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http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_578954.html
Singapore
Home > Breaking News > Singapore > Story
Sep 15, 2010
Estate Agents Bill passed
By Jessica Cheam
An Estate Agents Bill was passed, marking an important point in the history of Singapore's real estate industry by regulating property agents for the first time. -- ST PHOTO: CAROLINE CHIA
PARLIAMENT on Wednesday passed the Estate Agents Bill, marking an important point in the history of Singapore's real estate industry by regulating property agents for the first time.
The new statutory board - Council for Estate Agents (CEA) - overseeing the industry will begin operations on Oct 22, said National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan.
From Jan 1 next year, all property agents will have to be registered with the CEA and have to meet certain standards to continue working.
The Bill comes as the Government moves to address the standards of an industry dogged by rising number of complaints against errant agents.
It follows a recent housing Bill sped through Parliament and passed in July to close a loophole which had allowed moneylenders to lodge caveats on HDB flats to claim a stake in sale proceeds.
MPs had highlighted the role of irresponsible housing agents who act in cahoots with moneylenders to mislead home owners as among the other unethical practices seen in recent years as Singapore experienced a property boom.
Many MPs that spoke on the Bill on Wednesday supported it, although they also raised various concerns from foreigners operating as agents, to commission guidelines and consumer awareness.
MPs Ho Geok Choo (West Coast GRC) and Lee Bee Wah (Ang Mo Kio GRC) asked if foreigners without local knowledge of laws should be allowed to work as agents. Mr Ang Mong Seng (Hong Kah GRC) went a step further to ask if foreigners could be banned.
Mr Mah said no, as such measures will contravene the various free trade agreements Singapore has signed with trading partners and would be considered a discrimnatory practice.
However, although foreigners will still be allowed to operate as property agents, they will need to qualify for a work pass from the Manpower Ministry and comply with new rules and be registered with an agency under the new Bill.
Singapore
Home > Breaking News > Singapore > Story
Sep 15, 2010
Estate Agents Bill passed
By Jessica Cheam
An Estate Agents Bill was passed, marking an important point in the history of Singapore's real estate industry by regulating property agents for the first time. -- ST PHOTO: CAROLINE CHIA
PARLIAMENT on Wednesday passed the Estate Agents Bill, marking an important point in the history of Singapore's real estate industry by regulating property agents for the first time.
The new statutory board - Council for Estate Agents (CEA) - overseeing the industry will begin operations on Oct 22, said National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan.
From Jan 1 next year, all property agents will have to be registered with the CEA and have to meet certain standards to continue working.
The Bill comes as the Government moves to address the standards of an industry dogged by rising number of complaints against errant agents.
It follows a recent housing Bill sped through Parliament and passed in July to close a loophole which had allowed moneylenders to lodge caveats on HDB flats to claim a stake in sale proceeds.
MPs had highlighted the role of irresponsible housing agents who act in cahoots with moneylenders to mislead home owners as among the other unethical practices seen in recent years as Singapore experienced a property boom.
Many MPs that spoke on the Bill on Wednesday supported it, although they also raised various concerns from foreigners operating as agents, to commission guidelines and consumer awareness.
MPs Ho Geok Choo (West Coast GRC) and Lee Bee Wah (Ang Mo Kio GRC) asked if foreigners without local knowledge of laws should be allowed to work as agents. Mr Ang Mong Seng (Hong Kah GRC) went a step further to ask if foreigners could be banned.
Mr Mah said no, as such measures will contravene the various free trade agreements Singapore has signed with trading partners and would be considered a discrimnatory practice.
However, although foreigners will still be allowed to operate as property agents, they will need to qualify for a work pass from the Manpower Ministry and comply with new rules and be registered with an agency under the new Bill.