XN000022-1993-06-30 — Page 33

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993

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GOV'T SUPPORTS LICENSING OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS

THE GOVERNMENT

AGREES THAT SOME FORM OF

OF REGULATION

REAL

ESTATE AGENTS BACKED UP BY LEGISLATION IS REQUIRED, THE ACTING

PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR CANICE MAK SECRETARY FOR

SAID

TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE LICENSING OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR MAK SAID FURTHER DISCUSSIONS AND CONSIDERATION ON WHAT KIND OF CONTROL WAS REQUIRED.

"BUT THESE SHOULD NOT DETRACT THE PRINCIPLE THAT ADDITIONAL REGULATION OF ESTATE AGENT PRACTICES IS DESIRABLE," HE SAID.

MR MAK SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS LOOKING INTO THE MERITS OF A POSITIVE LICENSING SYSTEM VIS-A-VIS A NEGATIVE ONE.

TO

THE

ANYONE

"UNDER A POSITIVE LICENSING SYSTEM, ALL ESTATE AGENTS HAVE HAVE A LICENCE IN ORDER TO PRACTISE. UNDER A NEGATIVE SYSTEM, MAY PRACTISE AS AN ESTATE AGENT PROVIDED THAT HE REGULATIONS PRESCRIBING THE OBLIGATIONS FOR ESTATE AGENTS.

"HE

FOLLOWS

WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM FURTHER PRACTISING ONLY WHEN BREACHES THE PROVISIONS, HE SAID.

MR

MAK SAID SINCE A NEGATIVE SYSTEM DID NOT REQUIRE THE OF LICENCES AS SUCH, IT WOULD BE SIMPLER TO

ADMINISTER AND RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS WERE LIKELY TO BE SMALLER.

HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO PARTIES ON THE DETAILS SO THAT THE SHAPE OF A SYSTEM COULD BE DRAWN UP.

HE

ISSUE THE

CONSULT INTERESTED REGULATORY POSSIBLE

MAY

CAN THE

THESE INCLUDED A CLEAR DEFINITION OF THE LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE, THE ROLE OF AN ESTATE AGENT (FOR EXAMPLE, WHETHER HE HE WHETHER AS AN INTERMEDIARY BETWEEN SELLER AND BUYER OR REPRESENT ONLY ONE PARTY'S INTERESTS), THE LIKELY EFFECTS ON COMMISSION CHARGING SYSTEM.

ACT

"SINCE LEGISLATION 15 ALMOST CERTAINLY WILL HAVE TO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT.

REQUIRED, RESOURCES

"ANY OTHERS FOR SAID.

BID FOR SUCH RESOURCES WILL EITHER HAVE TO COMPETE

THE PRIORITY OR FINANCED BY A CHARGE ON

LICENSEES,"

WITH

HE

"AS

MEANTIME,

ALL THIS WILL TAKE TIME, IT WOULD BE USEFUL, IF IN PRACTISING ESTATE AGENTS COULD PROMOTE SELF-REGULATION IMPROVE THEIR SERVICE, THUS PAVING THE WAY FOR A POSSIBLE LICENSING SYSTEM IN FUTURE,' HE SAID,

THE

AND

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