I AGREE with the views Mr Raymond Ng expressed in his letter, 'Let only licensed estate agents practise' (my paper, Feb 10).

There are just too many unlicensed and/or untrained estate agents in the property market today. Some cannot speak even a word of English.

How can these agents explain the terms and conditions of a housing contract, be it for tenancy or sale?

If you look through the classified ads, many property agencies only require the potential agent to sign up for their inhouse training programmes and to fork out $300 to $500 in training fees before they are recognised by the agency as 'qualified property agents'.

The best way to reduce the number of unqualified agents is to impose heavy penalties on their agencies.

Property agencies must submit the names and qualifications of all their agents to the authorities.

Should agencies fail to submit a full and accurate list, they should receive a fine and have their licences revoked, especially if many cases of cheating or unethical behaviour are traced back to their agents.

With these measures in place, many property owners will be spared the agony of being cheated and ethical agents will not be lumped together with the black sheep.

Ms Loo Siew Wah

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