新加坡租房发生纠纷？如何DIY去新加坡小额法庭解决租房纠纷(英文版)

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Small Claims Tribunals (SCT) are a way landlords and tenants can settle rental disputes sans hefty legal fees. Rental disputes, although not frequent, can sometimes happen between a landlord and tenant. These rental spats could happen due to various disagreements over the terms of the tenancy agreement, or things that weren’t covered by it.

Here are some typical rental disputes that the SCT can help resolve:

Landlord seeking damages to amenities and appliances, as well as to the property itself

Tenant asking the landlord to fix appliances or part of the property

Early termination of the tenancy agreement by landlord or tenant

Forfeiture of tenant’s security deposit at the end of the lease

Eviction of tenant

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the procedure for filing a claim with the SCT, the filing fees, and key things to take note of.

Small Claims Tribunals: an Overview What is it?

The SCT's objective is to resolve minor claims between two parties quickly at an affordable cost.

How to file?

You can submit a claim online through the Community Justice and Tribunals System (CJTS).

How much does it cost?

You’ll only need to pay a fee of $10 to $20 to file a claim amounting to $10,000. For claims amounting to $20,000, the filing fee can reach up to $200.

What is the Small Claims Tribunals? The SCT form part of the State Courts of Singapore. Established in February 1985, its objective is to resolve minor claims between two parties quickly at an affordable cost. This includes rental disputes between tenants and landlords.

However, before seeking the assistance of the SCT, you should first try to settle the rental dispute amicably with the other party. As a tenant or landlord, you can also request for the property agent(s) involved in the rental deal (if applicable) to help with the settling of the dispute.

Key Rules to Note Before Filing a Claim at the Small Claims Tribunals

Before you lodge a claim at the SCT, do keep the following rules in mind:

You and the respondent must have entered into a valid tenancy agreement

The tenancy agreement signed must be for a residential space only, and not for commercial purposes

The tenancy period must not exceed 2 years

Both you and the respondent must not be bankrupt or insolvent. You may check for this via the Ministry of Law’s Insolvency Office

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