Small fraction of residential rent disputes involve corporate tenants; current laws protect landlords: Murali
Resources such as checklists by the Council for Estate Agencies can guide parties signing agreements, he adds
Between 2021 and 2025, approximately 1,100 to 1,840 claims relating to residential leases were filed in the Small Claims Tribunal annually, with about 1 to 2 percent involving corporate tenants and rental arrears, according to Senior Minister of State for Law Murali Pillai. In response to a request for data on unpaid rent claims against corporate tenants, Murali noted that the small claims figures provide a rough sense of the numbers, as courts do not track data at this level of detail.
Existing laws already protect landlords, holding companies liable for the commercial obligations they enter into, not their directors or shareholders. However, companies can be held personally responsible for their debts if found guilty of fraudulent or wrongful trading. Landlords are free to seek personal guarantees from company directors to mitigate fraud risks, though mandatory requirements may remove flexibility.
Simplified processes exist for residential leases of up to two years, allowing for payment of rental arrears and vacant possession through the Small Claims Tribunal or Distress Act without a full trial. Double rent can be sought under the Civil Law Act to cover delays in repossession.
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