A small property agency, which was initially appointed to handle an en bloc sale in Sophia Road but was later advised to drop it, is suing the homeowners for alleged defamation.
According to the Isabel Redrup Agency, it is entitled to a sales commission, as it helped broker a S$30.8 million sale for the units.
The homeowners, however, are disputing this. They claim that the sale was done on their own. The owners later filed complaints about the agency to the police and the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA).
Susan Prior, Director of Isabel Redrup Agency, said there were defamatory words used in the complaints.
On 14 December, a pre-trial conference was held and the case has been adjourned to February 2012.
Located in Sunset Way, the Isabel Redrup Agency specialises in luxury properties, conservation homes and offices.
In 2009, the agency was hired by the owners of the nine double-storey landed properties at Sophia Road to handle the collective sale.
It found a prospective buyer in developer Aurum Land in December 2009 and negotiations continued until September 2010, according to statements filed in court.
Later, Simon Loh, who represented the other owners in the deal, advised the agency to drop the deal.
However, Aurum closed the deal directly with the owners in October 2011.
In a separate High Court suit, the agency is seeking S$723,320 in commissions, claiming it was responsible for the deal.
Related Stories:
New measures may strike developers’ ROEs
Minor International wins seven property awards
Straits Trading shifting focus to property