Case Study 7 - Breach of Ethical Practices in Property Sales
Mr Singh engaged a licensed real estate agent to assist in purchasing a residential property. The agent represented a property in Suva, owned by an associate of the agent.
Mr Singh claims the agent failed to disclose the following critical information:
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The agent did not inform Mr Singh the property was owned by an associate of the agent, constituting a conflict of interest.
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The agent exaggerated the property's rental income, leading Mr Singh to believe it was a more lucrative investment than it was.
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The agent did not provide full disclosure of the property's condition that could influence Mr Singh’s decision.
Upon discovering these issues post-purchase, Mr Singh filed a formal complaint with the Real Estate Agents Licensing Board (REALB).
The Board initiated an investigation into the agent's conduct. As a result, the agent faced disciplinary action.
This case highlights the importance of transparency and full disclosure in real estate transactions.
Agents must avoid conflicts of interest and provide accurate information to clients to maintain trust and uphold ethical standards in the industry.