Solitary grumble about real estate agents

Wairarapa real estate agents have been the subject of just one complaint to the industry watchdog since it was set up nearly three years ago.

Nationally, more than 2163 complaints have been lodged with the Real Estate Agents Authority (REAA) since its launch in November 2009.

In the one case relating to a Wairarapa-based agent, the authority deemed "no further action" was required.

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.

"It's a good thing for consumers and the industry.

Nationwide, there were 13,007 real estate agents actively licensed with the REAA at the end of August.

Recent complaints about agents to the REAA which amounted to 'misconduct' include:

An agent who forged a signature on a settlement notice for the purposes of showing that a sale had taken place when it hadn't.

An agent who sold a car park she did not own and then failed to refund the deposit.

The same agent is also alleged to have placed undue pressure on the vendors of a property.

An agent who did not inform purchasers that she had not been inside a property.

The REAA is a Crown entity which regulates real estate agents, branch managers and salespersons under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008 - which took over from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) as the industry's regulatory body.