IEASA celebrates this month



The Institute of Estate Agents of South Africa (IEA) celebrates its 66th anniversary this month. It was founded in July 1937 by amalgamating several regional estate agency organisations, some of which dated back to the early 1900s. IEA national president Bill Rawson says the institute is still as fully committed to supporting the property industry as it was back in the 1930s, and is probably more active today than it has ever been. "Our industry has gone through tremendous changes during the past decade," says Rawson. "The demands placed on estate agents have increased significantly, and they continue to grow as the lawmakers pile more and more laws on our heads. Today's estate agent must not only be able to sell or lease property. He or she is also expected to advise on related legal and tax matters, and to gather information for the Financial Intelligence Centre. As the industry's professional body, we provide as much support and training as we can." Rawson places education and training at the top of the IEA's list of priorities. The IEA is represented on the Services SETA (which is responsible for promoting skills development in the property industry), on the SA Property Education Trust (which publishes property-related textbooks), and on the Standards Generating Body for Real Estate (which is developing national qualifications for the industry). Rawson points proudly to the IEA's achievements over the years. They include the industry's first professional courses and certificates, a code of ethics, a standard for commissions and fees, a fidelity fund, and the formation of the Estate Agency Affairs Board, which is the industry's regulating authority. The IEA operates through nine regional institutes, which are co-ordinated by a national head office. Each regional institute supports the estate agents in its area, and provides its members with courses, workshops, and networking functions. Enquiries: phone IEA National 021 531 3180 or visit the website www.ieasa.org.za.