IMMEDIATE RELEASE

12 October 2011

ESTATE AGENCY AFFAIRS BOARD AMNESTY PROGRAMME ENDS 15 OCTOBER 2011

The Estate Agency Affairs Board’s (EAAB) Amnesty programme aimed at illegally operating practicing estate agency practitioners will come to an end on 15 October 2011.  The programme was extremely well received by both practicing estate agents as well as the target audience to whom it was aimed.

A multitude of telephonic and other queries was received by the EAAB, which resulted in the submission of 294 written amnesty applications.  Of these, 252 applications were approved after due and appropriate consideration, to determine whether or not the applicants were fit and proper persons to be issued with fidelity fund certificates.  Six applications were rejected under circumstances where applicants were not able to satisfy the EAAB that fidelity fund certificates should be granted to them, while 36 applications have been postponed for further investigation. 

The EAAB intends taking all measures necessary to curtail the activities of unregistered operators.  But for the implementation of the amnesty programme, some 300 estate agency practitioners who have now been brought into the regulatory fold, would still be practicing illegally, to the detriment of consumers and other stakeholders. 

The EAAB, through its inspection programme will continue to initiate appropriate measures to deal with unregistered estate agents and will utilise both civil and criminal proceedings against offenders. Members of the public are reminded that illegal operators are not entitled to receive commission or be paid for estate agency services that have been illegally undertaken.  If in doubt, consumers should contact the EAAB to ascertain whether the estate agents of their choice are valid, registered and entitled to perform the functions of an estate agent.

Ends/

Margie Campbell

Estate Agency Affairs Board

(Acting) HOD Marketing and Communications Manager

Tel: 011 731 5633

Fax: 0865 403 663

Email: margie@eaab.org.za

www.eaab.org.za