HDB BTO Oct 2023 Review: Choa Chu Kang, Kallang/Whampoa, Queenstown, and Tengah

The HDB BTO Oct 2023 launch exercise will be the biggest one this year, with 6,800 flats offered in Kallang/Whampoa, Queenstown, Choa Chu Kang, and Tengah. Find out more about the upcoming launch in our review.

Previously pushed back from Aug 2023, the October 2023 BTO projects will have 6,800 BTO flats available across Choa Chu Kang, Kallang/Whampoa, Queenstown, and Tengah. 

Three of the six projects will be in Kallang/Whampoa, with one project each in Choa Chu Kang, Queenstown, and Tengah. 

In this article, we’ll dive into each BTO project and take a look at the amenities around it, including schools, MRT stations, eateries, and others.  

So, if you ever want to live in these estates, read our review to find out what’s in store!

Table of contents

• HDB BTO Oct 2023 overview
• Changes to the BTO flat application process
• Choa Chu Kang BTO
• Kallang BTO
• Queenstown BTO
• Tengah BTO
• How to apply for the Oct 2023 BTO flats?
• Sale of Balance Flat in Oct 2023?
• BTO Dec 2023

HDB BTO Oct 2023 launch overview

As mentioned, the October 2023 HDB BTO launch is the biggest project in 2023, with over 6,800 units offered across six projects in Choa Chu Kang, Kallang/Whampoa, Queenstown, and Tengah. 

Three of those projects will be offered in Kallang/Whampoa, with Verendah @ Kallang will likely fall under the Prime Location Housing (PLH) model, given the project’s proximity to the Kallang MRT station and city.  

Meanwhile, Rail Green I @ CCK BTO and Rail Green II @ CCK BTO are the biggest projects, offering 1,895 flats ranging from 2-room Flexi to 3Gen units. The Choa Chua Kang BTO projects will likely be hotly contested due to the availability of different unit types and good amenities.  

In Queenstown, the Tanglin Halt Cascadia BTO is located on the former Commonwealth Drive SERS site, next to the Rail Corridor. It will likely be oversubscribed as there will be several popular amenities and schools in the vicinity. 

Lastly, there will be two BTO projects in Tengah. Located next to Tengah Park MRT, Plantation Edge I BTO and Plantation Edge II BTO comprise 1,010 units of 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room, and 5-room flats. 
 

Changes to the BTO flat application from Oct 2023 onwards

There will be several changes to the BTO application process starting from the Oct 2023 HDB BTO launch. 

1. Penalisation for first-timer BTO applicants who reject their invitation

First-timer BTO applicants who reject an invitation to book a BTO flat will be penalised as second-timers for a year. Currently, you’ll lose your first-timer priority for a year only if you rejected your invitation twice. 

The tightening of this rule is meant to reduce the number of people who decline to pick a flat and to ensure more efficient allocation to those who need it more. 

If you look at the flat allocation for second-timers (5% for 4-room or larger flats compared to 95% for first-timer families), it’s harder for you to secure a flat as a second-timer.

2. Higher flat allocation for first-timer families

Another notable change to the BTO application process is the introduction of the new Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme (FPPS), which will replace the Parenthood Priority Scheme (PPS). 

Under the FPPS, up to 40% of the BTO flats and up to 60% of Sale of Balance Flats (SBFs) will be set aside for this subset of first-timer families, otherwise known as First-timer (Parents and Married Couples) category, or FT (PMC). This is up from the current 30% and 50% allocation, respectively. 

To be considered a FT (PMC), you’ll need to:

• Be a family with at least one Singaporean child who is 18 years and below, or a married couple aged 40 years and below; and
• New owned or sold a residential property in the past; and
• Have not booked a BTO/SBF in the past five years prior to your first application

3. Additional BTO ballot chances for first-timer parents and married couples

FT (PMC) applications will receive an additional ballot for their BTO applications. This group of buyers will be given a total of three ballot chances instead of the two currently.

4. All BTO applicants need to apply for the HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter 

Starting from the Oct 2023 BTO sales exercise, all BTO applicants must apply for the HFE letter before submitting their BTO application. 

You’ll need to have the HFE letter if you’re shortlisted and plan to take an HDB loan, which will inform you of your eligibility to buy a new or resale HDB flat, the CPF grant amounts, and your HDB loan amount. You can apply for the HFE letter on HDB’s portal. 

With that out of the way, let’s look at what the HDB BTO Oct 2023 launch has to offer!

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HDB BTO Oct 2023 Rail Green I and Rail Green II BTO overview and location

Source: HDB

The Rail Green I and Rail Green II BTO projects will be located along Woodlands Road and is the biggest project in the Oct 2023 BTO launch. They also offer all types of flats, including 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room, 5-room, and 3Gen flats, so expect competition to be high. 

Moreover, the projects are quite accessible; you can get to Senja LRT station and Phoenix LRT station on foot in about 10 minutes, while Bukit Panjang MRT station is only a 7-minute walk away. Commuting to the CBD from Bukit Panjang MRT will take around 30 minutes. 

Shopping malls in the area include Junction 10, Bukit Panjang Plaza, and Hillion Mall. Via Bukit Panjang MRT, you can also access other malls in the Upper Bukit Timah and Hillview residential areas, namely HillV2 and the Rail Mall. 

Speaking of Bukit Timah, nature lovers will also enjoy the Choa Chu Kang BTO’s proximity to the Rail Corridor, which runs through the BTO site. Though according to the BTO map, this is only an interim path. Besides that, there’s also the Bukit Panjang Park Connector and Pang Sua Park Connector, which run along the nearby Sungei Pang Sua.  

Families with schooling children will also be glad to know that the BTO project is close to several schools, including West View Primary School & MK @ West View, Choa Chu Kang Secondary School, Teck Whye Primary School, and Jurong Pioneer Junior College.
 
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HDB BTO Oct 2023 Kallang/Whampoa BTO overview and location

The Oct 2023 BTO launch will see three BTO projects in the Kallang/Whampoa estate. 

The first project, Tenteram Vantage BTO, is bounded by Jalan Tenteram and is located next to the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) and Central Expressway (CTE). It comprises 1,040 units of 3-room and 4-room flats.

The second BTO project in Kallang/Whampoa is Rajah Residences BTO, which is located along Jalan Rajah, next to the Rajah Summit BTO in the February 2023 BTO sales exercise. It offers around 739 units of 2-room Flexi and 4-room flats. The first two BTO projects are closer to Toa Payoh and Potong Pasir, so future residents can also expect to access the many amenities in both areas.

The last Kallang/Whampoa BTO project is Verandah @ Kallang BTO. Located along Geylang Road, it comprises 1,143 units of 2-room Flexi, 3-room, and 4-room flats. It’s also the most centrally located among the Kallang/Whampoa project and will be a PLH project. 

Let’s take a closer look at each of the Kallang/Whampoa BTO projects. 

Tenteram Vantage BTO

Source: HDB

Because of its location, Tenteram Vantage BTO could be the least popular Kallang/Whampoa BTO project.

It isn’t very accessible as there isn’t an MRT station within proximity. The closest MRT station is Boon Keng MRT, which is 1.4km or around 18 mins on foot.

Future residents may also need to bear with sound pollution as the BTO is located at the intersection of the CTE and PIE. 

But unlike previous BTO launches in Kallang/Whampoa, the Jalan Tenteram BTO is located near schools, including St. Andrew’s Junior School, St. Andrew’s Secondary School, and Bendemeer Secondary School. 

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Rajah Residences BTO

Source: HDB

The next Oct 2023 BTO project in Kallang/Whampoa is Rajah Residences BTO, located along Jalan Rajah. Compared to Tenteram Vantage BTO, the Rajah Residences BTO is much more accessible. For starters, Toa Payoh Town isn’t that far and is within walking distance.

From there, you can enjoy Toa Payoh’s various amenities and eateries. Toa Payoh MRT is about 1.1km (or 15 mins away by foot). There’s also the Toa Payoh Bus Interchange, which provides convenient access around Toa Payoh and out of town. 

Sports enthusiasts will also be glad that SAFRA Toa Payoh, Toa Payoh Swimming Complex, and Toa Payoh Stadium are nearby.

Besides that, there are also a few nearby shopping malls in the area, including Balestier Plaza and Shaw Plaza.

As with other previous Kallang/Whampoa BTO projects, there aren’t many schools in the vicinity. The only two schools nearby are Bendemeer Secondary School and Hong Wen School. 

Verandah @ Kallang BTO

Source: HDB

The Verandah @ Kallang BTO project is bounded by Geylang Road, Sims Way, Kallang Airport Way, and Kallang Airport Drive, and is located next to the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE). 

It’s the most centrally located Kallang/Whampoa BTO project, and it takes just six minutes to walk to the Kallang MRT station. Because of its locational attributes, this will be a PLH project. 

It’s also a 9-minute walk from the Singapore Sports Hub and other sporting facilities in the area, including the Singapore Indoor Stadium, Kallang Squash & Tennis Centre, and Kallang Netball Centre. There are also other eateries in Kallang that are nearby.

However, one thing to note is that there isn’t a nearby school around. The closest schools in the area are Dunman Secondary School and Bendemeer Primary School, but they’re not nearby.

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HDB BTO Oct 2023 Tangling Halt Cascadia BTO overview and location

Source: HDB

The Tanglin Halt Cascadia BTO project comprises 973 units of 3-room and 4-room flats. It will be located along Commonwealth Drive in the Tanglin Halt neighbourhood. The area is being rejuvenated as part of the Selective En Bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) programme. 

In fact, Tanglin Halt Cascadia BTO sits on the former sites of Blocks 74 to 80, which were selected for SERS back in 2008.

Tanglin Halt Cascadia BTO has excellent nearby amenities and accessibility; Commonwealth MRT station is within walking distance, as are other eating and lifestyle establishments in the area. Furthermore, Holland Village, Star Vista, Holland Drive Market and Food Centre, and Ghim Moh Market are nearby too.

Commuting to the CBD from Commonwealth MRT takes about 12 minutes, while one-north is also within walking distance.

There are also good schooling options in the vicinity, including reputable schools such as Anglo-Chinese School (International) and Anglo-Chinese Junior College.

Due to its prime location and accessibility to MRT stations, Tanglin Halt Cascadia BTO project will be another PLH site. Expect it to be oversubscribed.

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HDB BTO Oct 2023 Plantation Edge I and Plantation Edge II BTO overview and location

Source: HDB

Plantation Edge I and Plantation Edge II BTO in Tengah is bounded by Plantation Close and Plantation Crescent, next to Plantation Verge BTO in the May 2023 BTO exercise. 

Around 1,010 units ranging from 2-room Flexi to 5-room flats will be available for balloting. Tengah Park MRT (opening in 2028) will be located right next to the Tengah BTO flats. 

As Tengah is undergoing heavy development, there aren’t many amenities available. Future residents will have to access the amenities in Jurong East and Bukit Batok in the meantime, including Le Quest Shopping Mall, West Mall, and JEM. 

Meanwhile, there is also a good selection of nearby schools, including Jurong Primary School, Jurongbille Secondary School, and Princess Elizabeth Primary School & MK @ Princess Elizabeth. Pioneer Primary School will relocate to its Tengah campus in 2025 and will be a short walk away.

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How to apply for the Oct 2023 BTO flats

You can apply online via the HDB InfoWEB. Applications will close on 10 October 2023, Tuesday, 11:59pm. 

Also read:
7 Lesser-Known Things You Should Be Aware Of Before Purchasing A BTO Flat
How Much Do You Need To Buy Your First Home In Singapore?
8 Hacks To Improve Your HDB BTO Ballot Chances

Will there be Sale of Balance Flats (SBFs) in Oct 2023?

HDB SBF launches happen twice a year and usually coincide with the BTO launches in May and November, so there won’t be any HDB SBF launches in the Oct 2023 HDB BTO sales exercise. You’ll need to wait until November 2023 if you're looking to purchase a SBF unit. 

Upcoming HDB BTO launch in December 2023

According to the HDB, there will be around 6,010 units offered in the Dec 2023 BTO launch:

• Bedok (Community Care Apartments, 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room, and 5-room)
• Bishan (3-room and 4-room)
• Bukit Merah (2-room Flexi, 3-room, and 4-room)
• Bukit Panjang (2-room Flexi and 4-room)
• Jurong West (2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room, and 5-room)
• Queenstown (3-room and 4-room)
• Woodlands (2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room, and 5-room)

Further information on the Dec 2023 HDB BTO launch can be found on the HDB portal. As usual, we’ll do an overview article when the HDB releases more information. So watch this space!

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