Government measures in key jurisdictions 2nd edition final pages - Flipbook - Page 80
Singapore
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If property owners fail to pass the rebates to their tenants/licensees or fail to comply
with the record keeping obligations, the property owner will be guilty of an offence
and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding SSGD5,000.
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On 13 May 2020, the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Transfer of Benefit of Property
Tax Remission) Regulations came into operation. It provides further details on how
owners are to pass on the rebate, including:
– the formulae for determining the prescribed amount of benefit that must be passed
on to the tenant;
– the prescribed manner and time for passing on the benefit, and
– the information to be provided to the tenant.
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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.
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Litigation
Are the courts
operating?
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The Honourable Chief Justice has directed that the Supreme Court, State Courts
and Family Justice Courts will hear only essential and urgent matters from 7 April
2020 to 1 June 2020 (“Relevant Period”).
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The three courts issued Registrar’s Circulars identifying matters which may be
considered as essential and urgent. Such matters will be heard by electronic means
of communication as far as possible, without requiring physical attendance before
the court. If physical attendance is required, safe distancing measures must be
adhered to. The essential and urgent matters differ depending on which court is
hearing the matter. For the High Court, some examples of essential and urgent civil
matters are, inter alia:
– An application for urgent injunction or search order.
– An application to set aside an injunction or search order.
– An application for the arrest or release of a vessel.
– An application for the discharge of dangerous or perishable cargo.
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All matters that were scheduled for hearing during the Relevant Period which are
not essential and urgent will be adjourned.
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As for arbitration, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (“SIAC”) has
closed its offices since 7 April 2020, but will remain fully operational as its staff are
telecommuting. All communications with SIAC are to be via e-mail.
Government measures in key jurisdictions
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