KUALA LUMPUR: Registered real estate agents are calling on the authorities to act fast against the growing number of illegal – and increasingly aggressive – agents who are robbing the genuine ones of their business. 

Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA) surveillance committee co-chairman Tan Kang Yap said that in the Klang Valley alone there were an estimated 10,000 illegal agents competing with about 12,000 registered real estate negotiators.. 

“The numbers themselves are staggering but it is the recent attitude of these illegal agents in trying to 'conquer territories' that has us really worried for our future,” he told reporters at the MCA Public Service and Complaints Department here yesterday. 

He said illegal agents would set up tables to offer their services outside the developers' site offices. 

“Most buyers are not aware that the agents are operating illegally, so they engage their services to rent out or sell their units,” he added.  

Tan said illegal agents were also known to tear down posters put up by registered agents to advertise properties. 

“They even stop clients that we bring to an area to check out properties and claim that they have more properties under them than we do and try to steal our clients,” he pointed out.  

He added that without overheads for staff and offices, and expenditure for taxes and licences, illegal agents were also usually able to undercut the legitimate ones. 

Department head Datuk Michael Chong said he had received complaints from house owners cheated by illegal agents. 

“Since they are not registered and often only provide mobile phone numbers for contact purposes, they are impossible to track down if they disappear,'' he added. 

To check if an agent is registered, go to the Valuers, Appraisers and Estate Agents Board's website at www.lppeh.gov.my or call the MIEA at 03-7727 7477.  

Source : The Star 29/12/2006