The number of formal complaints made about real estate agents and salespeople increased by more than a third in the 12 months to June.
The Real Estate Authority (REA), the statutory body that regulates the real estate industry, received its highest ever number of complaints about the conduct of licensed real estate professionals in the last financial year, according to it's just released annual report.
A total of 487 complaints were received by the REA, up 126, or 35%, from 361 in the previous 12 months.
"The increase in complaints highlights the complexity of the real estate transaction process and the importance of consumers receiving high standards of service from the sector," REA Chief Executive Belinda Moffat said.
"The provision of quality information about the property is important to support good decision making by parties to a transaction," she said.
The most common complaints related to customer service, skill and care, disclosure and misleading advertising.
"Poor communication was a common theme in complaints raised," the REA said in a statement.
However, only 9% of of the licensees subject to complaints had findings of misconduct or unsatisfactory conduct against them.
"The complaint results indicate that most licensees are continuing to maintain high standards of professional conduct and REA is holding to account those who don't," Moffat said.
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