Can you buy a new launch for P1 registration?
Primary 1 registration is one of the most stress event for parents, as places are limited, especially for good and popular schools. Home-school distance plays a very important part in determining a child’s priority as it is a key criteria when it comes to balloting. You can refer to SG Schooling’s ballot history to know how competitive primary schools are.
Parents often move house in order to secure a home address that is within 1km of their desired school.
It is possible to rent, buy a resale or buy a new launch just to lay your hands on a good home address.
Renting and buying a resale is straight forward, as you will be collecting your keys almost immediately. What is often less understood is buying a new launch, since it will TOP a few years later. This post will explain if you can, or cannot buy.
Using new launch address
You can purchase a new launch project that is still under construction and use the address during P1 registration exercise. You must produce the relevant documents to the school during the phase that you will be enrolling your child.
- HDB: Agreement For Lease
- Private: Sales & Purchase agreement
The vacant or delivery possession date of the new property you are moving in must be within 2 years of your child’s entry into P1.
For example, if your child starts P1 in Jan 2025, then the TOP should be latest Dec 2026. However, you can appeal to MOE if the TOP is not too far off. Moreover, TOP is just an estimate – it can be completed earlier.
Required to stay 30 months
The child is required to stay in the registered address 30 months (2.5 years) AFTER the P1 registration exercise. This is to ensure the child indeed stays near to the school.
In the case of new launch project, the 30 months requirement starts from your move in date.
Do note this requirement is only imposed if your child is admitted due to the home-school distance priority; if there is no balloting, then entry into the school is not because of the address, then you’re not restricted.
Should you buy a new launch?
We have clarified how you can buy a new launch and use the home address for P1 registration.
Whether you buy or not depends on the ballot history of the school. Looking up sgschooling.com, you can determine your chances from the past ballot result. If balloting happens in the 1-2km, then if you have a high chance if you stay within 1km.
If you can afford to wait, buying a new launch is often better than a resale because of it’s appreciation rate and the progressive payment. And who is not to love a shiny new home.
