land law

When a developer delays the delivery of a property, many purchasers are forced to bear both housing loan repayments and rental expenses at the same time, creating significant financial pressure.

To help purchasers better understand their rights, we have summarised the key points regarding LAD (Liquidated Ascertained Damages) claims below:

1. What is LAD?

LAD refers to Liquidated Ascertained Damages.

If a developer fails to deliver vacant possession within the period stipulated in the Sale and Purchase Agreement (S&P), the purchaser is generally entitled to claim compensation for the delay.

Many people purchase a property not merely as an investment, but because of a specific location, floor level, view, or even feng shui considerations. But what happens if the developer or seller keeps delaying handover, refuses to deliver the keys, or simply ignores your requests?

Most buyers’ first reaction is:

“Can I sue for compensation?”

The answer is yes.

However, if what you truly want is the property itself—not merely monetary compensation—there is another powerful legal remedy available: Specific Performance.