SALIMA-(MaraviPost)-The Minister of Lands, Deus Gumba has said the government is committed to bringing sanity in the real estate sector following the proliferation of unregulated estate agents.
He made the remarks on Friday in Salima during the inaugural orientation of the Estate Management Council established under the Estate Management Act of 2024.
The Minister said Malawians have been duped of their monies by these ‘briefcase’ estate agents who upon getting paid disappear with nowhere to trace them.
Gumba noted that some ( unregulated estate agents) impose unwarranted demands on clients for example, charging fees merely to view a property, whether for rent or sale.
“Others go further by showing prospective tenants or buyers properties they have no legal authority to represent, collecting viewing fees under the false promise that they will engage the owner if interest is shown.
“The council will play a critical role in bringing order, accountability and professionalism to the real estate sector. They will ensure that only those who are registered and licenced are authorised to perform real estate functions,” the minister emphasised.
He expressed his hope that the council will excellently serve Malawians who have enormous expectations in light of the challenges they have endured.
Chairperson of the Estate Management Council, Don Whayo said they will ensure the public is protected from unlicensed estate agents.
“We are fully committed to ensuring the council works to the benefit of all Malawians because for a long time they have been swindled by unscrupulous estate agents and they had no where to go to report and lodge complaints,” he said.
Whayo said, “Our priority will be engaging the practicing estate agents and ensure they get registered and licenced after thorough screening of their application to ensure only qualified are licensed”.
In May this year, Government through the Ministry of Lands, announced the establishment of Real Estate Management Council, the first of its kind to be on the lead in sanitizing the sector.