Government measures in key jurisdictions 5th edition - Flipbook - Page 117
Singapore
Property
Have any changes
been made to
the laws around
property, rent and
enforcement?
Temporary relief measures for property developers and individuals: On 6 May 2020,
the SG government announced temporary relief measures for property developers and
individuals affected by disruptions to construction timelines and sales of housing units
resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic:
•
Extension of the Project Completion Period (“PCP”) by 6 months for residential,
commercial and industrial development projects.
•
Extension of time by 6 months for the commencement and completion of residential
development, and sale of housing units in residential development projects in relation to
the remission of the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (“ABSD”) for housing developers.
•
Extension of time by 6 months for the sale of the first residential property in relation to
the remission of ABSD for the second residential property purchased by a Singaporean
married couple.
On 8 October 2020, the temporary relief measures were extended by a further 6 months.
Concessions for Collective Sale Procedures: On 6 October 2020, the Covid-19
(Temporary Measures) (Temporary Measures for Conduct of Collective Sale of Property)
Order 2020 came into operation on 6 October 2020 which provides concessions for
deadlines and procedures specified in the Land-Titles (Strata) Act (“LTSA”) on a case-bycase basis.
•
Ordinarily, the deadlines specified within the LTSA ensure that Collective Sales
Committees (“CSC”) implement the collective sale process in a timely manner.
However, some CSC’s ability to adhere to deadlines may have been genuinely and
materially affected by Covid-19. As such, CSCs may apply for concessions.
•
Only CSCs constituted before 25 March 2020 may apply for an extension, and the
chairperson of CSCs who are entitled to apply for an extension must submit the
necessary forms no later than 25 March 2021.
Litigation
•
On 29 May 2020, the Supreme Court announced that the Relevant Period (where
courts would only hear essential and urgent matters) would end on 1 June 2020.
Are the courts
operating?
•
Therefore, court hearings have resumed after 1 June 2020, with parties being directed
to strictly comply with all safe distancing and other applicable measures required
under the laws of Singapore, or prescribed by the Court, to minimise the local
transmission of Covid19. These include requirements, such as on the wearing of masks
in the Supreme Court premises.
•
The Honourable Chief Justice has directed that the use of electronic means of
communication to conduct hearings be enhanced. Selected hearings will be
conducted by video conferencing or where appropriate, telephone conferencing.
•
Where the court determines that physical attendance before the court is appropriate,
no more than two lawyers/litigants per party may appear at the hearing, unless parties
have been granted an exemption to allow additional attendees.
•
Video-conferencing will be the default option for solicitors unless otherwise directed
for the following hearings:
- Case management conferences conducted by a Registrar before the Court of Appeal
- Civil and Criminal Pre-Trial Conferences before a Registrar
Government measures in key jurisdictions
117
