MAIN IMAGE: Jan le Roux, CE of Rebosa
Editor
Last week we explored the reasoning behind Home Owners’ Associations (HOAs) charging estate agents, and only estate agents, fees to operate within their communities. It emerged that, despite the PP Act (Property Practitioners Act) labelling these activities undesirable, and the PPRA itself speaking out against this practice, it may be considering allowing the payment of these fees to continue and be formalised by capping the annual amount payable.
This possibility was discussed during a meeting between Jeff Gilmour, president of ARC (Association of Residential Communities), and officials of the PPRA.
Since we published the article, Jan le Roux, CEO of Rebosa has written to the Acting CEO of the PPRA, decrying the possibility of this action, He says “the issue of accreditation fees, or whatever name HOAs prefer to call it, is contentious, problematic, unacceptable, unnecessary and detrimental to transformation. It is of great concern to property practitioners who have been waiting on the PPRA to apply the Regulations and take action to eradicate this ill-conceived practice. Very little has happened so far to bolster our confidence”.
He continues, “I believe it is clear that this concept, under whatever guise, is aimed at obtaining financial benefit and the exclusion/limitation of property practitioners. Even if the exclusion is not intended, which I doubt, it remains the result. Fees of around R 6000 as mentioned by Mr Gilmour will result in the exclusion of many. It remains our contention that the argument that show days require more security, than say a dinner party held on the estate remains to be proven, and the claim that selling in an estate is more complex, thus necessitating training is spurious at best”.
To date, le Roux has received confirmation from Mr Caitin, that Rebosa and other interested parties would be invited to future meetings, while PPRA Acting CEO, Thato Ramaili, has indicated that the necessary action would be taken. According to le Roux, these meetings should, if arranged at all, should be with estate agents regulated by the PPRA, not with ARC. Estate agents wanting to participate in such schemes, if any, should be petitioning the PPRA for permission. No one believes the sale of properties in secure estates will suffer if estate agents no longer pay accreditation fees.
