The Estate Agents Registration Board has warned all Kenyans against engaging in business activities with false real estate agents.
In a notice on Friday, March 15, the board Registrar Helen Abuya indicated that anyone found operating as an estate agent ought to have been registered with the board.
Further, the board asked members on the public to report any unregistered agents found operating in different parts of the country.
“All consumers of the Estate Agents services are hereby notified that the Estate Agents Act Cap 533 Laws of Kenya makes it mandatory for all Estate Agents –
“That is “persons who by way of business negotiate for or otherwise act in relation to the selling, purchasing or letting of land and buildings erected thereon” to be registered with the Estate Agents Registration Board (EARB),” said the board.
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How to Know if an Estate Agent is Registered
In addition, the board stated that after registration, all estate agents are usually issued with a practicing certificate that lasts a whole year.
Therefore, when working with an agent, Kenyans were advised to ask them to produce a certificate permitting them to operate.
“In order for the EARB to continue protecting the interest of the public and enhance professionalism in the real estate sector, consumers are advised to deal with registered estate agents only.
“Ask your Estate Agent to provide you with the Registration Certificate as well as the Annual Practicing Certificate issued by the EARB,” added the notice.
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Checking Registered Estate Agents Names
To verify if an estate agent is certified, members of the public were asked to cross check their names against the ones published in a gazette notice dated March 8, 2024.
“All registered and practicing Estate agents are published in the Kenya Gazette once a year. You can verify your agent directly through the Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVI – No. 29 dated 8th March 2024,” the board indicated.
Alternatively, one can inquire with through EARB through their email or a search on the EARB Member Directory on EARB website at www.estateagentsboard.or.ke.
The information is also available for members by logging into the board’s portal at https://members.estateagentsboard.or.ke/ or on the E-Citizen self-service portal.
“For any questions or clarifications, contact us on Tel 0741088144 or [email protected],” directed the notice.
