
A man has claimed that he signed an agreement to delay the handover of his three-room HDB flat for three months, but the buyer refuted it, denying that he had signed such an agreement.
Shin Min Daily News reported that Chen Yitang, 43, sold the Block 22 Balam Road unit in MacPherson - which he inherited from his dad - for $320,000 after his new flat was completed this year.
Mr Chen said the buyer, Mr Rashid, viewed the flat in mid-November last year, signed the Option to Purchase contract on Nov 29 and paid a deposit of $3,000.
"When he was viewing the flat, I clearly stated that the flat handover would need to be delayed for three months," said Mr Chen.
"The buyer agreed and signed the agreement."
The sale was officially completed on March 28, but Mr Chen claimed that Mr Rashid changed his mind about the handover a few days later and notified the Housing Board to cancel the arrangement previously agreed upon.
"He denied signing the agreement and deleted records of our conversation," said Mr Chen.
"If he really hadn't signed the agreement, how could he go to HDB to request a change in arrangement?"
According to HDB's website, if both parties agree to an extension, the seller can delay the handover of the unit for up to three months after resale completion.
Both parties must state the arrangement in their respective resale application.
Mr Rashid claimed that Mr Chen had originally agreed to hand over the flat at the end of February, but the latter denied saying so. Thus, the former has contacted the property agent to handle the issue.
Mr Rashid told the Chinese daily that he had agreed to the deal because Mr Chen said he would move into his new flat immediately after collecting his keys on Feb 25.
Mr Chen rebutted the claim, insisting that he never agreed to move out after getting the keys to his new flat.
Mr Wilson Yeo, director of Yeo Marini Law Corporation, explained that if the buyer requests that the seller move out early, even though the other party did not violate any rules, it would be a breach of contract.
If the buyer breaches the contract unilaterally, the seller can seek compensation.
He advised that the seller notify HDB and highlighted that even if the buyer is now the rightful owner, entering the flat can be an act of trespassing as the seller is still the occupant during the extension.
