HDB resale net services open to abuse

Source : Straits Times - 16 Aug 2008

HOUSING agents under the accreditation scheme are allowed use of HDB resale application via net services. Only agents with Common Examination for Housing Agents (CEHA) are allowed to enjoy the resale net service. However, there are too many loopholes.

Currently, even agents without CEHA use the system by keying in the names of CEHA agents. Under the accreditation scheme endorsed by HDB three years ago, all agents must pass CEHA by the end of this year. However in April, the accreditation body reduced CEHA requirements to a multiple-choice exam with 50 per cent pass standard known as Common Examination for Salespersons (CES). Does HDB endorse the CES, a scaled-down course so agents can be accredited?

How will this multiple-choice exam help HDB’s requirement for resale net services? Is HDB rescinding on the standard from CEHA-qualified agents?

In the first place, the resale net system helps HDB with the enormous amount of paperwork as agencies undertake to key in data. Even consumers registering the resale application can do so via the Internet.

In an unregulated industry, many real estate agencies and private training companies take advantage by conducting courses in the CES and charging up to $600 (plus another $200 for the exam) to prepare agents for the multiple-choice exam. Three years ago when the accreditation scheme was introduced, agents had to pay close to $1,000 for Pre-CEHA for those without three O levels in order to take the CEHA exam. Today for the CES, there is no entry barrier until the year end. Anyone with no formal education can attend the multiple-choice exam and score 50 per cent to be accredited.

Under the new requirement with effect from next year, two O levels is the standard stipulated by the accreditation body for anyone to sit for the CES. Can HDB confirm that it verifies the CES for use of the resale net?

Why drop the standard from CEHA to a 50 per cent multiple-choice exam? How does a 50 per cent-pass CES course and exam ensure HDB regulations on resale net and consumer protection?

I hope HDB will clarify the matter soonest before more rogue agents are accredited.

Steven Lau