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VERS in the 2030s: What It Means for HDB Owners and the End of the SERS Jackpot Dream

  • Writer: Megan Soo
    Megan Soo
  • Aug 11
  • 2 min read

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For decades, some buyers (I was one of them) of older HDB flats have pinned their hopes on the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) — the “lottery” where the government acquires your ageing flat well before the lease runs out, compensates you at market value, and offers you a brand new home.


But in 2025, Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat made it clear: SERS will remain extremely rare, and the focus will shift towards VERS (Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme) starting in the first half of the 2030s.


What Is VERS?

VERS is designed for flats around 70 years old, giving owners the choice to sell back to the government before their 99-year lease runs out. Unlike SERS, it’s not automatic, and compensation is expected to be less generous since the flats will be older and have less remaining lease value.

Key differences from SERS:

  • Voluntary participation – precincts must vote to opt in.

  • Older flats – typically 70+ years into lease.

  • Lower compensation – compared to SERS, as flats will be closer to lease expiry.

  • Longer timeline – redevelopment will take decades, with projects rolled out progressively.


Why the Shift Away from SERS

SERS has always been rare, benefiting only about 5% of HDB flats. The government has emphasised that redeveloping entire towns or estates will be a massive, decades-long effort, so resources must be managed carefully.

VERS allows for more planned, financially sustainable redevelopment, without raising unrealistic expectations among homeowners.


What This Means for Current HDB Owners

If you’re eyeing older flats for the potential “SERS windfall”:

  • The odds are now even slimmer — SERS will be extremely selective.

  • VERS is not designed as a windfall — it’s more about orderly redevelopment and giving homeowners options before lease expiry.

  • If you buy a flat today that’s already 40–50 years old, VERS might only come in decades later.


The Bottom Line

VERS is about planned, long-term renewal — not overnight payouts. For owners and buyers, the safest move is to plan your property journey based on real housing needs, not elusive government acquisitions.


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