I REFER to a recent commentary in the press about the problems with same-agent property brokerage.

While I welcome and support the National Development Ministry's draft plan to regulate real-estate brokerages, which includes a suggestion to prohibit an agent from acting for both the seller and the buyer in Housing Board resale transactions, I doubt the prohibition would be effective.

It might result in delays in HDB resale transactions.

Besides, there is also no guarantee that co-broking or other unethical practices would be completely wiped out.

The inflexibility introduced by the rule, if it is passed, would create inconvenience for buyers and sellers.

However, if a win-win solution could be found to expedite HDB resale transactions, there is no arguing that the public would favour a separation of agent functions.

The root problem is greed and dishonesty on the part of some agents, for whom securing a large commission is a priority.

If accreditation could be speedily introduced in the industry, stricter licensing rules enforced and estate agents required to pass a standardised examination, the industry's image would get a boost, which would in turn raise the public's confidence in agents.

Most importantly, any accreditation board must ensure that high standards of conduct are upheld in the industry.

Mr Teo Kueh Liang

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