Two upcoming Executive Condominium projects have moved one step closer to launch.
The Senja Close EC site in Bukit Panjang and the first Woodlands Drive 17 EC site near Woodlands South MRT have both been awarded to City Developments Limited.
However, the projects have not been launched for sale yet. Buyers should also understand that purchasing a new EC involves more eligibility checks, financing rules and paperwork than buying an ordinary private condominium.
The important message is simple:
If you are considering an EC, do not wait until the showflat opens before checking whether you can actually buy one.
The two upcoming EC sites
| Project | Developer | Estimated units | Land price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senja Close EC | CDL | Approximately 295 units | S$252.9 million, about S$771 psf ppr |
| Woodlands Drive 17 EC — first site | CDL | Approximately 420 units | S$360.9 million, about S$782 psf ppr |
Senja Close EC is expected to be the first new EC project in Bukit Panjang in more than a decade.
The Woodlands Drive 17 EC site is within walking distance of Woodlands South MRT Station on the Thomson-East Coast Line. It is also close to Woodlands Health Campus and the wider Woodlands Regional Centre.
Both projects are currently expected to launch around late 2026 or early 2027, although the actual launch timing will depend on the developer’s preparations and approvals. ERA Research and Market Intelligence
There is also a second Woodlands Drive 17 EC site, which was awarded separately to Sim Lian. That site is expected to yield approximately 560 units and should not be confused with the first 420-unit CDL project.
These ECs are under the earlier rules
The Government announced new EC measures on 8 May 2026.
For future EC sites affected by the new rules:
- The Minimum Occupation Period will increase from five years to ten years.
- The Deferred Payment Scheme will no longer be available.
- 90% of units must be reserved for first-time buyers.
- The priority period for first-time buyers will be extended from one month to two years.
However, Senja Close and the two Woodlands Drive 17 sites are not affected by these new measures because their tenders were awarded before the policy change. The Straits Times reported on the EC rule changes here.
This means these projects may still offer advantages such as:
- The existing five-year MOP framework;
- Possible availability of the Deferred Payment Scheme;
- The earlier priority arrangement for first-time buyers.
However, the availability of DPS is subject to the developer’s final sales scheme. Buyers should not assume that every project or every unit will automatically offer it.
Why must buyers prepare so early?
A new EC is not simply a matter of choosing a unit and paying the booking fee.
Before you can buy, you need to check several areas.
1. EC eligibility
The household income ceiling for buying a new EC from a developer is currently S$16,000 per month.
Applicants must also meet the citizenship, family nucleus and previous housing ownership requirements.
In addition, buyers and essential occupiers generally must not own or have disposed of private property locally or overseas within the relevant 30-month period before applying. Existing HDB flat owners must also fulfil the required MOP before applying. HDB EC eligibility requirements
These checks can become complicated if:
- One applicant owns an overseas property;
- The family previously owned an EC or subsidised flat;
- The existing HDB flat has not reached MOP;
- The buyer recently sold a private property;
- A resale levy may be payable;
- The applicants’ family structure has changed.
This is why checking only a few weeks before launch may be too late.
2. Financing must be checked separately
A new EC bought from a developer requires a bank loan. HDB does not provide an HDB loan for this purchase.
Your income, existing loans, car loan, credit facilities, age, CPF funds and cash savings will all affect how much you can borrow and how much you need to prepare upfront.
An attractive selling price does not automatically mean the unit is affordable for your specific situation.
Buyers should prepare:
- An estimated bank loan assessment;
- CPF and cash calculations;
- Monthly instalment estimates;
- The amount required before completion;
- A plan for the existing HDB flat;
- A backup plan if the preferred unit is beyond budget.
The earlier this is done, the more time buyers have to adjust their budget or consider a smaller unit type.
3. Existing HDB owners need a transition plan
Many EC buyers are HDB upgraders.
They may need to decide:
- When to sell their current flat;
- Whether they need temporary accommodation;
- How much cash and CPF will be available;
- Whether they can manage the payment schedule;
- Whether the existing flat must be sold within the required timeline after taking possession of the EC.
This cannot be planned properly at the last minute.
My experience with Rivelle Tampines
For Rivelle Tampines EC, some buyers I assisted started preparing as early as December 2025, even though the project opened for booking several months later.
That early preparation gave them time to:
- Review their eligibility;
- Understand their financial position;
- Compare unit types;
- Plan the sale of their existing property;
- Decide on a realistic purchase budget;
- Prepare the necessary documents.
By the time the launch arrived, they were not starting from zero.
That is the approach buyers should take for Senja EC and Woodlands South EC as well.
Who should start preparing now?
These projects may be suitable for:
- HDB owners who have fulfilled their MOP;
- First-time buyers who meet the EC criteria;
- Second-timer buyers who understand the applicable conditions;
- Buyers who want a new home with private condominium facilities;
- Buyers who can wait for construction and eventual completion;
- Families who are comfortable with the EC ownership restrictions.
They may be less suitable for buyers who:
- Need to move into a home immediately;
- Are relying on an uncertain loan amount;
- Still own private property and have not met the wait-out period;
- Have not fulfilled their current flat’s MOP;
- Cannot manage the upfront payment requirements;
- Are buying only because they expect a quick investment gain.
Final thoughts
Senja EC and the first Woodlands South EC are attracting attention because EC supply remains limited and both sites were awarded under the earlier EC framework.
But the old rules do not mean that the purchase is simple.
Eligibility, financing, CPF usage, existing-property disposal and sales priority all need to be understood before the launch.
The right time to start is not when the showflat opens.
It is several months earlier.
If you are considering Senja EC, Woodlands South EC or another upcoming EC, you can WhatsApp Edward for an early eligibility and affordability discussion.
Project details, launch dates, pricing and sales schemes are subject to change. Buyers should confirm the latest information with the developer and relevant authorities before making any purchase decision.