Stricter Rules for Property Agents to Raise Standards, Reduce Fake Listings and Improve Transparency
Stricter Rules for Property Agents to Raise Standards, Reduce Fake Listings and Clarify Commissions
New measures include minimum transaction requirements, longer licence and registration validity periods, commission-data collection and stronger safeguards against inaccurate or unauthorised property listings.
Market: Singapore
Topics: CEA, Property Agents, Industry Regulation
Singapore’s real estate agency industry is set to undergo a significant regulatory update as the Council for Estate Agencies, or CEA, introduces new measures to raise professional standards, strengthen consumer protection and improve transparency.
The measures include a minimum transaction requirement for property agents, longer licence and registration validity periods, collection of commission data and proposed safeguards against fake, inaccurate or unauthorised property listings.
Property agents must complete at least three transactions within three years or pass a refresher examination.
The minimum transaction requirement will take effect from January 2027 and will apply across residential, rental, commercial, industrial and en bloc transactions.
Key Changes for Property Agents and Agencies
Minimum Transaction Requirement
From January 2027, property agents will be required to complete at least three property transactions during a rolling three-year period in order to renew their registration.
Agents who do not meet the requirement may retain their registration by passing a refresher examination covering essential knowledge required for conducting estate agency work.
Longer Registration and Licence Validity
CEA will extend the validity period for both property-agent registrations and property-agency licences from one year to three years.
The first three-year registration cycle is expected to run from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2029, reducing annual administrative renewals while maintaining regulatory oversight.
Collection of Property Commission Data
From January 2027, CEA will begin collecting commission data from property agencies across residential sales, residential rentals, commercial transactions and industrial property transactions.
The information will initially be aggregated and anonymised. The move is intended to provide a clearer picture of prevailing commission practices and support greater transparency for consumers.
Proposed Compulsory Estate Agency Agreement
CEA is considering requiring property agents to enter into an Estate Agency Agreement with their clients. The agreement would provide greater clarity on the agent’s role, responsibilities, services and commission arrangements while reducing the risk of disputes.
Stronger Measures Against Fake Listings
Additional measures are being studied to reduce inaccurate, duplicate, fake and unauthorised property listings. These may include stronger verification of listing authenticity and improved safeguards for consumers using online property platforms.
Better Access to Agent Information
Other measures under consideration include publishing consumer ratings of property agents, improving public access to CEA’s register and enhancing the HDB resale listing platform to provide a more reliable and transparent property-search experience.
Singapore Real Estate Agency Sector
Industry figures stated as at 1 July 2026.
What the Changes Mean for Property Agents
Active property professionals are unlikely to face difficulty satisfying the minimum transaction requirement. However, agents who conduct transactions only occasionally will need to monitor their activity and ensure that they remain professionally competent.
Professional Competency
Agents must remain familiar with regulatory requirements, transaction procedures and market developments.
Accurate Advertising
Listings must be genuine, properly authorised and accurately represent the property being marketed.
Commission Clarity
Commission arrangements should be communicated clearly and properly documented before work begins.
Consumer Confidence
Greater transparency may help consumers identify active and qualified property professionals more easily.
Potential Benefits for Property Consumers
- Greater assurance that appointed agents remain active and professionally competent.
- Improved transparency over commission arrangements and the services being provided.
- Better protection against misleading, duplicate or unauthorised property listings.
- Clearer information on the roles and responsibilities of property agents.
- More reliable access to information when selecting a property agency or salesperson.
Implementation Timeline
New Transaction Requirement Begins
Property agents begin the first three-year period for satisfying the minimum transaction requirement.
Commission Data Collection
CEA begins collecting commission information from property agencies across different transaction categories.
First Three-Year Cycle Ends
Agents must have completed at least three recognised transactions or meet the applicable refresher-examination requirement.
Source note: This article is based on information reported by The Business Times on 29 July 2026 regarding regulatory measures announced for Singapore’s real estate agency industry. Readers should refer to official CEA announcements for final implementation details and regulatory requirements.
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