The actions of Northland real estate agents have triggered 30 complaints to an industry watchdog since it was set up nearly three years ago.
Figures supplied by the Real Estate Agents' Authority shows the complaints were lodged in relation to Whangarei and Kaitaia agents, with two recorded as being unsatisfactory conduct. No further action was taken against six while 22 cases were resolved through avenues such as mediation.
These figures revealed that there were also 29 complaints against Rotorua-based agents, 34 in Hawke's Bay, 84 in Tauranga/Bay of Plenty, 24 in Wanganui and 136 in Christchurch.
Throughout Northland, at least five real estate agents faced disciplinary action in 2011.
The authority could not supply figures on the number of complaints throughout the region so far this year.
According to realestate.co.nz, Northland has 403 registered real estate agents.
Graham Lester, spokesman for the Real Estate Institute for Northland, said five cases where disciplinary action had been taken was a very small percentage. There were about 200 real estate agents in Whangarei and Kaitaia
Nationally, he said complaints have shot up since the new Act came into effect and the authority was established in November 2009, but some cases involved misunderstandings or were resolved through mediation.
"The Act has forced the [real estate] industry to focus on dotting the i's and crossing the t's," he said.
"There's still some confusion on the interpretation in that what they [authority] say is sometimes confusing but at least there's a consumer body that keeps an eye on us."
Nationally, more than 2000 complaints have been lodged with the authority and Real Estate Institute of New Zealand chief executive Helen O'Sullivan said it was good having an independent regulatory body at arm's length from the industry.
She said the authority had a tough job and had gone through a steep learning curve, but was now finding its feet.