Be fair to both private property owners and HDB dwellers

I echo the views voiced in the letter “Flats should be for those with real housing needs”, in contrast to “Barring private owners from HDB market is the right call” (both Nov 25).

The issue is about equity for basically the same group of citizens and taxpayers. Owners of a private home must sell it and wait 30 months to be eligible to downgrade to a Build-to-Order flat, whereas Housing and Development Board flat owners can invest in private property as long as their official address is the HDB residence.

If the rationale that flats should be for those with real housing needs holds, then both groups should be barred from owning an HDB flat if they own a private property.

HDB flat owners who buy private property should be given a certain time to sell their flat.

If this rule is kept unchanged, by the same token, it would only be fair to allow private property owners to buy a BTO flat without the 30-month wait.

This would also address the issue of retirees who need to downgrade when their years of strong earning power are over.