The Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) is taking a tough stance once again, imposing disciplinary action on two rogue property agents.
Ronald Pun Siew Hong was charged with sending abusive messages to a woman inquiring about a rental property while Kee Lee Ping failed to disclose her interests in a property transaction that was in conflict with her clients, who were the buyers.
Disciplinary proceedings against the two concluded on 28 March and 25 June 2012 respectively.
According to the disciplinary framework of the CEA, salespersons that breach the code of ethics will face disciplinary action. The Disciplinary Committee (DC) may reprimand the salesperson, impose a financial penalty of up to S$75,000, attach conditions to the registration, suspend or revoke the registration.
45-year old Pun, who had been an agent for about four years, was charged for disrespecting the real estate agency industry after harassing the complainant.
She was said to have communicated with Pun regarding a property he had advertised for rent. Unhappy with his services, she decided to stop corresponding further.
But Pun sent 51 abusive and insulting SMS messages to the complainant within a period of seven days. Feeling aggrieved and insulted, she filed a complaint with the CEA.
Pun pleaded guilty and was made to pay a financial penalty of S$2,500 and costs of S$1,000, as well as a written apology to the woman.
As for Kee, she failed to declare that the co-sellers were her husband, colleague and parents-in-law. This was found to be in conflict with the buyers’ interests.
The 32-year old who has been an agent for around six years was suspended for three months and ordered to pay a financial penalty of S$3,000.
In addition, she received another one-month suspension for failing to comply with HDB resale procedures. She was found to have helped the buyers enter into a supplemental agreement extending the sellers’ stay beyond completion.
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