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Managing disputes
Real estate salespersons can find out how to manage disputes with their clients or other salespersons.
Last updated 20 August 2025
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As real estate salespersons (RESs) frequently interact with other parties during property transactions, disputes may arise.
Co-broking disputes
If a dispute arises between you and another RES with regard to co-broking, both of you should come together to resolve it. You may also wish to reach out to the Key Executive Officer (KEO) of the co-broking estate agent (EA) to address your concerns.
Alternatively, if you are a member of an Industry Association, you can also consider approaching them or seek independent advice.
Dispute resolution scheme
If a dispute arises between you and your client, your client may approach your EA to resolve the dispute. For more information, you can refer to the dispute resolution webpage for consumers.
If a client decides to initiate CEA’s Dispute Resolution Scheme, EAs and RESs must participate in the dispute resolution process.
The Dispute Resolution Scheme offers two options:
Mediation: A neutral mediator facilitates discussions between the EA and client to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. The mediator guides the process but does not impose decisions on either party.
Arbitration: An arbitrator evaluates both parties' positions and makes a binding decision that both parties must accept.
It is the client’s decision whether to proceed with mediation or arbitration.
Mediation
This involves engaging a neutral party, such as a mediator, to facilitate the dispute and come to a mutually acceptable agreement. The decision is made by both parties – client and EA, not the mediator.
Once the EA has written to the client to request mediation, they will need to select a mediation centre within four weeks from the date of request.
The approved mediation centres are:
If the dispute cannot be resolved through mediation, it would have to be resolved through arbitration, including situations where:
The client chooses not to mediate
The client fails to select a mediation centre
The client fails to inform the EA that they are agreeable to mediation
The dispute is not resolved within six weeks from the date the client is informed of the first mediation session
The client can choose to opt out of arbitration at this stage.
Arbitration
Under arbitration, an arbitrator will be appointed to make a binding decision after considering the issues of both parties.
The client can choose to resolve the dispute through arbitration after writing to the EA, or if he/ she is unable to reach a settlement with the EA through mediation.
You may refer the dispute to the following approved arbitration centres:
When the EA writes to the client to enquire about arbitration, the client should reply within three weeks from the receipt of the enquiry.
After selecting the approved arbitration centre, the client can commence arbitration.
If the client chooses not to reply or arbitrate within three weeks of the EA’s enquiry, or if they do not commence arbitration proceedings at the selected arbitration centre within three weeks after they have replied to the EA, the client and EA will not be bound to proceed to arbitration.
You may refer to the Estate Agents (Dispute Resolution Schemes) Regulations 2011 (PDF, 38KB) for more information.
Fees for CEA-approved mediation centres
Here are the mediation fees for CEA-approved mediation centres
a. Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) Mediation Fees
Claim Range | Member (CASE) | Non-Member | Business |
Below $5,000 | $37.45 | $85.60 | $85.60 |
$5,000 - $10,000 | $37.45 | $85.60 | $85.60 |
$10,001 - $20,000 | $53.50 | $128.40 | $128.40 |
$20,001 - $30,000 | $133.75 | $214.00 | $214.00 |
$30,001 - $40,000 | $240.75 | $321.00 | $321.00 |
Above $40,000 | $347.75 | $428.00 | $428.00 |
b. Singapore Institute of Surveyors & Valuers (SISV) Mediation Fees
Quantum of Claim | Mediation Fees |
Below $15,000 | $200 plus GST per party per 2 hour session |
$15,000 up to $30,000 | $250 plus GST per party per 2 hour session |
Above $30,000 up to $60,000 | $350 plus GST per party per 2 hour session |
Above $60,000 up to $100,000 | $500 plus GST per party per day |
Above $100,000 up to $250,000 | $800 plus GST per party per day |
Above $250,000 up to $500,000 | $1,500 plus GST per party per day |
Above $500,000 up to $1mil | $2,000 plus GST per party per day |
Above $1mil up to $2.5mil | $2,500 plus GST per party per day |
Above $2.5mil up to $5mil | $3,000 plus GST per party per day |
Above $5mil | $3,500 plus GST per party per day |
The mediation fee payable per party includes complimentary use of the SISV Dispute Resolution Centre's facilities for up to 2 hours
Cost for additional mediation sessions required as decided by the parties shall be payable as follows:
Mediator's fees: As indicated above
Room Charges: $50 per hour plus GST
All other costs incurred for the conduct of the mediation shall be reimbursed by the parties on 50:50 basis
c. Singapore Mediation Centre (SMC) Mediation Fees
Quantum of Claim | Mediation Fees |
Below $30,000 | $600 |
$30,001 to $100,000 | $2,300 |
Above $100k up to $250k | $1,200 per party per day |
Above $250k up to $500k | $1,800 per party per day |
Above $500k up to $1mil | $2,200 per party per day |
Above $1mil up to $2.5mil | $2,600 per party per day |
Above $2.5mil up to $5mil | $2,800 per party per day |
Above $5mil | $2,900 per party per day plus pro-rated portion of 0.05% of the quantum above $5mil |
Fees for CEA-approved arbitration centres
Here are the arbitration fees for CEA-approved arbitration centres
a. Singapore Institute of Arbitrators Arbitration Fees
Disputed Sum** | Arbitration Fees |
Up to $60k | Admin fee of $750 + arbitrator's fees of 20% of the sum in dispute, subject to a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $2,500 |
Above $60k | Admin fee of $2,000 + arbitrator's fees of 10% of the sum in dispute, subject to maximum of $25,000 |
Above $1,000,000 | Admin fee of $3,000 + arbitrator's fees of $25,000 plus 0.5% of the sum in dispute above $1,000,000, subject to a fee cap of $50,000 |
Up to $60k | Admin fee of $750 + arbitrator's fees of 40% of the sum in dispute, subject to a minimum of $2,000 and a maximum of $5,000 |
Above $60k | Admin fee of $2,000 + arbitrator's fees of 20% of the sum in dispute, subject to maximum of $50,000 |
Above $1,000,000 | Admin fee of $3,000 + arbitrator's fees of $50,000 plus 0.5% of the sum in dispute above $1,000,000 , subject to a fee cap of $100,000. |
General Note to Singapore Institute of Arbitrators’ Scheduled Fees
Note that there would be an increase of 20% where a full reasoned award is required. The above proceeds on the basis of awards with summary reasons only.
There would only be summary reasons for a claim up to $60,000.
**Disputed sum shall be the aggregate of the maximum amounts of both the Claim and the Counterclaim, if any. Where the amount of the sum in dispute is not quantifiable, the minimum amount of fees shall be paid as an initial deposit. The Arbitrator shall from time to time be entitled to estimate or attribute a value to the matters in dispute and where this is done, the amounts of deposits and fees payable shall be adjusted accordingly.
b. Singapore Institute of Surveyors & Valuers (SISV) Arbitration Fees
Disputed Amount*** | Arbitration Fees |
Up to $60k | Admin fee of $500 + arbitrator's fees of $1,000 |
$60,001 to $80,000 | Admin fee of $500 + arbitrator's fees of $3,000 |
$80,001 to $150,000 | Admin fee of $500 + arbitrator's fees of $5,000 |
$150,001 to $200,000 | Admin fee of $500 + arbitrator's fees of $6,500 |
Above $200k | Admin fee of $500 + arbitrator's fees of $6,500 plus [5%] of the amount above $200,000, subject to cap of $23,000 |
Up to $60k | Admin fee of $500 + arbitrator's fees of $3,500 |
$60,001 to $80,000 | Admin fee of $500 + arbitrator's fees of $5,000 |
$80,001 to $150,000 | Admin fee of $500 + arbitrator's fees of $7,500 |
$150,001 to $200,000 | Admin fee of $500 + arbitrator's fees of $8,500 |
Above $200,000 | Admin fee of $500 + arbitrator's fees of $8,500 plus [5%] of the amount above $200,000, subject to cap of $25,000 |
Other charges being the support services for and in connection with the hearing
Hearing room (SISV Dispute Resolution Centre) at $50 per hour
Transcription services
Translation and interpretation services
Out-of-pocket expenses
General Note to SISV's Scheduled Fees
Admin fee includes the services provided in respect of the appointment of a sole arbitrator, decisions on challenge of an arbitrator and general administration of the arbitration file.
***Disputed Amount for this purpose shall be the sum claimed in the Request or any Counterclaim, whichever is higher or, where no specified sum is claimed, the maximum value of the disputed amount of the subject matter shall be $60,000.
Prescribed dispute resolution centres rules and annexes/ forms
Approved mediation centres
Consumer Association of Singapore (CASE)
Singapore Institute of Surveyors & Valuers (SISV)
Singapore Mediation Centre (SMC)
Approved arbitration centres
Singapore Institute of Arbitrators
Singapore Institute of Surveyors & Valuers (SISV)
SISV Form A - Commencement of Arbitration and Claimant’s Statement of Claim (PDF, 102KB)
SISV Form B - Notification of Appointment of the Arbitrator (PDF, 50KB)
SISV Form C - Notice of objections to the appointment of the Arbitrator (PDF, 50KB)
SISV Form D - Respondent’s Statement of Defence and Counterclaim (PDF, 100KB)
SISV Form E - Claimant’s Statement of Reply to Defence and Counterclaim (PDF, 102KB)