The real estate profession will require mandatory accreditation and regular training
Ukraine is developing new rules for the real estate market that include mandatory exams and registration of professionals in an open database. The initiative aims to improve service quality and exclude representatives of the aggressor state from the profession. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine (Тетяна Веремєєва) citing Olena Shuliak, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
Draft law №16145 introduces a two-tier market access system. The first level applies directly to the professional, who must undergo professional training and pass an examination to obtain a certificate. Furthermore, professionals are required to complete continuing education every two years; otherwise, their authorization will be automatically suspended.
The second level of regulation covers real estate agents, which may be companies or individual entrepreneurs. The requirement for them is to have at least one accredited professional on staff. Intermediary activities are permitted only after entering the entity’s data into the Unified Registry, which will be accessible to the public 24/7.
Market access and restrictions
The verification system will allow clients to check a realtor’s status, company affiliation, and record of disciplinary actions using the advertisement number. Legislators intend to prohibit individuals with corruption-related criminal records, representatives of the aggressor state, and companies linked to jurisdictions on the FATF blacklist from working in this sector. Additionally, there is a proposal to ban brokerage services in temporarily occupied territories, including online platforms.
The registry administration remains a point of debate. The draft law suggests creating a single Ukrainian Union of Real Estate Professionals with mandatory membership. An alternative version of the document, registered on October 27, proposes the use of several self-regulatory organizations. Olena Shuliak warns that such decentralization might trigger competition based on leniency toward violators rather than service quality.
Anti-abuse mechanisms
To minimize corruption risks associated with a potential monopoly by a single union, clear control tools are proposed. Specifically, membership fees are capped at two minimum wages, and disciplinary hearings must be conducted publicly with online streaming. Commission decisions will be subject to appeal, and the union’s financial reporting will undergo mandatory independent audits.
The authors of the initiative plan to strengthen these safeguards before the second reading. Professional associations and developers of the alternative draft law have been invited to collaborate. Concurrently, the Parliament is reviewing changes to tax legislation that could reduce the income tax rate for landlords from 18% to 5%.
Photo: RBC-Ukraine
