THE Real Estate Institute of NSW has accused NSW Fair Trading of ‘‘grandstanding’’ over a ‘‘blitz’’ of Sutherland Shire real estate agencies.
Fair Trading Minister Matthew Mason-Cox revealed 120 premises were inspected and 613 licences examined from February 16-20.
They included shopfront agencies and other business addresses recorded on licences.
A total of 15 agents, nine agencies and three corporations were fined.
Most offences, bringing a fine of $550 or $1110, involved a failure of agents to complete mandatory education to remain accredited.
The biggest fine was $2200 for a corporation not holding a licence.
NSW Fair Trading would not elaborate on the breaches.
Real Estate Institute of NSW president Malcolm Gunning said the operation was ‘‘misdirected’’.
‘‘Sutherland Shire probably has some of the better agents,’’ he said.
‘‘NSW Fair Trading chose a high-profile area because it wants to get headlines and look like it’s doing something, rather than acting positively to improve training and education in the industry.
‘‘They send in a task force and make a song and dance about it, but the reality is that the day-to-day checking of compliance doesn’t take place.
‘‘We think it’s grandstanding of the first order.’’
Mr Gunning said the government had allowed a low level of training in the industry, which allowed a property seller to be registered in about three days.
‘‘Even becoming a licensed real estate agent can be done within a couple of months,’’ he said.
LET US REGULATE
Malcolm Gunning (pictured) said the Real Estate Institute of NSW believed training and education would improve greatly if the industry was allowed to semi-self regulate.
But, while Premier Mike Baird and Mr Mason-Cox appeared willing to consider such a move, the bureaucracy was opposed, he said.
"We are asking to be taken seriously," he said. "The property industry provides 25 per cent of state government income through property taxes, but we are administered in the same way as tattoo parlours and brothels."
