What Can White Form Applicants Buy in Hong Kong? Eligibility, Income and Asset Limits, Mortgages, HOS and White Form Secondary Market Purchases

White Form applicants can still look for more affordable subsidised housing through the Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) and the White Form Secondary Market Scheme (the White Form Secondary Market Scheme, commonly known as "白居二"). What are the eligibility requirements for White Form applicants, and what are the income and asset limits? Can White Form applicants buy HOS flats, purchase through the White Form Secondary Market Scheme, or buy Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme (GSH) flats? What is the current maximum mortgage ratio? This article summarises the key points that prospective buyers must note before applying, including White Form eligibility, HOS asset limits, White Form asset assessment, the procedure for buying in the secondary market, and the latest mortgage measures. It aims to help prospective buyers assess more quickly whether they are suitable for the latest HOS or White Form Secondary Market Scheme.

What housing can White Form applicants buy in Hong Kong? The conclusion first

In Hong Kong, “White Form” is not a type of housing. It is an application status under the Housing Authority’s subsidised home ownership schemes. In general, White Form applicants can apply for the following two types of subsidised housing:

• New HOS flats: Apply through the Housing Authority’s HOS sales programme.
• HOS secondary-market flats: Buy eligible unsold-price subsidised-sale flats through the White Form Secondary Market Scheme, commonly known as “White Form HOS Secondary Market” or “White Form Secondary Market Scheme.”

New GSH flats are primarily intended for Green Form applicants. White Form applicants generally cannot participate in the initial sale of GSH flats. However, when individual GSH flats are resold later, they may become available to White Form buyers after the required period and transfer conditions have been met. The latest transfer rules for the specific flat must be followed.

What is White Form?

“White Form” is a classification used by the Housing Authority to identify private-rental or private-property households and other eligible applicants who are not applying as eligible public rental housing tenants. Common White Form applicants include households living in private housing, as well as family members of public rental housing or other subsidised-housing households.

The main difference between White Form and Green Form is whether the applicant is applying as an eligible public rental housing or Hong Kong Housing Society rental-estate household. White Form applicants generally have to undergo a household-income and asset assessment, whereas Green Form applicants are mainly assessed according to their public rental housing or other Green Form eligibility.

For each sales programme, the Housing Authority separately sets requirements concerning age, family composition, income, assets, length of residence in Hong Kong, and ownership of residential property. Meeting the requirements for a previous programme does not necessarily mean that an applicant will meet the requirements for the next programme.

Basic eligibility requirements for White Form applicants

Households in private housing and family members of subsidised-housing households

Under the Housing Authority’s HOS eligibility criteria, the following people may generally apply for HOS under White Form status after meeting the detailed requirements of the relevant programme:

- Households in private housing;

- Family members of Housing Authority public rental housing households;

- Family members of Hong Kong Housing Society rental-estate households; and

- Family members of households living in units under other subsidised-housing schemes.

Some owners under the Tenants Purchase Scheme and recognised family members listed in the household record may also benefit from special White Form application arrangements. Such applicants may not be subject to the usual income and asset limits, but they must still comply with restrictions on residential-property ownership and other specified conditions. Because these arrangements have specific scopes and exceptions, applicants should read the application guide for the relevant programme carefully before applying.

Age and residence requirements

Taking the “HOS 2025” White Form application guide as an example, an applicant must be at least 18 years old on the application deadline and must have resided in Hong Kong for at least seven years. The applicant and family members listed on the application form generally must have the right to land in Hong Kong. People without the right to land in Hong Kong cannot be included on the application form.

Restrictions on ownership of residential property

The White Form applicant and family members listed on the application form generally must not have owned or jointly owned residential property in Hong Kong during the specified restricted period. The scope may include uncompleted private residential property, land for residential use, small-house land grants, and interests in residential property held through a company.

Taking “HOS 2025” as an example, the applicant and family members must not own or jointly own residential property in Hong Kong from 24 months before the application deadline until the date on which the agreement for sale and purchase of the HOS flat is signed. The actual restricted period and calculation method must be determined by the application guide for the relevant programme.

No duplicate enjoyment of housing subsidies

Applicants and family members listed on the application form must not receive duplicate benefits from the Housing Authority, the Housing Society, or other designated subsidised home ownership schemes for the same home purchase arrangement. People who previously applied for but did not successfully purchase a subsidised-sale flat generally do not lose the right to apply again solely because their previous application was unsuccessful, provided that they still meet the requirements of the relevant programme.

Married applicants should also note that their spouse generally must be included on the same application form. Exceptions may apply in situations such as a legal divorce, the death of the spouse, or the spouse not having the right to land in Hong Kong.

What are the 2026 White Form income and asset limits? How are HOS asset limits calculated?

Many people search for “HOS asset limit,” “White Form asset cap,” and “White Form asset limit.” In practice, these terms mainly refer to the upper limit on a White Form applicant household’s total net assets under the relevant HOS or White Form Secondary Market Scheme. Taking the White Form limits announced by the Housing Authority for “HOS 2025” as an example, the household income and asset limits are as follows:

| Household size | Maximum total monthly household income | Maximum total household net assets |
| --- | --- | --- |
| One person | HK$30,000 | HK$615,000 |
| Two or more people | HK$60,000 | HK$1,230,000 |

When calculating income, the Housing Authority handles mandatory contributions to the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) or recognised occupational retirement schemes according to its rules. MPF is calculated at the statutory rate of 5% or the actual contribution amount, subject to a monthly cap of HK$1,500 and other restrictions. Voluntary additional contributions generally cannot be deducted.

White Form asset assessments generally include assets in Hong Kong and outside Hong Kong. Applicants should retain supporting documents for bank deposits, investments, insurance, property, and other assets so that the Housing Authority can conduct a detailed assessment. In other words, the White Form asset cap is not based solely on the balance of Hong Kong bank accounts; other assessable assets may also be relevant.

What is the White Form Secondary Market income and asset declaration form?

When applying for the White Form Secondary Market Scheme, eligible applicants must complete the income and asset declaration form required by the Housing Authority. They must declare the income, net assets, and relevant information of the applicant and family members. The Housing Authority may require applicants to submit bank statements, payslips, tax documents, investment or insurance records, and other supporting documents. Applicants should follow the calculation methods set out in the application guide and retain complete records to avoid affecting the eligibility assessment because of inconsistent information.

Important reminder: The figures above are the limits for “HOS 2025” and should not be treated as permanent standards for every year. When applying for a new HOS or White Form Secondary Market Scheme, applicants should follow the latest figures announced by the Housing Authority.

What is the current maximum mortgage ratio for White Form buyers?

Taking the “HOS 2025” mortgage arrangements as an example, the maximum mortgage ratio for White Form buyers is generally 90% of the flat price. In theory, this means that buyers need to prepare at least a 10% down payment. The current upper limit for Green Form buyers may be as high as 95%, but the mortgage arrangements for White Form and Green Form buyers are different.

When White Form buyers purchase a new HOS flat or an eligible subsidised-sale flat in the secondary market, the mortgage repayment period is generally up to 30 years. The Housing Authority does not guarantee that a bank will approve the maximum mortgage ratio or any mortgage loan. Banks will still assess applications based on the applicant’s income, liabilities, credit history, property price, and property condition.

2026 Policy Address: White Form families with a newborn may obtain a mortgage of up to 95%

The 2026 Policy Address announced that, starting from the next HOS sales programme, the maximum mortgage ratio for White Form family applicants with a newborn baby will be increased to 95% to reduce the down-payment burden. Using a flat priced at HK$3 million as a simple comparison, the theoretical down payment under the current 90% mortgage would be about HK$300,000. If the mortgage ratio is increased to 95%, the theoretical down payment would be about HK$150,000—a difference of approximately HK$150,000. The actual cash required will still include legal fees, stamp duty, mortgage-related charges, and other transaction expenses.

This arrangement will apply from the next HOS sales programme and is intended for White Form family applicants with a newborn baby, not all White Form applicants. Details such as the baby’s date of birth, inclusion of the baby as a family member, and the timing of the application and flat selection will have to await the Housing Authority’s implementation guidelines. Even if the maximum limit is increased to 95%, this does not mean that every applicant will necessarily receive a 95% mortgage from a bank. Applicants must still satisfy the requirements of the Housing Authority, the mortgage guarantee arrangements, and the bank’s approval criteria.

Can White Form applicants buy HOS flats?

Yes. White Form applicants can participate in the Housing Authority’s public application for the Home Ownership Scheme and purchase new HOS flats offered in that sales programme.

The usual process is to submit an application first and then participate in the ballot. Applicants invited to select a flat choose from the remaining units in the order determined by their application category and ballot result. The allocation ratio between White Form and Green Form applicants, priority flat-selection schemes, and available units are announced for each sales programme.

Starting from HOS 2025, the Housing Authority adjusted the allocation ratio between White Form and Green Form applicants to 50:50. Whether this ratio will remain the same in future programmes must be determined by the announcement for the relevant new programme.

White Form applicants may also qualify for additional arrangements such as the Family with Elderly Persons Priority Scheme, the Family with Newborn Priority Scheme, or youth schemes. These schemes have additional requirements concerning age, family composition, owner status, and cohabitation, so eligibility cannot be determined solely by applying the general White Form criteria.

What is White Form HOS Secondary Market? Can White Form applicants buy HOS flats in the secondary market?

Yes. The formal name of White Form HOS Secondary Market is the “White Form Secondary Market Scheme.” It allows eligible White Form applicants to purchase subsidised-sale flats that have not had the premium paid.

White Form HOS Secondary Market is different from directly purchasing a new HOS flat. Applicants must first apply for the relevant White Form Secondary Market Scheme. After being allocated eligibility, they may obtain a Certificate of Eligibility to Purchase and the relevant nomination documents, and then look for an eligible flat in the secondary market.

Units that may be covered by the scheme include:

- HOS flats in the Housing Authority’s secondary market;

- Some units in the Housing Society’s Home Ownership Scheme secondary market; and

- Individual GSH or Tenants Purchase Scheme units that meet the transfer conditions.

The Housing Authority states that transactions in the HOS secondary market are broadly similar to ordinary property transactions. The buyer and seller may negotiate the price directly or transact through an estate agent. However, the buyer must meet the White Form Secondary Market eligibility requirements and must apply for the required Certificate of Eligibility to Purchase and nomination letter.

 What restrictions apply after buying through White Form HOS Secondary Market?

After a White Form Secondary Market buyer purchases an unsold-price flat, the flat remains subject to transfer restrictions. Taking information for “White Form HOS Secondary Market 2025” as an example, the buyer generally cannot resell the flat in the Housing Authority or Housing Society secondary market within two years from the date of the deed of assignment, and the Housing Authority or Housing Society will not buy back the flat during that period.

If the buyer later wishes to sell the flat on the open market, lease it, or transfer it in another way, the premium issue generally must first be dealt with. The premium amount and the time when the premium may be paid depend on the estate, the initial sales scheme, and the individual transfer restrictions. Before signing a provisional agreement for sale and purchase, buyers should verify the position with the Housing Authority, the Housing Society, and a solicitor.

Can White Form applicants buy GSH flats?

Generally, White Form applicants cannot apply for new GSH flats. GSH is mainly intended for Housing Authority public rental housing households and other eligible Green Form applicants.

However, when a GSH flat is resold in the secondary market, buyer eligibility may vary depending on the year in which the flat was first offered for sale, the date of the deed of assignment, and the policy of the Housing Authority at that time. Some GSH flats may become available to White Form applicants after a specified period, while others may remain restricted to Green Form applicants.

Therefore, it is not accurate to say broadly that “White Form applicants can never buy GSH flats,” nor is it accurate to say that “White Form applicants can apply directly for GSH.” The correct approach is to check the flat’s Certificate of Availability for Sale, transfer restrictions, and the Housing Authority’s latest eligibility requirements on a case-by-case basis.

Comparison of White Form, HOS, and White Form HOS Secondary Market eligibility

What should applicants check before applying for White Form or White Form HOS Secondary Market?

Applicants can conduct a self-check in the following order:

• Are they at least 18 years old and do they meet the residence-period requirement of the relevant programme?
• Do they and all family members have no Hong Kong residential property during the restricted period?
• Are their total monthly household income and total household assets below the current limits?
• If married, do they need to include their spouse on the same application?
• Have they previously received other housing subsidies, and would this constitute duplicate enjoyment of a subsidy?
• Are they applying for a new HOS flat, White Form HOS Secondary Market, or GSH? The eligibility requirements for the three are different.
• If buying a secondary-market flat, does that flat satisfy the transfer conditions for White Form buyers?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is White Form the same as being a non-public-housing resident?

Not completely. Households in private housing are generally White Form applicants, but family members of public rental housing or Housing Society rental-estate households may also apply under White Form if they meet the relevant conditions. Final eligibility depends on the definition in the relevant programme.

Can a one-person White Form applicant buy an HOS flat?

Yes. White Form HOS programmes generally accept one-person applications, but the quota, ballot chances, and arrangements for the units they may purchase may differ from those for family applicants.

Must White Form applicants definitely have no property?

Generally, the applicant and family members listed on the application form must not own or jointly own Hong Kong residential property during the specified period. Restrictions on residential property generally cover more than completed private housing and may also include uncompleted property, residential land, and certain property interests held by companies.

How are the White Form asset limit and White Form asset cap calculated?

The White Form asset limit is generally calculated based on total household net assets, using the definitions and limits set out in the application guide for the relevant HOS or White Form Secondary Market Scheme. The asset assessment may cover assets in Hong Kong and overseas. Applicants should not estimate their White Form asset limit based only on bank deposits.

 If White Form income exceeds the limit, can the applicant still apply for HOS?

Generally, an applicant cannot apply for the relevant HOS or White Form Secondary Market Scheme under ordinary White Form eligibility if the income exceeds the limit. However, individual programmes may include special arrangements, such as White Form application arrangements for certain Tenants Purchase Scheme owners. The application guide for the relevant programme should be followed.

 Can White Form applicants apply for GSH?

Generally, they cannot apply for new GSH flats because GSH is mainly intended for Green Form applicants. For GSH flats resold later, applicants must check whether the individual flat has become available to White Form buyers.

What mortgage ratio can White Form buyers currently borrow?

Under the HOS 2025 arrangements, White Form buyers can generally borrow up to 90% of the flat price, with a repayment period generally up to 30 years. The 2026 Policy Address announced that, starting from the next HOS sales programme, the maximum mortgage ratio for White Form family applicants with a newborn baby will increase to 95%. The actual eligibility requirements and approval process remain subject to the detailed arrangements to be announced by the Housing Authority and participating banks.

The two main home-purchase routes worth noting for White Form applicants

For most White Form applicants, the two main routes to subsidised home ownership are applying for a new HOS flat and applying for White Form HOS Secondary Market to purchase a secondary-market flat. The current general mortgage limit for White Form HOS buyers is 90%. The 2026 Policy Address introduces a new arrangement under which White Form families with a newborn baby may obtain a mortgage of up to 95% starting from the next HOS programme. GSH remains primarily a Green Form scheme and should not be confused with HOS or White Form HOS Secondary Market.

Because income and asset limits, quotas, application dates, property restrictions, and transfer rules may change from one programme to another, applicants should consult the Housing Authority’s current announcement, application guide, and sales information directly before applying. For a property transaction, they should also ask a solicitor to verify the flat’s transfer restrictions and any premium liability.