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Borrowing rules guide
MSR vs TDSR Singapore
The two rules that determine how much home loan you can borrow.
Last updated: March 2026
Quick Difference
| Rule | Limit | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| TDSR | 55% of income | All property loans |
| MSR | 30% of income | HDB and EC |
Banks check these ratios before approving your mortgage.
TDSR Explained
TDSR
(total monthly debt)
(gross monthly income)
Limit
55%
Example TDSR
Monthly income
S$8,000
Maximum debt allowed
S$8,000 x 55%
Your total monthly debt should stay below S$4,400.
MSR Explained
MSR
(monthly mortgage payment)
(gross monthly income)
Limit
30%
Example MSR
Want to test your own numbers? Use the MSR calculator.
Income
S$8,000
Maximum mortgage
S$8,000 x 30%
Mortgage payment should stay below S$2,400.
Where MSR Applies
| Property | MSR Applies |
|---|---|
| HDB flat | Yes |
| EC purchase | Yes |
| Private property | No |
When Both Rules Apply
For HDB buyers
Both MSR and TDSR apply.
The lower limit determines your loan.
4 Things That Reduce Loan Eligibility
Existing debt
Car loans or personal loans reduce borrowing capacity.
Short loan tenure
Older borrowers may face shorter loan tenure.
Interest rate stress testing
Banks assume higher rates when calculating eligibility.
Income structure
Variable income may reduce the approved loan amount.
Typical Borrower Flow
Step 1
Check eligibility using TDSR.
Step 2
Check MSR if buying HDB.
Step 3
Estimate loan size.
Step 4
Compare bank packages.
Useful Tools
TDSR calculator
Check total debt-based borrowing range.
MSR calculator
Check HDB and EC mortgage limits.
Free Consultation
Not sure how much you can borrow?
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FAQ
What is TDSR?
Debt servicing limit for all property loans.
What is MSR?
Mortgage repayment limit for HDB and EC.
Does MSR apply to private property?
No.