Dear Member/Prospective Member

Welcome to the Institute of Estate Agents – South Eastern Cape.  Our Institute has been in existence since 1937 and has a long tradition of providing meaningful benefits to member estate agents.

Why become a member?

Because a fragmented industry remains disunited and ineffective.

The Institute of Estate Agents of South Africa, being the oldest professional body estate agents can be affiliated with, is a non-profit organisation, which has, as its main objectives, to protect, enhance and further the interest of estate agents.  The Institute is therefore an official mouthpiece of the real estate fraternity and is called upon to represent the industry in negotiations with government, local authorities and the Estate Agency Affairs Board (which is a consumer representative body). Membership support is therefore imperative in order for us to be an effective and persuasive mouthpiece for the industry.

ORIGINS

• South Africa's estate agency industry dates from the late 1700s or early 1800s.  ·The first industry organisation was established in the then Transvaal Colony in 1905 and similar provincial bodies were established in the Orange Free State in 1932 and the Cape in 1935.

•  In 1937, the three bodies united to form a single national organisation, the Institute of Estate Agents and Auctioneers of South Africa. The auctioneers later left to form their own association.

ORGANISATION

• The Institute was a single unitary organisation, with a president and an executive director until 1994, when it was decentralised into regional institutes, co-ordinated by a national body.

• Each regional institute is a Section 21 company, with its own membership, its own board of directors - who serve without payment - its own chairman and staff, its own training programme, and its own fee structure.

• The national body consists of a board made up of delegates from the regions.

SERVICE TO MEMBERS

• The Institute provides its members with a range of services, of which the most important is training. There are also networking and social functions. Some regions provide listing services and property price guides.

• The Institute represents its members - and, by extension, the estate agency industry - in dealings with government, the Estate Agency Affairs Board, the Services SETA, and with associated organisations such as the National Association of Realtors.

• The Institute maintains a website for all its regions:  www.ieasa.org.za

ETHICS

• As a professional service-provider, you are expected to have a high standard of ethics.  In addition to the government (EAAB) Code of Conduct that is binding on the whole industry, IEASA has its own code, designed to promote the highest possible standards.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

• In an industry as competitive as ours, it's inevitable that disputes arise between estate agencies from time to time, and sometimes they turn into lengthy and expensive court cases.  When this happens between IEASA members, our regional offices offer a dispute-resolution service aimed at solving the problem as smoothly and speedily and inexpensively as possible.

SOME ACHIEVEMENT

Some of the Institute's achievements since its inception in 1937:

• persuaded the government (after 39 years of lobbying!) to establish the Estate Agency Affairs Board to regulate the industry

• established a fidelity fund for the industry in 1966 - it was taken over by the EAAB in 1977

• served on the Steyn Commission sub-committee to establish a Black estate agency industry

• currently serving on the Property Sector Transformation Charter Steering Committee

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·        introduced the industry's first professional qualification, the Certificate of the IEA  (which was discontinued when the EAAB introduced an official examination in 1984)

·        served on the Standards Generating Body for Real Estate which developed unit standards for the new national qualifications

·        serves on the Services SETA Property Chamber

·        serves on the SA Property Education Trust

·        published standard sale and lease contracts for members to use

·        successfully fought several unsuitable items of legislation, such as the 1995 "Property Transactions with Consumers Bill"

TRANSFORMATION

The Institute has committed itself to promoting racial transformation and economic empowerment in the estate agency industry, and for that reason it is a signatory to the Property Charter.

A few regions have pioneered a successful mentorship programme for previously disadvantaged estate agents.

NATIONAL

·        IEA National is a section 21 (not-for-profit) company, whose members consist of the regional institutes.

·        Directors serve voluntarily and are not paid for their services.

·        The board chooses a president and vice-president from among its members. An administrator, based in Cape Town, supports them.

·        The National board co-ordinates the regional institutes.  On behalf of the regions, it publishes Standards of Practice, a Code of Ethics, and standard contract documents.  It represents the Institute in dealing with government, the Estate Agency Affairs Board, and other official bodies.

REGIONS

		President:  Willie Marais
		Vice-President: Ken Ralph
		National Directors: Arnold Neil, Mike Jarman, Glenda Nicolaisen, Stan Pillay, Jaco de Lange, Kerry Warburg and Peter Venter
		Administrator: Kate Colsell

OBJECTIVES:

The Institute of Estate Agents is a non-profit organization, which has, as its main objective, to protect, enhance and further the interest of estate agents.  The Institute is therefore the official mouthpiece of the real estate fraternity and is called upon to represent the industry on negotiations with government, local authorities and lending institutions.

While the Institute is not a statutory body and therefore does not have legislative powers in terms of the Estate Agents Act of 1976, the Institute is a body, which governs the conduct of its members, encouraging the highest level of professionalism in real estate.

TRAINING & INFORMATION DISSEMINATION:

The Institute places considerable emphasis on the education of estate agents by providing access to seminars, conventions, training, literature and other sources of information, which will help agents to adapt to the rapidly changing environment in which they operate.  Further training details are available from the Institute office.

As an estate agent, there will be many times when you need expert advice and guidance.  IEASA Regional offices provide members with access to industry leaders, and specialists in many fields, who are willing to help.

MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA:

Membership of the Institute of Estate Agents is voluntary and is open to all estate agents in possession of a valid Fidelity Fund Certificate and is subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors. 

Only members in good standing may use the MIEA designation on letterheads, business cards and in advertising of any form. 

Members are bound by the “Ethical Obligations of Members” which sets specific parameters of conduct by members.  These Ethical Standards, set by the Institute, provide the consumer with the peace of mind of knowing that Members uphold the very highest standard of conduct and service.

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

IEASA has been the estate agents' professional home since 1937.  We provide our members with:

·        Visibility of your membership details on the Institute website

·        Regular seminars & workshops for members

·        Regular networking events for property people – Golf Day, Race Day, Outings

·        Real Estate training courses

·        Standard form documents such as Leases and Sales agreements

·        Advice from experienced Board of Directors

·        Mediation in the case of disputes between members

·        The opportunity to participate in decision-making

·        A set Code of Ethics

·        Reduced fees for attendance at training courses and conventions.

·        The co-ordination and organization of Training courses to prepare you for the board exams and to further your career as an estate agent.

·        The pride of being an Estate Agent.

·        The buzz magazine, which aims to keep you informed and motivated.

·        Administration of an Institute Listing Services, which helps you and your agency to make more effective sales. Note: Membership of the Listing Service is dependant on all your agents being members of IEASA.

TRAINING COURSES

Attendance fees for training, events and seminars offered at discounted rates to our members.

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

The Institute of Estate Agents SE Cape Region offers three categories of membership:

Individual Member:

Limited to agents holding a Fidelity Fund Certificate in the position of principal, employee or candidate.  Membership is for one year, renewal date being the date of joining.

Membership fee:  R275 per annum

Country Member:

Limited to agents living 150km or more from Port Elizabeth.  Country members have full membership benefits and voting rights.

Membership fee:  R195-00 per annum.

Associate Member:

Limited to individuals or companies operating in associated businesses such as banking, conveyancing etc.  These members do not have voting rights.

Membership fee: R275 per annum.

Further information on the history of the Institute, membership, complaints & disputes procedures, training, events, property news, products and services, frequently asked questions and useful contacts are available on-line at www.ieasa.org.za

The purpose of this brochure is to provide you with an introduction to the Institute of Estate Agents.  Should you have any queries regarding membership, please call (041) 364 2805.  Enclosed is a membership application form, which should be completed and returned to the Institute office together with your subscription fee.  

We look forward to welcoming you as a member of the Institute.

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