HDB season parking 101: From application, renewal to transfer (2023)

It can be difficult to navigate the labyrinth of government sites and pools of information. So we've come up with a guide to help you get HDB season parking and secure parking space for your car or motorcycle.

What is HDB season parking?

The HDB season parking system provides residents access to a long-term HDB parking lot. In general, booking for HDB season parking is on a monthly basis, starting from the first day of every month. They can be renewed electronically.

Priority for high occupancy HDB carpark

Before we go into the HDB season parking rate and application process, note that while there are car parks with low occupancy, there are many more car parks that have high occupancy rates. These car parks are basically in high demand, so not everyone will be able to book a season parking lot.

Moreover, as HDB car parks are primarily for HDB residents, booking for car parks with high occupancy rates will be prioritised accordingly.

1st priority group

This is for the first vehicles owned by any one of the following persons:

• HDB flat owners, tenants, authorised occupiers and approved tenants of whole flats
• Registered tenants of HDB commercial and industrial premises
• Market and hawker stallholders
• Employees of HDB shop/ offices
• The first company-registered vehicle of HDB flat owners, tenants and authorised occupiers.

Booking and renewal date: 1st of the month onwards

HDB season parking is based on a first-come, first-served basis. So for particularly high occupancy car parks, competition can be fierce. Be sure to apply or renew the moment they open it up for booking!

2nd priority group

This is for the second and subsequent vehicles owned by HDB flat owners, tenants, authorised occupiers and registered shop tenants.

Booking and renewal date: 18th of the month onwards

3rd priority group

Residents who don't own the vehicle that they're applying season parking for, as well as tenants of HDB room rentals and non-residents fall under this category.

Booking and renewal date: 21st of the month onwards

What are the rates for HDB season parking?

Normal HDB parking rates differ greatly from their season parking rates. Before we delve deep into the rates, there are a few terms to take note of.

• Tier 1 season parking rate: For residents who are registered flat owners, occupiers or tenants living in the HDB precinct served by the car park. This rate will apply for the resident's first car.
• Tier 2 season parking rate: For residents' subsequent cars, and all cars of non-residents.
• Sheltered car parks: Multi-storey car parks, landscape-deck car parks, semi-basement car parks, basement car parks and sheltered car parks.
• Special precincts: Grouping of surface and sheltered car parks.
• Commercial vehicles: Vehicles used for commercial businesses (such as vans, lorries and other light goods vehicles) exceeding 1,800kg in unladen weight. For such vehicles parking in a sheltered car park, its maximum unladen/ laden weight must not exceed 2,000kg. These vehicles must also be able to fit in the parking lot.

What are the rates for HDB season parking? 

HDB parking rates differ greatly from their season parking rates. Before we delve deep into rates, there are a few terms to take note of.

• Tier 1 season parking rate: For residents who are registered flat owners, occupants or tenants living in the HDB precinct served by the car park.
• Tier 2 season parking rate: For residents’ subsequent cars, and all cars of non-residents.
• Sheltered car parks: Multi-storey car parks, landscape-deck car parks, semi-basement car parks, basement car parks and sheltered car parks.
• Special precincts: Grouping of surface and sheltered car parks.
• Commercial vehicles: Vehicles used for commercial businesses (such as vans, lorries and other light goods vehicles), exceeding 1,800kg in unladen weight. For such vehicles parking in a sheltered car park, its maximum unladen/ laden weight must not exceed 2,000kg. These vehicles must also be able to fit in the parking lot.

How to apply for HDB season parking?

Now that you know what HDB season parking is, who can apply and how much it costs, you can start the application process!

Go to the Application for New Season Parking e-Service. Once you're logged in with your SingPass, fill in all the necessary details.

Alternatively, apply for HDB season parking through Mobile@HDB, which can be downloaded via the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.

You can pay with credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or direct debit (only DBS, UOB, OCBC and Standard Chartered Bank).

If you're applying for season parking at a high occupancy car park, you may also need to submit the following items for verification:

How to renew HDB season parking?

• There are several methods to renew HDB season parking:
• Renewal of Season Parking e-Service 
• Mobile@HDB app
• AXS machines
• GIRO
• Recurring credit card payment

If you don't want the hassle of renewing your season parking monthly, you can opt for automatic renewal via GIRO or recurring credit card payment. In fact, you can earn a two per cent rebate for each successful transaction if you opt for GIRO.

Read more about it on HDB's website.

Remember, if you're applying for season parking in a high occupancy car park, be sure to renew it as early as possible to secure a spot for yourself.

If you don't renew your HDB season parking on time, you'll incur short-term parking charges. You also won't be able to park at car park lots reserved for season parking.

Temporary transfer of HDB season parking

If you need to transfer your season parking temporarily, you can apply via the Temporary Transfer of Season Parking (TTSP) e-Service or the Mobile@HDB app.

Acceptable reasons for the transfer include:

Your vehicle broke down, and you're driving a replacement vehicle.

You need to park at another car park for a temporary period of time, for example, due to renovation at your house.

Do note that you may need to submit documents to prove that you need the temporary transfer. These can include proof of vehicle breakdowns and flat renovations.

In addition, keep in mind that the maximum period you can do this temporary transfer is 31 days, and there is no renewal of temporary season parking.

You'll also need to bear additional costs if the type of car park you're transferring to differs from the one you're originally using. If you're transferring to a car park with a lower rate or don't use the full temporary transfer period, no refunds will be given.

Permanent transfer of HDB season parking

You can also do so via the Permanent Transfer of Season Parking e-Service or the mobile app if you're changing your vehicle or car park. Approval will be subject to the availability of parking lots.

You may need to pay extra or get refunded, depending on the change in the type of vehicle or car park. For instance, if you're changing from a motorcycle (S$15) to a car (S$80), you'll need to pay the difference of S$65 for a lot in a surface car park.

How to cancel HDB season parking?

Don't need the HDB season parking anymore? You can cancel it via the Termination of Season Parking service or the Mobile@HDB app. HDB will then refund you the unused parking charges until the expiry date.

However, as season parking is for long-term parking, you can only cancel it after using it for at least one full calendar month. So for your first season parking purchase, you can either pay the full rate for the current month, or pay on a pro-rated basis for the current month and the whole of the following month.

Let's say you've bought HDB season parking from May 5 (on a pro-rated basis) to July. You won't be able to cancel it between May 5 and June 30. But you can cancel it on June 30 and get a refund for July's season parking.

Conclusion

The HDB season parking system in Singapore provides long-term parking for residents, with monthly bookings that can be renewed electronically. The system operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to first vehicles owned by HDB flat owners, tenants, and authorised occupiers. Rates vary based on the type of vehicle and car park.

Applications, renewals, and transfers can be done online or via the Mobile@HDB app. It's important to note that high-occupancy car parks are in high demand, and not everyone will be able to secure a season parking lot.

ALSO READ: 27 soon-to-be million-dollar HDB flats: Here's where you can find them

This article was first published in 99.co.