To help you set aside CPF savings for your retirement years, there are housing limits on the amount of CPF savings you can use to buy a private property.

Valuation Limit (VL) is the purchase price or the value of the private property at the time of purchase, whichever is lower.

Withdrawal Limit (WL) is 120% of the VL. This is the maximum amount of CPF you can use for the private property.

To continue using your CPF beyond VL, up to WL, you need to meet the following requirements:

• Below 55 years old: To set aside the current Basic Retirement Sum (BRS) in your Special Account (SA), including the amount withdrawn for investment, and Ordinary Account (OA).
• 55 years old and above: To meet the BRS in your Retirement Account (RA), SA (including the amount withdrawn for investment) and OA.

The amount of CPF you can use is lower if you are buying a private property with a remaining lease of less than 60 years but at least 30 years.

Yes, you can use your CPF to buy more than one property. However, there are some restrictions in place under the Multiple Property Rule.

If you are using CPF savings to service the housing loan for two private properties, we will deduct from your OA to pay the monthly instalments as requested by you. There is no fixed order of deduction as to which property will be paid first. Please ensure that you have sufficient funds in your CPF account for the monthly instalment deductions.

You can use your Ordinary Account savings to service the housing loan only if you are the co-owner of the property.

You cannot transfer your Ordinary Account (OA) savings to your parents' OA to help them pay their outstanding housing loan. You can only use your OA savings to service the housing loan if you are a co-owner of the property.

You may submit your application to use your CPF savings to buy a private property with your fiancée/fiancé before registration of your marriage.

You can only use your Ordinary Account savings to pay for the property on completion of all legal documentation and after you have paid the following in cash:

1. minimum cash down payment of at least 5% of the Valuation Limit (VL)^#; and
2. the portion of the purchase price that is above the market value of the property after taking into consideration the CPF lump sum and the housing loan.

CPF savings can be used to pay the stamp duty and survey fees. However, monthly service and conservancy charges, and other charges related to the use of the property, including taxes, cannot be paid with your CPF savings.

As stamp duty is payable within 14 days from the date of the sale and purchase agreement or the date of acceptance of the option to purchase, you will need to use cash to pay the stamp duty first. Subsequently, you can apply for a one-time reimbursement from your CPF account together with your application to use your CPF savings to buy a property.

• For completed properties, you should apply for the one-time reimbursement of stamp duty and CPF lump sum drawdown on completion at the same time.
• For properties under construction, you should apply for the one-time reimbursement of stamp duty on or before the date of the legal completion.

You can use your CPF savings to pay the legal fees incurred when you buy a property.

CPF savings cannot be used for renovation, improvement or repair work for your property.

Non-related persons may use their CPF savings jointly to buy a private property.

You can use your CPF savings, up to the Valuation Limit*, for your second or subsequent private property with remaining lease of at least 60 years after meeting certain conditions based on your age.

Both non-related single persons need to be at least 21 years old.

They are not required to sell the property if one of the owners gets married subsequently.

A joint-tenancy is a form of property ownership where all co-owners have an equal interest in the property, regardless of the individual owner's contribution to the property purchase.

This means that upon the death of a joint-tenant, his interest in the property will automatically pass on to the remaining co-owner(s), regardless of whether he has made a will.

A tenancy-in-common is a form of property ownership where each co-owner holds a separate and definite share in the property. However, all co-owners are entitled to the enjoyment of the whole property regardless of their share in the property.

The tenant-in-common's share in the property does not automatically pass on to the remaining co-owner(s). Upon the death of a tenant-in-common, his interest in the flat will be distributed according to his will or if he has no will, it will be distributed according to the provisions of the Intestate Succession Act.