Snippet from XinMSN
October 21, 2011

The Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) has charged a second person on Thursday for representing himself as a property agent without being registered with the council. 

30-year-old Sim Soon Leong, Raymond, was also charged with failing to obtain a written authorisation from a licensed real estate firm before practising. 

Despite being unregistered and unauthorised, CEA said in a media release that Sim had advertised two HDB flats for rental on an online property portal describing himself as a sales director with a licensed estate agent. 

CEA said he also represented clients in making offers, negotiated property transactions and conducted flat viewings. 

Sim was exposed when his prospective clients checked the CEA's Public Register and reported him to the council. 

Sim, who faces a total of eight charges under the Estate Agents Act (EAA) 2010, will be back in court on 17 November. 

For each of his offences, Sim could be fined up to $25,000 or jailed for a year, or both. 

CEA said the public can now search the particulars of property agents on its enhanced Public Register of Estate Agents and Salespersons at www.cea.gov.sg, in addition to searching using the agent's name or registration number. 

Since January 1 this year, all property agents must register with the CEA and possess written agreements with their companies before they are allowed to perform their job.
Failure to comply with these rules is an offence. 

The Council said the public should not respond to any real estate agency flyer or advertisement that does not provide an agent's details or registration number, and should report any unregistered agents to the CEA.

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