Tag Archives: Council for Estate Agencies

Building laws need larger scope

Posted on 18 Jun 2012 | Comments Off on Building laws need larger scope

I read with interest the report “‘Proxy wars’ in condos” (June 11).

As many Singaporeans now reside in strata title homes, including those hived off from public housing, it is timely that the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) is reviewing the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act. This should include enlarging the scope of duties carried out by the Strata Titles Board.

For a start, it should hear cases between management councils and developers, besides hearing only cases between residents and councils.

This would free the courts for major cases that would develop the legal fraternity and Singapore as an arbitration hub, rather than be constrained by such domestic issues.

Before a development is allowed, architects are required to seek approval from the BCA. In turn, it requires the building plans to be submitted to the Fire Safety Bureau, the sewerage and drainage departments and other authorities for approval of aspects of building design of which the BCA is not the sole authority.

As the coordinating body for the final approval of building works, it could thus intervene to get sub-standard works rectified before a Temporary Occupation Permit is issued.

If ancillary works, such as swimming pools, tennis and squash courts, car park wash bays, gymnasiums and playgrounds could be sanctioned, then arbitration, if any, would be kept to a minimum.

Ancillary works that are often defective are found mostly in common areas that do not require the BCA’s approval. This is where home owners are at the short end of the stick.

Management councils now use the maintenance fund to obtain legal redress against developers that provide these sub-standard works.

This could be made unnecessary by requiring developers to obtain approval for ancillary works, too.

It is time-consuming, costly and not right to use maintenance funds to seek legal redress.

from Gilbert Tan Hee Khian

Source : Today – 2012 Jun 18

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Posted in General, Property Market / Real Estate

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Real estate sellers must meet criteria

Posted on 12 Jun 2012 | Comments Off on Real estate sellers must meet criteria

From Yeap Soon Teck Deputy Director (Licensing), Council for Estate Agencies

We refer to the letter “No principle in CEA fee policy” (May 31).

Under the Estate Agents Act, all real estate salespersons are required to register with the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) through an estate agent, which is responsible for paying a registration fee when it makes the application. The fee is charged as resources are involved to process each application and ensure that the salesperson’s credentials comply with the standards required in the Act.

For a salesperson who switches agents, the receiving agent has to apply to the CEA and pay the fee. This application is subject to another round of assessment to ascertain that the salesperson continues to meet the necessary criteria for registration.

The CEA has briefed agents on the process during industry dialogue sessions and through circulars.

When a salesperson is registered, the agent that supports and submits the application is responsible for ensuring that the salesperson is fit to practise and will comply with the Estate Agents Act and Regulations.

The CEA works closely with agents on this, too.

Apart from licensing, the CEA does regular enforcement work and compliance checks, investigates consumer complaints about estate agency services and implements industry development initiatives.

These will help enhance the level of services rendered and better protect consumers. The CEA also engages in public education to help consumers make informed decisions in their property transactions.

The resources and costs involved are supported by the registration and licensing fees, supplemented by government funding. The CEA is mindful of the costs. Through regular dialogue sessions with industry stakeholders, we will continue to ensure that registration fees remain reasonable.

Consumers are already paying commissions for the services of agents and salespersons. They should not be expected to pay the CEA for initiatives to raise the level of professional service of the real estate industry.

No principle in CEA fee policy

From Henry Tay
May 31, 2012
Property agents can perform estate agency work only if they have a valid registration. But why are registration fees subjected to repayment when an agent, registered for a valid period, switches agencies?

When a property agent recently asked the Council for Estate Agencies about this, it said that estate agencies and not the agent are responsible for paying the fee, be it whether the individual is new to the industry or an existing agent making a switch.

The CEA appears nonchalant to the principle behind its policy. And estate agencies continue to pay without knowing why.

With 30,600 registered property agents here, annual registration fees of S$230 and application fees of S$53.50, the CEA would be collecting a hearty S$8.68 million and more each year.

Ironically, the CEA was formed for the benefit of consumers in their property transactions, but does not collect any money from them.

Source : Today – 2012 Jun 12

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Posted in CEA

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