Inspections
Main Focus of the Inspectors
The inspections will concentrate mainly on the following sections of the Act and the Code of Conduct:
Section 26 – which prohibits any person from performing any act as an estate agent unless a valid fidelity fund certificate has been issued to him/her.
Auditing of the Trust Account
Section 29 read with Section 32 – which prescribe that an estate agent shall in respect of his activities as such keep accounting records which fairly reflect and explain the state-of-affairs of the trust account.
The accounting records must be audited by an auditor within four months after the date of the financial year-end.
Submission of an Auditor’s Report
- Section 32 (4) – an auditor shall transmit a report to the EAAB and submit a copy to the relevant estate agent.
- Section 32 (5) – the EAAB may, on good cause, order an estate agent to submit an audited statement fully setting out the state of affairs of the trust account
General Findings from Inspections
- Trust accounts not properly designated;
- The audit reports submitted did not reflect the correct position of the business;
- Estate agent/ agent/branch operating illegally;
- Improper conduct where practices which obviously contravene the Code of Conduct;
Estate Agency Affairs Act, 1976: Download
