The number of bogus realtors in the country has become a major concern for Real Estate Association.

This was revealed by the Association president Vyas Deo Sharma in a press conference yesterday.

He said after the formation of the Real Estate Association in June this year, the association was trying to raise the issue with the Real Estate Licensing Board.

“We are making suggestions to them and are working hand in hand,” Mr Sharma said.

“We still see a lot of foreign agents who are operating illegally.”

Mr Sharma added that numbers of these illegal operators were increasing day by day.

“Illegal Chinese agents have also formed an association and are operating. We have requested the real estate board to look in to this immediately,” he said.

“We also have some bogus realtors on social media who advise property sales but do not reveal their license number which is also an issue.

“There have been issues whereby these bogus realtors sell properties and the buyers face problems.”

The President also pointed out that there were more than 70 real estate agents in the country already with approximately 150 sales agents, a number too big for a small country like Fiji.

“Due to this, we are planning to request the board to freeze the issuance of license to agents and sale agents for three to five years so that the existing one’s can do their work better.”

Other Plans

Mr Sharma also said that the real estate industry in Fiji was booming and in years to come they should be comparable to other real estate associations in our region like Australia and New Zealand.

He added the association was planning to help get training for agents.

“Sales Agents will get training so that they can get better knowledge about the real estate business,” he added.

Mr Sharma also said that the association would have a special annual general meeting on December 8th, venue yet to be confirmed.

He added that the special AGM would discuss issues like finalisation of a code of ethics, amendments to the association’s constitution and also decide on possible location of setting up a national office.

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