Dear Colleagues
As 2024 draws to a close, I want to take a moment to share some thoughts on the road ahead.
This year has undoubtedly been a challenging one for many property practitioners. The economic climate, coupled with shifts in market dynamics and our ongoing issues with PPRAs challenges from the IT system to the new education standards has tested our resilience.
Looking ahead, we are optimistic about the opportunities that 2025 holds. The recent interest rate cuts have already begun to breathe new life into the property market, and we remain hopeful for a further rate reduction to be announced at the end of January. Such developments bode well for renewed activity and growth within the sector.
Your membership has been the cornerstone of Rebosa’s strength and impact. It is through your support that we’ve been able to maintain our position as the leading voice for residential real estate business owners. This year, we have amplified our lobbying and advocacy efforts, ensuring that your interests remain at the forefront of industry discussions. Your backing enables us to challenge unjust legislation and propose practical solutions to ensure a more transparent and buoyant property sector for all.
One key development on the horizon is the proposed amendments to the Property Practitioners Regulations. We will be thoroughly reviewing these amendments when they are published.
As we close out the year, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you. Your trust, commitment, and belief in Rebosa’s mission are what drive us forward.
We wish you a restful holiday season and a prosperous, opportunity-filled New Year. We look forward to continuing our journey together in 2025.
Kind regards
Jan
PPRA ADMIN FEES
The Board of the PPRA has passed a resolution requiring payment of administration fees for the various operations performed by the Regulator. Effective 1st November 2024, all registration and licensing transaction services will attract an administration fee in line with this Board resolution. The notice and schedule of fees can be found on Rebosa’s website.
https://www.rebosa.co.za/important-information-to-industry-on-implementation-of-admin-fees/
We believe that the current Regulations do not provide for most of these administrative fees. We are actively engaging with PPRA leadership and our legal team to address this issue and aim to provide our members with an update in the New Year.
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT “CPD”
Charter Academy has applied to the PPRA for approval of a CPD programme presented by Charter and endorsed by Rebosa. Not only will quality and ease of operation be guaranteed, it will come at a 20% discount. We are optimistic to see this in operation in February and will advise you accordingly. Should this not come to pass timeously for some reason you will still have ample time to pay the normal fee to PPRA within the prescribed time.
PROPCERT – FOR ALL YOUR FFC RENEWALS AND QUERIES
The 3-Year FFC renewal period will commence in July next year and there is still a backlog with issuing of FFCs during the past year. The PPRA has faced insurmountable IT challenges and has been issuing FFCs manually.
Additionally, many of our members face challenges when submitting queries to the PPRA. Supporting documentation and proof of payments often get lost in email exchanges between various PPRA departments, requiring repeated submissions of missing information. Each year, Rebosa receives thousands of such queries from members seeking assistance in resolving these matters.
To reduce frustration and streamline the process, we have developed an efficient online query platform called PropCert. This platform consolidates all the information relating to your query into a single PDF document, which is automatically sent to you, Rebosa and the PPRA, ensuring all documentation is stored in one place and allowing us to resolve these queries more efficiently.
We strongly encourage you to use this feature when renewing your FFC or submitting a PPRA query to us. The system is now live on our website and can be accessed via the following link:
PROPERTY VALUATIONS WARNING
Property Practitioners must refrain from using the terminology “valuations/evaluations/value/valuator” in any marketing material whatsoever. Property Practitioners are not qualified valuers and are therefore prohibited from offering property valuations. Property Practitioners must instead use alternative terminology for example “Comparative Market Analysis”/ “Marketing Price Assessment” etc.
The PPRA is now sanctioning agents who are advertising or offering prospective buyers’ valuations etc.
Please read the letter issued by the South African Institute of Valuers with this warning that was sent to Property Practitioners on 7 July last year.
https://www.rebosa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/saiv-letter.pdf
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS AND UNDESIRABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES
The Residential Communities Council (“RCC”) and the Association of Residential Communities (“ARC”) have launched legal proceedings against the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA). The application seeks a court order which, if successful, will allow the continued charging of agent accreditation fees. This case will have significant implications for the regulatory and operational landscape within the property sector.
Agents are reminded that despite the court application, the PPRA continues to enforce compliance with the Property Practitioners Act and Regulations. To date, the PPRA has issued charge letters with the intention to prosecute 95 agents who failed to adhere to compliance notices that were previously served on them.
FFCs BEING ISSUED FOR ONLY TWO YEARS
Due to the PPRAs ongoing systems issues, they have advised that all agents who were issued with FFCs that only reflected a two-year validity period will have their FFCs updated as soon as the system allows.
The PPRA has also posted a follow-up notice advising all agents that their FFCs for 2025-2027 continue to have this problem, and as a result they will generate all renewed FFCs in January 2025 so that the correct 2025-2027 FFCs will generate.
EMPLOYMENT CHANGE REQUESTS
Please be advised that when requesting an employment change from the PPRA you must now submit a completed application form together with your new letter of employment and copy of your ID.
PROPERTY PRACTITIONERS SUBSIDIARIES AND BRANCHES OF BUSINESS PROPERTY PRACTITIONERS (FIRMS)
Please note that each firm must be issued with its own FFC for which no payment is due.
PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION EXAM (PDE)
The next PDE exams will take place on 13 February 2025. Online registrations will open on 6 January 2025 and close on 31 January 2025.
NEW STANDARDS OF TRAINING REAL ESTATE
The contract of Mr. Mfundo Daki, the PPRA’s Executive Manager for Education, concluded on 31 October, and no successor has been announced to date. There remains continued uncertainty around the specific requirements for the new standards of training in the industry.
Adding to these challenges, the current regulations stipulate that Candidate Property Practitioners may only operate for 180 days, with the option to apply for an additional 180-day extension. However, the new Occupational Certificate: Real Estate is a 12-month qualification, making it impossible for candidates to complete it within the initial 180-day period.
Recognising this misalignment, Rebosa submitted an application to the PPRA on 13 September 2024 for an E1 exemption. This exemption would waive the extension requirements, allowing candidates the full 12 months necessary to complete their qualification and write the PDE. Despite the urgency of this matter, no response has been received from the PPRA to date.
Compounding the issue, the PPRA’s system still lacks the functionality to issue 1-year FFCs, which poses an additional barrier to new entrants joining the industry.
For the past 2 years, we have been advocating for practical solutions to these systemic issues to find a practical and accessible pathway for new entrants.
In October, the PPRA leadership gave thought to a new Education Policy aimed at reforming the qualification requirements for Property Practitioners. The proposed policy seeks to remove the mandatory National Qualifications Framework (NQF) qualifications while upholding high standards through practical training and PPRA Board exams. Rebosa fully supports this initiative, viewing it as a vital step toward reducing barriers to entry for new Property Practitioners. This approach aligns with the timelines outlined in the Regulations and provides a more accessible pathway for individuals entering the profession, while still ensuring industry competence and professionalism.
REBOSA AGM
Rebosa held it’s its eleventh Annual General Meeting on 9th October 2024. You can read all about our year in review in our Chairman’s Report by accessing the link below: –
https://www.rebosa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chairmans-report-final-09102024.pdf
REBOSA LEADERSHIP CHANGES
Rebosa is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Teboho Tsekoa to its Board of Directors following the recent Annual General Meeting. As the CEO and founder of Hashtags Properties Group, Teboho brings a wealth of industry expertise, entrepreneurial acumen, and a proven track record of success in the property sector. His experience and insight will undoubtedly enhance the board’s strategic direction and further Rebosa’s mission to strengthen the industry.
We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Herschel Jawitz, CEO of Jawitz Properties, whose tenure on the board concluded this year. Herschel’s exceptional dedication and invaluable contributions have left a lasting impact on Rebosa’s work. We look forward to continued collaboration with him in the future and remain grateful for his unwavering support and service.
MEMBERSHIP
We are delighted to welcome Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty, Fine & Country, and MLS Gauteng North as new corporate Rebosa members. We also extend a warm welcome to the 90 independent firms who joined Rebosa this year. With our membership now exceeding 18,500 registered practicing estate agents, we remain the largest and most representative residential real estate industry body. This growth strengthens our collective voice as we continue to advocate for and protect the interests of our members.
PPRA LIMITED SERVICES DURING HOLIDAY PERIOD
Please be advised that the PPRA will provide the following services during the holiday period from 23rd December 2024 to 6th January 2025, albeit to a limited scale in some instances:
The Call Centre will be fully operational.
The Executive Manager and some key team members of the Fidelity Fund Certificate renewals, Licensing and Registrations units will be available.
Debtors and Recoveries business unit will be available to progress the recovery processes and other related functions.
The Executive Manager for Inspections and Investigations will be available to address specific queries albeit to a limited degree.
Three technicians will be on stand-by to provide Information Technology services if / when required.
Service delivery will be back to normal from 6th January 2025.
