Rera warns Dubai brokers: Stop unwarranted SMS, phone-calls or face legal action

Real estate brokers in Dubai have been told to stop sending SMSes or making unsolicited calls to property owners not listed with them, according to a Real Estate Regulatory Agency (Rera) circular.

The circular, issued recently, states: “All real estate brokers are not allowed to SMS or call property owners if their properties are not listed by the owner for sale or rent as per the used templates by the real estate offices.”

It adds: “If you don’t obey this, legal action will be taken.”

This website has reported earlier that brokers who are found to have misled investors, co-operated with unlicensed brokers or made phone calls to promote/advertise a project, can face fines of Dh50,000. The fine increases to Dh100,000 for repeated violations.

Rera reiterated the warning today, October 1, asking real estate brokers to stop telemarketing.

The agency said it had received numerous complaints from property owners and developers who have been contacted by third parties promoting their marketing services, despite the properties often not being displayed for sale.

"We have made contact with all real estate offices in Dubai asking them to refrain from such annoying tactics as direct telemarketing, as they do not provide any benefits for the sector,” said Yousef Al Hashmi, Senior Director, Licensing Department, Rera.

“We have reiterated that all real estate brokers and agents should abide by the clear set of governing rules and legislation for the promotion and marketing of real estate properties by using existing methods that have been established by the agency.”

Sultan Al Suwaidi, Head of Permits and Inspections, Rera, said contacting property owners directly in order to offer sales and marketing services is not only a breach of the guidelines from Rera, it goes against the whole ethos of the profession.

Real estate brokers are allowed to place advertisements promoting their own services and can also promote projects that have been pre-approved with the developer, owner or landlord.

“When advertising their services on-line, every real estate office is required to include their unique registration number, which must be placed on all communication documents,” he added.
 

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