Tenancy Agreement: Only scanned copy at hand

[chronoel]

Hi,

We recently moved in to a new place. We already signed the contract. However, the hard copy is not yet on our hands.

The agent said we sign first then the he'll give the paper to the landlord for his signature.

W already want the contract but the agent said he has no time to drop by so he gave a scanned copy instead, for the moment..

The scanned version already has the signature of the landlord and no alteration was made.

In case of disputes, will the scanned copy suffice as evidence of our agreement?

Hope to know your opinions.

Regards

[beppi]

A rental agreement in Singapore is only valid if it is officially stamped and you paid the stamp duty.
But many exist without, which basically just means you have to solve conflicts yourself and cannot go the official way (court) - which is preferable in any case.

[chronoel]

So does this mean the landlord has the advantage in here?

[beppi]

How so?

[taxico]

print the copy out, bring it to IRAS for stamping or ask the agent to do so.

imo the scanned copy is as good as the original.

[JR8]

In case of disputes, will the scanned copy suffice as evidence of our agreement?

Yes, absolutely.

(As an example, you can even have a verbal contract).


p.s. Interesting point re stamp duty.
I'm familiar with the scenario, but would wish to question the suggestion that something is inadmissable in evidence simply because I've not paid some government levied freakin tax.