Singapore’s new EC rules in 2026: 10-year MOP, 15-year privatization timeline and what it means for buyers

The Ministry of National Development (MND) today made significant changes to the Executive Condominium (EC) Scheme. The list of changes includes increasing the minimum occupation period (MOP) from five years to 10 years, as well as removal of the deferred payment scheme (DPS) for EC purchases. A larger proportion of units in ECs will be reserved for first-time families, and EC developments will be fully privatized after 15 years instead of the current 10 years. These measures will not affect the five EC projects already in the pipeline, and will be applied to new EC sites closing from today. Here’s why three changes to the EC scheme are important, and their potential impact on the housing market.

Five year MOP extended to 10 years

Previously, new EC buyers had to complete a five-year MOP before they could sell their EC unit in the open market to Singaporeans and permanent residents (PRs). …