Real estate agent faces trial over Auckland property deals

Former Barfoot & Thompson real estate agent Aaron Hughes. Photo / Supplied

A real estate agent is on trial over two property deals in which investigators say he personally benefited by more than $850,000.

Former Barfoot & Thompson agent Aaron Hughes denies the charges. Charges laid against Hughes last year allege he obtained a valuation showing a property he was selling in Mt Wellington, Auckland, was worth at least $1.2 million.

He is alleged to have purchased it himself 11 days later through his company Az-Iz Rentals in a private sale for $530,000.

It is alleged the valuation was not disclosed to the elderly sellers, Jack and Walter Tata, and that Hughes on-sold the house within months for a $725,000 profit.

Hughes faces one charge of causing loss by deception. The charge has been laid under the Crimes Act, meaning the matter will be heard before the district court.

Another charge alleges that Hughes, while acting as a real estate agent, obtained a Mangere Bridge property by deception between October 2015 and January last year.

Charge documents say that on or about August 13 2015 Hughes obtained a valuation showing the property was worth at least $720,000 and that this was not disclosed to the vendor.

He has elected trial by jury and will be represented by David Jones, QC.

The trial, in the Auckland District Court, is set down for one week.