I saved every page from HDB InfoWEB > Application Rate in HTML format in my computer (since 2010 to present), also compiled an Excel table with a summary of application rate per BTO and SBF launch. Updated after May 2023 BTO+SBF.
Detailed application rates per BTO and flat type are available in HTML pages, a fan of my website have copied them in Excel but the table is a bit messy because number of columns vary from between BTO launches, if anyone else have better ideas to compile them in Excel, message me!
Watch video to see what do you get!
Don’t forget to check other databases made by me (100+ databases).
Sources
Until October 2015 site redesign, the application rate for past BTO far back as Aug 2010 was still accessible via direct links (http://services2.hdb.gov.sg/webapp/BP13BTOENQWeb/BP13J011BTOAug10.jsp) although no longer visible in the Application Status page.
2015-2021 link was https://www.hdb.gov.sg/residential/buying-a-flat/new/buying-process/manage-my-application/application-status
Since 2022 link is https://www.hdb.gov.sg/cs/infoweb/residential/buying-a-flat/buying-procedure-for-new-flats/application?anchor=application-status
An application rate 3.00 means that number of applications exceed 3 times flat supply, theoretically 1 of 3 people will be invited to select a flat. An application rate 1.00 does not always mean that everyone got a flat, because some flat types gets oversubscribed while others undersubscribed.
For example, the May 2013 BTO set a new record of low applicant rate: 1.07 overall, this does not mean that everyone got a home. The 4-room units got 4.3 in Hougang BTO while in Sembawang BTO the rate was 0.4 (60% flats remained unsold). Stupid idea to launch BTO in such bad location in the same time with SBF, obviously people went in SBF for better located flats.
In May 2015 for the first time HDB announced the launch date 1 week before the actual launch, the application rate being unusual high even after one day of sales, proving that HDB is still undersupply. Surprisingly, first time BTO exceeded SBF application rate.
HDB stopped announcing launch date in advance (when?).
Since 2021 or 2022 HDB added these notes:
Applications include those who have applied in earlier sales launches, some of whom may be waiting to book a flat, which on average form about 20% of total applications. From past sales launches, about 40% of the invited flat applicants did not proceed to book a flat. Thus, most applicants will be able to select a flat if the application rate of the project is below 1.7.
More applicants are also shortlisted than the available flat supply at each sales launch, i.e. we shortlist beyond 100%, and up to 300%, of total flat supply. These shortlisted applicants will also be given a queue number, and may have a chance to secure a flat if applicants with smaller queue number drop out.
The HDB application rate is a key indicator of demand in Singapore’s public housing market. It shows how many people are applying for available flats during a sales exercise. High application rates can signal strong demand, especially in mature estates with good amenities. Understanding these rates can help buyers set realistic expectations and plan better. Thanks for sharing this insightful blog!