How to File a Formal Complaint against a Real Estate Agent

Have you ever encountered some problems with your real estate agent? Is your current agent not working in your best interest?

If your answer to these questions is a resounding – “Yes!” Then you need to file a complaint against your real estate agent. Now, there are two ways of filing a complaint. By law, every real estate company have a complaint procedure and if you have a problem with a particular real estate agent, you can either talk to the manager or go straight to the owner. Although in most cases, you will be obliged to put your complaints into writing. You need to enumerate the activities of your agent and why you think he/she is liable to what you claim.

In dealing with these types of problems, I urge you to be diplomatic and not to be overwhelmed by your anger. You should always go for a peaceful resolution and be sensible to your current situation. Let the agency fix your problem and most importantly – they should stop this from happening again in the future.

However, if you’re not satisfied with the results and the agency has done nothing for your cause, then you can go for the second method. Before I go in-depth with this method, you can search Google for REAA or Real Estate Institute Authority. Learn more about them and how they can help you with your concerns. Basically, you can download a form from their website which you can use to make your formal complaint.

Once they received your formal complaint, it is now their obligation to investigate the matter. If any wrongdoing is found, then they will obviously reprimand the agent. They could even cancel the agent’s licence. I know this is harsh and the agent could even lose his/her livelihood, but if you think that they are not really doing their job, then you can go for the second method. However, it would be great if you can resolve your complaint through the agency rather than REAA, because being investigated by authorities can tarnish their reputation in the property market.