Frequently Asked Questions

• How does your on-line valuations system, PropStats, work?
Propstats is offered free of charge to Institute members.  Sales are captured by the agency administrators once the suspensive conditions have been met - click here to access PropStats.  You use your membership number together with a password which will be emailed to you when you join the Insitute.  If you have forgotten your password, type either your new or old membership number and press password reminder and your password will immediately be emailed to you.

• How do we arrange a demonstration of PropStats?
Call  021 531 3180  or click here to send us an email to request a demonstraton of the PropStats website at your offices or next training session.

• Where do we park when we come to your offices?
Parking may be found in the Howard Centre pay parking area.  The Institute does not have parking for students directly outside its offices.  Click here for more info on the Centre.

CAREERS:
• What courses and events do you currently offer?
For information on training and functions, please click on TRAINING or FUNCTIONS

IEASA NETWORK:
• I would like to join my local IEASA area committee.
If you are interested in getting more involved in your area send us an email with your details - Click here to view the Area Committee Convenors or Area Committee Members

AGENT INFO:
• Can I please have the Estate Agents Affairs Board [EAAB] contact details?
Estate Agents Affairs Board – contact details
Phone:   011 731 5600 
Fax:  011 880 995
Email:  eab@eaab.org.za
Website:  www.eaab.org.za

• I am having trouble obtaing my FFC Certificates.
We have successfully assisted many of our members in obtaining their elusive FFC certificates.  Kindly forward an email to wardah@cape.ieasa.org.za with your query together with your valid IEASA membership number.

• Do I need to de-register when I cease to be an agent?
Yes.  You must notify the EAAB when you cease to be an agent.  If you (or your employer on your behalf) do not follow this procedure the EAAB they will expect you to pay for your licence for the period you were not an agent before they issue you with an FFC again.  To ensure that you will not be liable for these costs, follow this up with the Affairs Board.

• When do I need to notify the IEASA of changes to my details?
You need to notify the Institute when your details change or if you
I change agencies or if agent click on the following link and complete the update form,   http://www.ieasawcape.co.za/downloads/member-update-form.doc, or notify us of your new details by an email to membership@cape.ieasa.org.za

• I am a Principal leaving the Estate Agency profession, what do I need to do?
You will need to notify the Estate Agency Affairs Board.  You will also need to submit a Nil return accounts for the relevant trust accounts with the assistance of your accountant.  Contact the EAAB for more information, details given above.

MUNICIPAL INFORMATION:
• Where do I check my signboard rules and regulations?
The City Council has published the Outdoor advertising and Signage by-law on their website of which Schedule 12 mainly relates to agent show house boards.  The by-law is 30 pages in length containing information relating to banners, billboards and appeals and transit advertising etc., click on the link,  for a full version of the gazetted by-law.
http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/ByLaws/Documents/By-law%20-%20Outdoor%20Advertising%20and%20Signage.pdf

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT:
• Who do tenants and landlords get in touch with when they have a regarding rental issues?
Rental Housing Tribunal
Phone  0860 106 166 

NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK: - NEW EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

Explanation of ABBREVIATIONS:

4.         I have been an agent for 4 years; do I have to write the new EAAB exam?
All registered agents that have been in the industry for 5 years or longer (on the 15^th July 2008) are exempt from the new exam (called the Professional Designation Examination – PDE). 

HOWEVER, these agents are NOT exempt from completing the FET Certificate!  All agents who have been in the industry for LESS than 5 years will have to do the PDE exam after they have completed the FET Certificate.

After completion only, will you receive a Fidelity Fund Certificate (FFC)

5.         If an agent is new in the industry and has just written and passed the “old board exam”, must he still to the new qualification?
ALL existing agents in SA will have to get the new qualification through the RPL process, whether you have been an agent for 6 months, 6years or 16 years! The “old board exam” will however grant you some credits towards obtaining the new qualification. 

6.         I’ve been selling houses for 18 years; do I really need the new FET Certificate?
YES, but start your journey towards achieving the qualification through RPL. Prove your competence. Areas that you are not able to show competence in will then be addressed after the RPL through formal training and assessment. (Many agents will show full competence competence during the RPL process and will not have to attend additional training)

7.         I am an expert estate agent, can I offer training?
In order to train in the SETA / SAQA environment, you must be a subject matter expert and an educationalist (at least be a registered facilitator and assessor) You must then work for an accredited provider, as only accredited providers can award nationally registered credits. 

8.         How long will it take before I receive my FET Certificate?
It depends on you. Where you are paying for the RPL, you can elect to do the RPL module by module, or you can enrol for the full qualification in one go. However, if you are awarded a bursary you will need to meet set deadlines and submission dates. It can take 6 weeks to 3 years – totally up to you.

9.         How will I know if the course I am doing is accredited?
Ask the RPL centre for their SETA decision number, and ask to see their certificate that specifically states they are registered with SETA. If you make use of a provider that is not accredited (for this specific qualification) you will not earn any credits, and all the work you have done will be for nothing, and has to be repeated!

 10.        For how long will my FET Certificate be valid?
It is a qualification that you earn. It will be valid forever. However, you will have to maintain your industry knowledge through Continuing Professional Development – CPD with the EAAB and Services SETA. Details available in due course.

 11.        I understand Principals will need a NQF level 5 qualification. Must I first acquire a NQF level 4 qualification?
The FET Certificate level 4 is not compulsory for Principals. They can wait for the NQF5 Real Estate (which will be registered by SAQA shortly). Once registered, Principles can go through their own RPL process to achieve it.

 12.        Will I be able to pass the new qualifications?
We do not use the words pass and fail anymore – nowadays we say people are either competent or not yet competent. As long as you put in sufficient effort and time. If you are found not yet competent, you have up to two chances to remediate and gather more evidence. Alternatively you may elect to attend bridging training and be assessed rather than remediate.

 13.        Where and how must I start?
Do your own research in order to find an accredited assessment centre (www.serviceseta.org.za).  Once you have decided, you can enrol. Go with a provider that matches your needs. Follow one providers’ process to the end.  

14.        If I follow the RPL process, must I still go for further training?
It is possible to obtain the full 150 credits (in other words the full FETC Real Estate) through the RPL process. In this case top-up training is not necessary. However, you may have areas where you cannot show an assessor that you are fully competent. Your assessor will tell you what unit standards you are competent in and which you are not yet competent in. You can then decide – do you want to remediate (do a supplementary), or do you want to attend training to bridge the gaps?

15.        Will there still be a “Board exam”?
The old multiple choice exam will be replaced by the Professional Designation Examination (PDE) which will be set and administered by the EAAB. The PDE will be written after you have obtained the FETC Real Estate in full (all 150 credits).

16.        What is a Portfolio of Evidence? (PoE)
A portfolio of evidence is a file containing the evidence produced by the candidate, and consists of:  Exercises, activities, projects and knowledge tests to support and prove your competence, and is cross referenced to the unit standards.  Start by compiling your Evidence! 

BECOME A MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE OF ESTATE AGENTS, YOUR PROFESSIONAL BODY TO ASSIST AND GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS !

For further information, please contact our website: IEASA W Cape  www.ieasawcape.org.za

Or our offices at  021-531 3180 .

Useful websites:
Estate Agency Affairs Board  -  www.eaab.org.za                       
South African Qualifications Authority  -  www.saqa.org.za                      
Services SETA  -  www.serviceseta.org.za