In terms of the Standard of Training of Estate Agents Regulations Act, 2008, estate agents who were registered on 15 July 2008, the date when the Regulations came into effect, were required to be certificated against either the Further Education and Training Certificate: Real Estate (NQF Level 4) for non-principal estate agents or the National Certificate: Real Estate (NQF Level 5) for principal estate agents by 31 December 2011.
This certification period was extended to 31 December 2013. It has become increasingly apparent however, that a further extension of this period is required if the needs of the estate agency sector in general and the affected estate agents in particular are to be accommodated. Many of the affected estate agents have, unfortunately, delayed enrolling for certification against the required real estate qualifications while other unanticipated delays have also seriously hampered the finalisation of the certification process, including the necessary de-accreditation of certain real estate education providers and recognition of prior learning assessment centres as well as the lack of performance and the due exiting of learners manifested by others.
Thus, a further and final extension of time until 30 June 2015 has been granted for affected estate agents to be certificated against the required real estate qualifications.
It is to be underscored that those affected estate agents who have still not been certificated by the extended date will not be issued with fidelity fund certificates, entitling them legally to perform the functions and activities of an estate agent, for the 2016 calendar year.
