Singapore legislation
Section 66
Section 66
Power of Council in relation to dispute resolution schemes
(1)
Regulations may be made under section 72 to prescribe one or more dispute resolution schemes for the resolution of disputes arising from or relating to the provision of services by estate agents and salespersons.
(2)
Without limiting subsection (1), regulations may be made under section 72 —
requiring licensed estate agents or any class thereof to participate in such prescribed dispute resolution schemes and to comply with such terms and conditions of the schemes as may be prescribed;
requiring registered salespersons or any class thereof to participate in such prescribed dispute resolution schemes and to comply with such terms and conditions of the schemes as may be prescribed;
prescribing approved dispute resolution centres under each prescribed dispute resolution scheme; and
generally to give effect to this section.
(3)
Where the Council is satisfied that any licensed estate agent or registered salesperson has contravened any of the regulations mentioned in subsection (2), the Council may do all or any of the following:
impose a financial penalty of such amount, not exceeding $5,000, as the Council thinks fit;
censure the estate agent or salesperson, if the Council thinks it necessary in the public interest or for the protection of the public or any section of the public;
revoke or suspend the licence or registration, or order that the licence or registration (as the case may be) be subject to such terms or conditions as the Council may impose, whether in addition to or in substitution of the existing terms and conditions.
(4)
The Council must, before making any decision under subsection (3) in relation to an estate agent or a salesperson, give the estate agent or salesperson (as the case may be) written notice of its intention to do so.
(5)
Upon receiving the notice of the Council under subsection (4), the person concerned or any manager of the person may, within a period of 14 days after the date of the notice, show cause to the Council as to why the Council should not impose a financial penalty, censure or make an order under subsection (3)(c), as the case may be.
(6)
The Council must, after the estate agent or any manager of the estate agent or the salesperson (as the case may be) has shown cause under subsection (5) or the time to do so has expired, notify the party concerned of its decision in writing.
(7)
Subject to section 59, any decision by the Council under subsection (3) does not take effect until the end of 14 days after the Council has served the notice of the decision on the party concerned.
(8)
The Council may issue, and in its discretion publish by notification in the Gazette or in such other manner as it considers appropriate, such guidelines as it considers appropriate for providing guidance in relation to the operation of a prescribed dispute resolution scheme.