Disputes with neighbours are wide-ranging. They include causing excessive noise, littering, misuse or obstruction of common property, display of unacceptable behaviour and allowing one's animal to trespass on another's place of residence.
Various means of resolving disputes are available, including community mediation and filing a claim at the Community Dispute Resolution Tribunals (CDRT). However, neighbours should only consider starting proceedings in the CDRT after all self-help options, including community mediation, have been attempted and exhausted.
See also: section on Harassment/Stalking
A. General
Community Dispute Management Framework
Information published by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth on the resolution of community disputes including:
B. Self-help Options
Community Mediation Centre (CMC)
The CMC provides mediation services to residents in Singapore who face social, relational and community disputes. Click on the links below for information on:
C. Legal Remedies
Community and Neighbour Disputes
The Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals hear disputes under the Community Disputes Resolution Act between neighbours which involve acts of unreasonable interference with the enjoyment or use of places of residence. Information about the tribunal's processes and procedures are published on the Singapore Courts website including:
A Guide to Neighbour Dispute Claims
Guidebook to filing a claim in the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals. Written by the Community Justice and Tribunals Division of the State Courts (Feb 2020)
A. Self-help Options
1. Community Mediation Centre
CMC provides mediation for disputes between neighbours.
Add: 45 Maxwell Road, #07-11 URA Centre (East Wing), Singapore 069118
Tel: 1800 2255 529
Application: Apply online; Refer a case to CMC (by agencies)
2. Community Justice Centre (Primary Justice Project)
PJP aims to provide litigants with affordable solutions to their legal issues by exploring possibilities of dispute resolutions rather than taking costly legal actions in court. Coverage includes harassment cases and neighbour disputes.
Add: 1 Havelock Square, #B1-6/7/8 State Courts, Singapore 059724
Tel: +65 6557 4100
Email: help@cjc.org.sg
B. Legal Remedies
Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (State Courts)
The CDRT hears cases under the Community Disputes Resolution Act which created a new statutory tort of interfering with the enjoyment or use of places of residence.
Add: 1 Havelock Square, Level 3 State Courts, Singapore 059724
Tel: +65 6587 8423
Form: Write to Singapore Courts
File online: Community Justice and Tribunals System (CJTS).
Refer to the following statutes and related subsidiary legislation on Singapore Statutes Online:
See also:
SG Courts: Forms
a. Application for Community Courts and Tribunals Friend (Form 99)
b. Filter by scrolling down to "Protection from harassment" under All topics. A selection of forms is listed here:
