Quote Originally Posted by MsMisato View Post
Not defending SE, but the housing website specifically stated new wards are free for all for the first purchase, afterwards and in any other wards, homes that are relocated from, relinquished, and demolished and what not will be placed on a timer.
The problem is that, despite the information on the website being accurate, people were buying houses in the new wards then relocating from that new house to another house. The plot has then been bought and relinquished and is no longer on its first purchase, so the timer applies.

Basically it's an unfortunate oversight that they may learn from and plan for next time.