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SA real estate industry under the microscope in parliamentary inquiry
South Australian property professionals will face increased scrutiny, as a parliamentary inquiry seeks submissions from consumers across the state.
In a bid to strengthen the real estate industry in South Australia, residents have been called upon to make submissions for a new parliamentary inquiry.
The inquiry invites those who have experienced issues with industry professionals, such as real estate agents and property managers, to submit their account to the Select Committee on the Conduct of Real Estate Professionals in South Australia.
The committee will then investigate the prevalence of misleading, deceptive, or unreasonable conduct, including underquoting, inadequate appraisals, non-disclosure of faults, and rental bidding.
Additionally, the inquiry will examine the adequacy of existing regulations and the conduct of agents, property managers and other industry professionals across the state.
Real Estate Institute of South Australia (REISA) CEO Andrea Heading said that REISA supported constructive scrutiny of the industry that was evidence-based and directed towards practical improvement.
“However, any inquiry should distinguish between conduct that requires regulatory intervention and broader systemic issues, including tribunal delays, consumer education, private landlord obligations and the need for consistent enforcement of existing laws,” Heading told SPI.
She said that it was important to recognise the limits of an agent’s professional expertise.
“Agents are not building inspectors, engineers or construction professionals and should not be expected to identify technical or structural defects requiring specialist qualifications,” Heading said.
“Consumer protection is best achieved when responsibilities are clearly allocated to the appropriately qualified professionals.”
In addition to addressing property professionals through the inquiry, Heading said creating a higher standard of education and increasing support for private landlords were important steps in strengthening the state’s property sector.
She said any concerns regarding the industry’s conduct should be addressed through transparent and proportionate regulatory action.
“This includes improved dispute resolution through SACAT, where prolonged delays create uncertainty and hardship for landlords, tenants and property managers and undermine confidence in the tenancy system,” she said.
The Select Committee will be headed by SA Greens MP Robert Simms, who said too many residents had fallen victim when things went wrong.
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“Buying, selling or renting a home is one of the biggest financial decisions people will ever make, and South Australians deserve to know they’re being treated fairly,” Simms said.
He said the inquiry was a significant step in the right direction to ensure the industry continued to operate at a high standard and consumers were protected.
“This inquiry will allow us to properly examine whether our current rules are strong enough to protect consumers and identify what needs to change.”
“People deserve a fair deal when they’re buying, selling or renting a home.”
The inquiry comes as several cases of underquoting have been found in Victoria and NSW recently, including 10 agents fined over a two-month “blitz” by NSW Fair Trading.
The parliamentary inquiry will be open for submissions until Friday, 23 October 2026.
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