Watch your step, agents warned

2016-12-22

ESTATE agents should maintain good order in first-sale sites when carrying out promotional activities, including not committing behavior that may endanger the safety of drivers and other road users.

Otherwise, they may be subject to disciplinary action by the Estate Agents Authority.

Authority staff discovered a salesman standing on the road when they drove to the first-sale site of a development for inspection. The salesman was soliciting business by waving the promotional materials of that new development to the drivers of the vehicles passing by.

When the authority staff pulled over, that salesman rushed to the car and handed over the promotional materials, claiming that he could introduce them to the new development.

The authority disciplinary committee was of the view that the salesman failed to comply with the guidelines of the related practice circular by standing on the carriageway or intercepting vehicles, which endangered the safety of drivers and other road users. He also distracted drivers heading for or passing by the first-sale site by waving promotional leaflets to beckon the drivers of the vehicles.

Therefore, he was in breach of paragraph 3.2.1 of the code of ethics, which states: “Estate agents and salespersons should be fully conversant with the Estate Agents Ordinance, its subsidiary legislation, this code of ethics, and other guidelines issued by the EAA from time to time and shall observe and comply with them in the course of their practice.”

The disciplinary committee decided to reprimand the salesman, impose a fine of HK$2,000, suspend his license for 14 days, and attach a condition to his license requiring him to obtain 12 points in the core subjects of the continuing professional development scheme in 12 months.

(22 December 2016)