Unregistered salesperson fined S$21,000 under Estate Agents Act

SINGAPORE: An unregistered salesperson who posted flyers in public places was fined S$21,000 on Wednesday.

He was charged under the Estate Agents Act.

The Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) charged 59—year—old Lum Chap Heng in court on 14 November for posting flyers carrying his mobile number to advertise for landlords and tenants.

Lum also represented a flat owner and helped her find potential tenants for her property. He also conducted flat viewings.

CEA said Lum was aware that it was illegal for him to hold himself out as a salesperson as he was not registered under the Estate Agents Act.

Lum had specifically told prospective tenants that he had registered with CEA in 2010.

He also identified himself as a salesperson with a licensed estate agent, HSR International Realtors, even though he did not have a written agreement with an estate agent for him to practise.

CEA said this case highlighted the importance of checking the identity of a salesperson on CEA’s Public Register before responding to a salesperson’s flyer, leaflet or advertisement.

It added that consumers are advised not to respond to any real estate agent’s flyer, leaflet or advertisement that did not provide the salesperson’s name, registration number, contact number, as well as the estate agent’s name and licence number.

Consumers should only engage salespersons who are registered with CEA, it said.

The public can check CEA’s public register at www.cea.gov.sg or on the "CEA@SG" mobile app to verify a salesperson’s registration details before engaging his or her services.

Searches can be done on the public register using the salesperson’s name, registration number and mobile number.

The public should also report to CEA when they encounter any person not listed on the public register but carrying out estate agency work illegally.

They can report the person to the CEA at 1800—6432555 or feedback@cea.gov.sg.

— CNA/jc