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Learn the “NOs” for property agents

iProperty Singapore19 FEB 2018

GUIDES SINGAPORE PROPERTY NEWS BUY INVEST LEASE RENT

Do you know that there are some strict no-nos that your property agent should not do when he represents you in

your property transaction

#1: Agents cannot dual representIf you are buying a property, your agent should not represent the seller at the same time. Imagine, you hope to pay the

lowest possible price while the seller wants the highest possible price. Whose interests should the agent safeguard?

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Similarly, if you are paying your agent a commission to help sell or rent a property, it is an offence for him to collect the

commission from the buyer or tenant in the same transaction. If he does so, it will be considered as dual representation

under the Estate Agent Act.

However, your agent can help the other party with the paperwork as long as he has obtained your consent and it is

clear to all parties that he is not acting for the other party. Similarly, he cannot collect a fee from the other party.

#2: Agents should not advertise without your consent

You intend to sell your home and you post an advertisement online. Soon after, you discover an online advertisement

on your property quoting a lower asking price.

An agent whom you did not know had posted the advertisement on your property without your consent, and had

gotten the price wrong!

Agents must seek consent from property owners before advertising their property. They are

also not allowed to copy an advertisement and claim it as their own.

Agents should also:

Ensure that the information on the advertisement, such as floor area, is accurate. If the advertisement

shows a photograph of the property, the photograph must not be altered or enhanced in any way;

Not advertise a property price or any other terms that are different from those that you instructed;

Not use words or phrases that are against your best interest such as “already co-broke”, “no co-broke”,

“no agents”, “buyers pay commission” in the advertisement as these phrases will limit the pool of

potential interested parties; and

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Clear the advertisements with their property agencies before publication

#3: Agents should not handle money relating to certain types oftransactions

When it comes to property transactions, the money involved could vary from a few hundreds to tens of thousands of

dollars.

It is best to handle the money yourself rather than ask your agent to pass money to the payee for you. In fact, it is illegal

for agents to handle certain money related to property transactions.

This applies to property agents who are representing their clients to buy or sell properties situated in Singapore, and

leasing of HDB properties.

Check the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) website for more information on the money property agents can handle.

Also, remember to pay the payee directly using verifiable modes such as crossed cheques and bank transfers.

#4: Agents should not refer you to a moneylenderIf you’re in a bit of a tight spot for funds, do not ask your agent to refer you to a moneylender for some quick cash. He

is not supposed to!

Under the Estate Agents Act, property agencies and agents are not allowed to refer a client to any moneylender,

licensed or otherwise, or receive any commission or other benefit from any moneylender relating to moneylending

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transactions.

The agent is also not supposed to:

divulge your personal data to unauthorised parties, including moneylenders;

accept any referral from moneylenders to sell debtors’ properties; and

abet unlicensed moneylenders in their criminal activities.

If you discover any property agencies or agents who work in collusion with a moneylender, do report them to CEA.

#5: Agents should not hide any con�ict of interestIf you are buying a property, and your agent is related to the seller in any way, he should declare this conflict of interest

to you. It is against CEA’s regulations for the agent not to disclose their relationship.

Your agent should also declare all external sources of income or referral fees that he

receives, for example, referral fees for recommending you to a certain bank for mortgage

loans.

For tips on what to do when engaging a property agent, visit www.cea.gov.sg/happyconsumer.

GUIDES SINGAPORE PROPERTY NEWS BUY INVEST LEASE RENT

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