Criminal charges for on-selling agent

The Real Estate Agents Authority (REAA) has laid two fraud charges and an unlicensed trading charge against former Barfoot & Thompson agent Aaron Hughes, following an extensive investigation.

These charges comes on top of the two misconduct charges that Hughes lost his licence for last week.

The two fraud charges relate to Hughes’ conduct over the purchase of two properties.

On both occasions, Hughes did not disclose to the vendors that he had obtained valuations for the properties.

He then went on to buy the properties through his own company at prices significantly less than the valuation prices.

In one case, the valuation came in at $1.2 million. Hughes bought the property for $530,000 and, just three months later, on sold it for $1,255,000 causing the vendors to suffer loss.

In the other case, the valuation came in at $720,000. Hughes bought the property for $590,000. His company still owns this property.

Barfoot & Thompson director Peter Thompson told media these sales were conducted privately and without the company’s knowledge.

The unlicensed trading charge is for carrying out real estate agency work without a licence.

It comes about because of Hughes’ role in marketing three properties on Trade Me after voluntarily surrendering his real estate salesperson’s licence in April 2016.

Hughes had been dismissed by Barfoot & Thompson by this point.

REAA chief executive Kevin Lampen-Smith said the buying and selling of property is a big deal, both financially and emotionally.

“New Zealand’s consumers should be able to trust that the person they are dealing with is licenced, will treat them fairly and that they are playing by the rules.”

The majority of agents are professional and are out there doing a good job, he said.

“Our role is to protect consumers and promote a professional industry so agents who break the rules will be held to account and will face serious consequences.”

Consumers should protect themselves when buying or selling real estate by ensuring sure they are dealing with a licensed real estate agent, Lampen-Smith said.

“Check the REAA’s Public Register to see if someone is licensed and if they have had any complaints upheld against them.”

The two fraud charges and the unlicensed trading charge that have been laid against Hughes will be tried separately in the Auckland District Court.