As a result of repeated delays and a lack of clarity there is now confusion among estate agents and in the minds of the general public about the whole qualification process for agents and agency principals.

Bill Rawson, chairman of Rawson Properties warned those in control of the qualification process (the Estate Agencies Affairs Board and the Sectional Education and Training Authority) that this confusion is deterring aspirant agents from joining the profession and is causing the general public to look on all qualifications with some suspicion.

“The danger is that the much needed educational requirements could be wholly discredited if matters are not sorted out soon,” he says. “Two statutory bodies have now been appointed to investigate and reach finality on the qualification and certification issues and we hope they will sort this out soon.”

He warns, however, that they will have to work fast to restore confidence, And so far a sense of urgency among those previously in control of this process has been conspicuously lacking.

“The statutory bodies should try not to make too many rules and thereby close doors. One of the dangers of not acting fast here, is that the relatively few agents who now remain will not be able to cope or alternatively may find themselves in a near monopolistic situation which will encourage them to back down on service.

“It is not in South Africa’s or the housing sector’s interest that this should happen – nor is it at all healthy that when so many people are desperately looking for jobs entry into home selling should be made so difficult. Over-regulation has time and again wrecked industries and it could do the same here.”