EAAB not effective

EDITOR – After reading yet another very disturbing article in a recent Highway Mail I felt compelled to write in so the public are aware of their rights regarding engaging an estate agent.

This applies whether you are an owner renting out your property or a potential tenant wanting to rent a property. The same applies to sellers selling their homes or buyers buying a home.

With the Estate Agent Affairs Board (EAAB) now clamping down on unscrupulous agencies and agents, gone are the days where any Tom, Dick or Harry can become an estate agent.

There are strict procedures in place whereby potential agents have to register as an intern for 12 months under the mentorship of a qualified agent. Subsequently they are issued with an Intern Fidelity Fund certificate.

After their 12 months are complete they are then able to register to complete their NQ4 certificate. On completion and passing of this they then apply for their full status Fidelity Fund Certificate (FFC).

These certificates are renewable annually before 31 October of that year. The certificate comes with a tear off section which can be folded and kept in your purse or wallet.

It is strongly advisable for anyone engaging the services of an estate agent to request to see their FFC as the consumer you are fully within your rights to do so.

None of us would visit a doctor who doesn’t have a medical degree and who is not qualified to diagnose you, so why take the risk with your biggest investment?

The EAAB has an elaborate website where there is a list of registered agencies and there is also a facility for “whistleblowing” so these unqualified agents in the industry can be reported and dealt with.

Angela De Villiers

Hillcrest