Dear Colleagues
The first half of 2026 has been characterised by a number of significant regulatory, compliance and education-related developments affecting property practitioners.
You are encouraged to take note of the important deadlines, pending regulatory matters and compliance obligations outlined below.
Please continue to monitor REBOSA communications regularly and attend upcoming webinars and information sessions as further guidance becomes available.
Kind regards
Jan
CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT (CPA) AMENDMENT REGULATIONS AND OPT-OUT REGISTRY FOR DIRECT MARKETERS
The Consumer Protection Act Amendment Regulations introduced a new National Consumer Commission (NCC) Opt-Out Registry for direct marketing. The Regulations require direct marketers to register with the NCC, renew their registration annually and regularly cleanse their marketing databases against the Opt-Out Registry.
Following the National Consumer Commission webinar, REBOSA submitted a comprehensive list of industry-specific questions and concerns and has since received a detailed written response from the Commissioner. Our legal team is currently reviewing the response, after which REBOSA will hold a follow-up engagement with the Commission to clarify any outstanding matters. Once this process is complete, we will provide members with practical guidance and host a further educational webinar.
The NCC has confirmed that there will be an implementation period until October, allowing stakeholders sufficient time to understand and prepare for the new requirements.
If you missed the webinar and want access to the recording and presentation email: info@rebosa.co.za
CHARTER ACADEMY CPD REMINDER
The three-year Continuing Professional Development (CPD) cycle covering 2023, 2024 and 2025 has now concluded.
Property practitioners are encouraged to verify that they have successfully completed all required CPD modules before submitting their FFC renewal applications to avoid delays and non-compliance.
To assist practitioners in becoming compliant, Charter Academy continues to offer the PPRA-Approved alternative CPD programme at a substantially reduced cost compared to the PPRA programme.
Key benefits include:
- Online learning accessible anytime and anywhere.
- More than 30 CPD modules to choose from.
- Flexible payment options.
- Fully PPRA-approved
- Significant cost savings.
- Hassle-free administration, including payment of the required PPRA fee and management of the CPD administrative process with the PPRA.
To register use the link below: –
PROPCERT PLATFORM FOR FFC RENEWALS
REBOSA members are encouraged to submit their FFC renewals through the PropCert platform, which is available free of charge to all REBOSA members. In addition to facilitating the renewal process, PropCert enables REBOSA to monitor the progress of applications and assist members where delays arise or documents are lost. The platform also provides a secure cloud-based repository where FFC applications, supporting documents and compliance records can be stored and accessed in one central location.
The portal can be accessed using the link below: –
PAIA COMPLIANCE
All estate agency firms are required to submit their PAIA Annual Report to the Information Regulator by 30 June 2026.
The reporting period covers 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
Before you can submit your report:
- Your Information Officer (IO), Head of Private Body (HPB) and any Deputy Information Officers (DIOs) must be registered with the Information Regulator.
- Your firm’s PAIA Manual must be up to date.
- Your PAIA Manual should be published on your company website and be readily available to members of the public.
Even if your business received no PAIA requests during the reporting period, a report must still be submitted. The Information Regulator requires a nil return to be filed.
Useful Links
- PAIA Guidelines, Templates and FAQs – https://inforegulator.org.za/paia/
- Submission of Annual Returns: https://inforegulator.org.za/paia-annual-report/
- Submission E-Services portal – https://eservices.inforegulator.org.za/user/login.aspx
- Technical Support Email: support@inforegulator.org.za
Members are encouraged not to leave submissions until the last week of June as the online portal often experiences heavy traffic near the deadline. Failure to submit may result in regulatory scrutiny and compliance assessments by the Information Regulator.
Remember that a PAIA Manual and the PAIA Annual Report are two separate compliance requirements – having one does not exempt you from the other.
FIC COMPLIANCE: RMCP REVIEWS AND RISK AND COMPLIANCE RETURNS (RCR)
The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) has opened the annual Risk and Compliance Return (RCR) submission period for estate agency firms.
RCR Submission Deadline: 31 July 2026
All estate agency firms are required to submit an RCR online via the goAML platform. Use the link below to log into the system and complete the questionnaire online: –
The guidance notes and FAQs can be found on the website by accessing the link below: –
https://www.fic.gov.za/risk-and-compliance-return-submissions/
A copy of the draft RCR questionnaire is attached for your reference. Members are strongly encouraged to review the questionnaire and gather the required information before completing the online submission. Please note that once an RCR has been submitted, it is deemed final and cannot be amended, withdrawn or resubmitted.
Members are reminded that the Risk and Compliance Return (RCR) is a separate requirement from the Risk Management and Compliance Programme (RMCP).
Your RMCP is an internal compliance document that must be maintained, reviewed regularly and updated whenever there are changes to your business operations, risk profile or legislative requirements. It is not submitted annually to the FIC.
Before submitting your RCR, firms should ensure that: –
- Their RMCP is current and accurately reflects the firm’s business activities and risks.
- FIC registration details are up to date.
- Beneficial ownership information has been verified and updated where necessary.
- Compliance records and supporting documentation are readily available should they be requested by the FIC.
The FIC continues to increase its supervisory and inspection activities, making it more important than ever for firms to maintain accurate compliance records and submit their RCRs before the deadline.
If you missed the FIC educational webinar presented by Maryna Botha and need access to the recording and RMCP template and guidelines email info@rebosa.co.za
PPRA FFC RENEWAL SEASON OPENS 1 JULY 2026
PPRA will open the Fidelity Fund Certificate (FFC) renewal period on 1 July 2026.
Property practitioners whose FFCs expire on 31 December 2026 are reminded that renewal applications and payment of the prescribed fees must be submitted by 31 October 2026.
Members are strongly encouraged not to leave their renewals until the final weeks of the renewal period, as increased volumes place considerable strain on the PPRA systems, resulting in processing delays.
Members should ensure that the required supporting documentation is prepared in advance of submission and that business and contact information is up to date with the PPRA.
The Principal Property Practitioner’s FFC must be renewed before the FFCs of the firm’s agents can be issued.
If the Principal already holds a valid FFC, there is no need to renew or register again until it expires.
If the Firm’s FFC has expired but the Principal’s individual FFC is still valid, the Principal only needs to submit a Firm FFC renewal application and pay the admin fee of R704.
See PPRA Schedule of Fees below: –
https://www.rebosa.co.za/ppra-schedule-of-fees-1-april-2026-to-31-march-2027/
See PPRA Public Notice below: –
UNDESIRABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES: HOA ACCREDITATION FEES
Members are advised that the court application brought by the Association of Residential Communities (ARC) and the Residential Communities Council (RCC) relating to HOA accreditation fees and the PPRA’s declaration of certain accreditation fee practices as an undesirable business practice was heard on 8 May 2026. The matter has been argued before the Court and judgment has been reserved. We are currently awaiting the Court’s decision.
In the interim, practitioners are reminded that the PPRA’s Guidance Note regarding the temporary suspension of enforcement action remains in effect. In terms of this notice, the PPRA has confirmed that it will not institute enforcement action, impose fines or apply sanctions against property practitioners in relation to HOA accreditation fees until the matter has been finally determined by the Court.
The notice can be found using the link below: –
EDUCATION AND TRAINING UPDATE
REBOSA welcomed the announcement by the Minister of Higher Education and Training granting a 24-month extension for new enrolments into the legacy NQF Level 4 Real Estate Qualification (SAQA ID 59097), with the enrolment deadline extended to 30 June 2028.
The extension provides much-needed certainty for learners, employers and training providers during the transition to the new QCTO Occupational Certificate and preserves an accessible qualification pathway for candidate and non-principal property practitioners.
REBOSA encourages candidates to make use of this extension and enrol for the legacy NQF Level 4 qualification, which remains the quicker, more cost-effective and less onerous route to meeting the qualification requirement.
No extension has been granted for the legacy NQF Level 5 qualification. REBOSA has therefore urged aspiring principal property practitioners wishing to pursue the legacy qualification to enrol before 30 June 2026, failing which they will be required to follow the new Occupational Certificate qualification pathway.
Read the PPRA Public Notice below: –
https://theppra.org.za/important-update-on-the-completion-date-for-real-estate-qualifications/
REBOSA remains deeply concerned by the ongoing failures within the real estate education framework and the significant obstacles preventing candidate and principal property practitioners from entering and progressing within the profession.
We have formally engaged the relevant authorities regarding the administration of the recent EISA examinations, raising concerns over the examination content, limited accessibility of examination centres, and unacceptable delays in the release of results. We also lodged formal complaints regarding the PPRA’s continued inability to consistently register candidates and administer the Professional Designation Examination (PDE), resulting in unnecessary delays, uncertainty and disruption to practitioners’ professional advancement.
REBOSA has also submitted comprehensive proposals to the PPRA aimed at simplifying and streamlining the education and qualification framework, removing unnecessary regulatory barriers, and establishing a practical, fit-for-purpose qualification pathway. We await the PPRA’s response and will continue to advocate for meaningful reforms that support a fair, accessible and effective professional education system.
PPRA SYSTEM CHALLENGES
REBOSA remains extremely frustrated by the continued instability and poor performance of the PPRA’s IT systems, which are affecting virtually every aspect of the Authority’s operations. The consequences are being felt daily by property practitioners across a wide range of services, including FFC applications and renewals, 7-digit ref numbers, qualification upgrades and PDE enrolments, finance payment allocations, CPD administration and general query resolution.
The industry has endured ongoing system failures, intermittent downtime, missing records, payment allocation issues and significant administrative delays for an extended period. Matters that should be resolved in days are often taking weeks or months due to the systems limitations.
The PPRA launched its new portal for new applications on 15 June 2026. While the portal is now live, it remains only partially operational, with a number of technical issues and functionality challenges continuing to affect users.
https://ffcportal.theppra.org.za/
Members should also be aware that the PPRA’s Property Practitioner Search Portal remains unreliable and should not be used as the sole means of verifying whether a practitioner holds a valid Fidelity Fund Certificate, as the information displayed is frequently incomplete, inaccurate or out of date.
REBOSA continues to raise these concerns with the PPRA on behalf of its members. While we remain committed to assisting practitioners wherever possible, the ongoing system failures continue to hamper efforts to resolve member queries and are having a significant impact on the efficient functioning of the real estate industry.
PROPERTY PRACTITIONERS ACT COMPLIANCE
Members are reminded that Regulation 15.8 of the Property Practitioners Regulations requires practitioners to notify the PPRA within 14 days of any change to information previously supplied to the Authority.
This includes changes to:
- Contact details
- Business addresses
- Director information
- Employment status
- Delinking agents from your firm profile when they leave
- Other material registration information
Members are reminded of the requirements contained in 37.1 of the Property Practitioners Regulations.
The following wording must appear on all letterheads or marketing material pertaining to a property practitioner: ‘Registered with the PPRA’ and where a candidate estate agent is making use of such letterheads or is referenced in such marketing material, the fact that such individual is a candidate estate agent must be clearly stated i.e. “Candidate Property Practitioner Registered with the PPRA”
