Independent property managers hit back

The controversy arose because the government proposes to amend the Act, introducing tougher licensing requirements and disciplinary procedures. However, the review will not apply to property managers or letting agents.

Currently, property managers who are Real Estate Institute members refer to themselves as ‘licensed’, and some of them oppose the proposals, saying their effect is that property managers will no longer have to be regulated. There is, however, no legal requirement for property managers to be licensed, and those who are not REINZ members refer to themselves as ‘independent’.

Independent property manager Glenn Morris says, “There is no argument that property managers should not be licensed, only that they should not be licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act”.

Morris, owner-operator of Glenn's Vacancies Nelson and foundation member of the Independent Property Managers’ Association (IPMA) says the institute’s current qualification requirements are “inadequate for the task of management,” and “lacking in external accounting qualification requirements”.
 
Morris is also the secretary of the Nelson Property Investors’ association. “A common comment,” he says, “is that property management divisions have a conflict of interest with the sales divisions of real estate companies”.
 
Matthew Faid, president of IPMA, questions whether REINZ is “the most appropriate body to be charged with licensing property managers”.