The property industry is up in arms about new regulations enforced by the Property Practitioners’ Regulatory Authority (PPRA) despite the ‘incompetence’ of the PPRA to administer examinations for candidate practitioners.

Rapport notes that candidate practitioners are now expected to pass their exams within six months and candidate practitioners who have been candidates for up to two years will be deregistered by end January if they haven’t passed their exams.

Property association Rebosa estimates that up to 20 000 candidate practitioners face deregistration by the end of January 2023.

An online examination attempt on 17 November was chaotic as some candidates did not receive a link to the exam and others could not access the exam.

The PPRA then scheduled physical exams on 30 November 2021.

One candidate says she arrived at the Sandton venue where 500 candidates were informed that only 200 could sit for the exam.

Following threats of legal action by 70 estate agencies, the PPRA said it will schedule re-examinations for February and March.

PPRA chief executive Deli Nkambule said they are not responsible for the chaotic exams as a third-party provider, Lucidity, was responsible for it.

Lucidity did not respond to queries.

Full report in Rapport report (subscription needed)