www.shaproperty.com

SINGAPORE: The Housing Development Board (HDB) will cease the Listed Housing Agents Scheme (LHAS) from Thursday.

The LHAS Scheme was introduced with the aim of upgrading the level of professionalism of housing agents operating in the resale market for HDB flats.

One of the qualification criteria for the scheme include passing the relevant examinations recognised by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).

The benefits enjoyed by listed agencies under the LHAS Scheme will now be cut-over to agencies accredited under the Singapore Accredited Estate Agencies (SAEA) Scheme.

The SAEA Scheme is jointly administered by the two major professional bodies representing estate agents in Singapore - the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV) and the Institute of Estate Agents (IEA).

More than 70% of the 275 listed agencies under the LHAS have joined the SAEA Scheme since its inception.

It is not mandatory for resale flat buyers and sellers to engage housing agents but those who wish to do so may consider engaging one from an accredited agency to benefit from the quality check provided by the system of accreditation. - CNA /dt