HDB cautions property agents against misuse of resale portal

Warning against soliciting business comes as more agents apply for eligibility letter

- Joyce Lim

The Housing Board has warned property agents against approaching flat sellers through its resale listing portal to offer their services, amid a rise in the number of agents applying for HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letters.

Prospective buyers need an HFE letter which indicates their eligibility to buy a flat, receive grants and financing options to schedule viewings of units listed on HDB's resale flat listing (RFL) service, which was officially launched on May 30.

Property agents who are not appointed by a buyer would not be able to contact sellers on the portal, unless they have an HFE letter.

In an e-mail to property agents seen by The Straits Times, one real estate firm said HDB has informed the agency that there has been an increase in the number of

agents applying for an HFE letter.

"Salespersons are not allowed to approach flat sellers through the HDB RFL services, for example, being able to approach flat sellers because they have an HFE," the email noted.

The agency said HDB will take firm action against errant property agents, including banning them from the HDB Flat Portal and reporting the matter to the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) for further investigation.