Frequently Asked Questions
Click on any of the questions below to reveal the relevant answers. If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to get in touch with us.
Click on any of the questions below to reveal the relevant answers. If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to get in touch with us.
I am not yet in the industry; how do I become a Property Practitioner/ Full Status Estate Agent, and can I start studying before I am employed?
Yes, you can start studying certain courses before becoming a Candidate Property Practitioner/ Intern Estate Agent. For example, your Logbook Knowledge course, NQF level 4 in Real Estate, and Skill-enhancing courses. This will also beef up your CV and get you one step ahead before you join. The steps are listed in this video:
How do the courses work at PropAcademy?
You register for the course and get started once payment reflects. When you order your course, you create an online profile where you will log in to start your course. You will then start with M1 and work your way systematically down the list. Your course has learning material, and depending on the course; we offer videos, quizzes and resource material for you to use. We support you throughout your course. Once completed, you will receive your certificate of achievement. Each course has a course duration and will expire.
How should I prepare to start my online studies?
Do you offer payment plans?
YES! When you register for a course, you will get to the billing page and need to choose a payment option, EFT, Debit or Credit Card. Further to this, PayJustNow offers interest-free loans (we cover the fees, not you) to anyone who qualifies. These fees are payable over 3-month instalments.
Who must hold an FFC?
Any person who is dealing in property for gain. https://www.propacademy.co.za/who-needs-a-ffc/
Description: Any natural or juristic person who deals in property for gain. A primary residence is excluded.
Where a developer/managing agency/auctioneer and other industries that now fall under the definition of Property Practitioners are trading and require an FFC to be paid commission, can they apply for an exemption so that they can receive their commission payments?
No. All natural and juristic persons who fall under the definition of Property Practitioner/ Estate Agent must hold an FFC. To hold an FFC, they must open an Agency Firm and have a Principal Property Practitioner in place.
Do administrative staff now have to apply for an FFC?
No. If the staff member is not liaising with the public to sell or lease a property, then they do not require an FFC.
Do I have to get an FFC and comply with the PPRA/EAAB?
Any person who is dealing in property for gain. This will include individuals who for example are letting their properties through Airbnb.
If you applied for an FFC after 1 February 2022, and you haven’t received it, are you meant to re-apply now through the PPRA/EAAB for it to be issued within 30 days?
Within 30 days from the date of application, the Authority must consider any application that meets the requirements. It is deemed to have been accepted unless the Authority, within those 30 days, advises the applicant of a reason required for an extension on good grounds. This extension may not exceed 20 working days. Should the applicant not supply all application requirements, then the 30 days will start again from when they supply all required documents and proof of payment.
Exemptions are allowed for non-compliant agents or agents that could only previously comply by paying a penalty to The Authority. Is this now waived and can I apply for my FFC?
Yes. From the date that the Act was effective, 1 February 2022, any non-compliant agent can apply for their FFC and will not be charged penalties for past offences as long as those offences did not include any offence whereby it is legislated that FFCs may not be issued, such as being in liquidation. If a person is wanting to apply for their FFC where in the past they incurred penalties for not de-registering, or for trading without an FFC, penalties will be waived
Fidelity Fund Certificates (FFCs) are now valid for 3 years. When do we have to apply?
Property Practitioners/Estate Agents holding a valid FFC must apply for a 3-year FFC on the renewal date, end of October each year.
The PPRA/EAAB FFC Renewal fee is too high, they mentioned a payment plan, is this still available?
No, they decided not to offer it. You need to pay EFT or credit card, upfront.
How do I renew my FFC?
Please explain the FFC renewal process.
When I renew for 3 years, if I leave during this period, will I be refunded?
There is no provision in any legislation or policy which allows the practitioner to get a refund.
I paid for my 2022 FFC in the middle of October 2021, but still haven’t received anything yet – even after a few queries and sending proof of payment to the PPRA/EAAB.
Unfortunately, our hands are tied, and we cannot source your FFC for you, but we can refer you to a firm that gives this service.
Do I understand correctly that my Agency doesn’t have to pay for their FFC, only the Principal and Practitioners/ Agents do?
Yes. The Firm or business practitioner does not have to pay any FFC fees because of the legislation which provides that only natural persons pay for FFCs.
I am a Principal for a few Agencies, do I have to pay for Principal FFC renewal multiple times under each Agency?
Yes.
Who is the deadline for?
What if I don’t comply in time?
As per the PPRA/EAAB notice, non-compliance means that your FFC will be blocked. You will need to pay a minimum penalty of R1000, submit a completed application form, and if granted, your FFC will be unblocked and a further 6 months will be given to the Property Practitioner/Estate Agent to fully comply with the PPRA educational requirements. If you do not comply, your FFC will be disqualified.
How do I qualify as a Property Practitioner/Estate Agent?
If a Property Practitioner/Estate Agent has been in the industry since 2012, do they have to produce an intern logbook?
If the agent held an FFC for a full year before Jan 2013, he does not have to complete his Intern Logbook PoE.
How long is the internship?
It takes 12 uninterrupted months to complete, during which period you complete an Intern Logbook Portfolio of Evidence (PoE), showing that you have been active in the field and have acquired knowledge of Real Estate. We advise that you complete your NQF4 in this period too, to avoid delays with compliance.
Can I complete this online?
The training material will be available online for you to complete, however, the purpose of the internship is to give you hands-on training in the workplace under the mentorship of a Principal Property Practioner/Estate Agent or a Property Practitioner/Estate Agent that has been qualified for at least 3 years. All the collected information you acquire during your training must be filed in your PoE. If you are new to online learning, click here to learn how to prepare for your online Real Estate course.
What does your Premium Residential Intern Logbook look like once you have logged in?
Do I get a certificate for each Knowledge Module that I do i.e. Modules 3 to 17?
Every time you complete quizzes 1-17 you receive an email showing your results. Print this and put it on the top of your module. Please check that these emails are not blocked by your server or sitting in your junk mail.
I have completed my quizzes, how do I print them?
You cannot print the quizzes, only the results.
Do I get a full certificate once I have finished?
Once you have completed Modules 1-28 you will be able to download your certificate by logging in and clicking on View Profile, then clicking on the certificate icon next to the course completed. Print and place on the top of your file. If submitting electronically, make sure this is the first page the PPRA/EAAB sees.
I have finished my PropAcademy Logbook, can you check it?
We do not check the logbooks before your submission, you just need to make sure you have completed the logbook course from start to finish.
When is my Logbook due at the PPRA/EAAB?
You need to submit your Logbook to the Authority 12 months from your first FFC issue date, no sooner.
How do I submit my PropAcademy Logbook course to the PPRA/EAAB?
Your Logbook can be submitted by delivery to The Authority’s physical address or via email to [email protected] or [email protected]. We suggest that when you send your email, you send your file via wetransfer or another platform if you choose the email option, and just share the link with them. Watch a short clip here on how to use wetransfer. Please give them your information, name, surname, FFC number and a short paragraph regarding your submission.
After my internship am I a qualified Property Practitioner/Estate Agent?
No. You will remain a Candidate Property Practitioner/Intern Estate Agent until you have been found competent in your Logbook, NQF4 and Professional Designation Exam Level (PDE) 4 which is set by the PPRA/EAAB.