--- title: Consumer Protection Act imposes extra inspection duties on the estate agent description: Estate agents selling a home will inevitably find themselves intruding on the seller’s privacy and this can cause annoyance.... --- [![Rawson Property Group logo](https://blog.rawson.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/Rawson%20-June2017/image/logo-rawson-property-group-white-112x26.png?width=113&height=26&name=logo-rawson-property-group-white-112x26.png "Rawson Property Group logo")](https://www.rawson.co.za/) [![Rawson Property Group logo](https://blog.rawson.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/Rawson%20-June2017/image/blog-logo.png?width=113&height=26&name=blog-logo.png "Rawson Property Group logo")](https://www.rawson.co.za/) [More Menu ](https://blog.rawson.co.za/consumer-protection-act-imposes-extra-inspection-duties-on-the-estate-agent#footer) - [Blog](https://blog.rawson.co.za) - [Consumer Protection Act imposes extra inspection duties on the estate agent](https://blog.rawson.co.za/consumer-protection-act-imposes-extra-inspection-duties-on-the-estate-agent) # Consumer Protection Act imposes extra inspection duties on the estate agent [News](https://blog.rawson.co.za/topic/news) [![Share on Facebook](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/251674/hubfs/1px.png?width=24&name=1px.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rawson.co.za%2Fconsumer-protection-act-imposes-extra-inspection-duties-on-the-estate-agent%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/251674/hubfs/1px.png?width=24&name=1px.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rawson.co.za%2Fconsumer-protection-act-imposes-extra-inspection-duties-on-the-estate-agent%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/251674/hubfs/1px.png?width=24&name=1px.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rawson.co.za%2Fconsumer-protection-act-imposes-extra-inspection-duties-on-the-estate-agent%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rawson.co.za%2Fconsumer-protection-act-imposes-extra-inspection-duties-on-the-estate-agent%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Consumer%20Protection%20Act%20imposes%20extra%20inspection%20duties%20on%20the%20estate%20agent) [![Share on Pinterest](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/251674/hubfs/1px.png?width=24&name=1px.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rawson.co.za%2Fconsumer-protection-act-imposes-extra-inspection-duties-on-the-estate-agent%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.hubspot.com%2Fhub%2F158015%2F305390_10100548508246879_837195_59275782_6882128_n.jpg) Estate agents selling a home will inevitably find themselves intruding on the seller’s privacy and this can cause annoyance.  It is for this reason, says Bill Rawson, Chairman of the Rawson Property Group, that estate agents have to [learn](http://www.rawson.co.za/news/advice-to-estate-agents-how-to-protect-yourself-from-the-consumer-protection-act-id-879) to be extremely tactful, if possible phoning or visiting sellers only at times that genuinely suit them.  Nevertheless, says Rawson, it is the estate agent’s duty these days to examine the home thoroughly and to take nothing for granted. “There have recently,” says Rawson, “been a number of cases where the estate agent has taken a home “on trust”, only to find out after the buyer has moved in that it does indeed have serious problems:  the geyser may not be working as it should, stains on the carpets have been hidden by furniture, windows and doors do not open, shut or lock as they should, the electric stove has one or two malfunctioning hot plates, the swimming pool filter is on its last legs and the roof leaks badly in wet weather.  In many cases the list of problems can be very lengthy indeed.” Previously, says Rawson, the seller or estate agent was able to avoid any responsibility for such matters by “hiding behind” the [Voetstoots clause](http://www.rawson.co.za/news/property-sellers-should-be-honest-about-defects-id-164) – and if the seller dealt directly with the buyer without the involvement of an estate agent he was very adequately protected by this clause. Today, however, says Rawson, if the sale has involved the services of an estate agent, that agent is obliged to look for and report faults and if this is not done and faults do become evident after the sale, the buyer can invoke the Consumer Protection Act and call either for the sale to be cancelled or for all repairs to be paid at the seller’s cost. “As a link in the ‘supply chain’ and as a person involved full time in the selling of homes, the estate agent is by law today obligated to carry out a very thorough inspection and in cases of doubt to get, from the seller, a written guarantee that to the best of his knowledge the home is in good working condition and does not have faults.” ##### For more information, email [marketing@rawsonproperties.com](mailto:marketing@rawsonproperties.com) or visit [www.rawson.co.za](https://www.rawson.co.za/) for the latest market tips and industry news. ## Rawson ### Leave a comment ### More Posts Jul 02, 2026 #### [Stock shortage puts Western Cape sellers in the driving seat](https://blog.rawson.co.za/stock-shortage-puts-western-cape-sellers-in-the-driving-seat) advice [![Share on Facebook](https://blog.rawson.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/social-uploaded-images/Facebook%20Icons.png?width=24&name=Facebook%20Icons.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rawson.co.za%2Fconsumer-protection-act-imposes-extra-inspection-duties-on-the-estate-agent%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://blog.rawson.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/social-uploaded-images/Linkedin%20Icon.png?width=24&name=Linkedin%20Icon.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rawson.co.za%2Fconsumer-protection-act-imposes-extra-inspection-duties-on-the-estate-agent%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://blog.rawson.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/social-uploaded-images/Twitter.png?width=24&name=Twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rawson.co.za%2Fconsumer-protection-act-imposes-extra-inspection-duties-on-the-estate-agent%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rawson.co.za%2Fconsumer-protection-act-imposes-extra-inspection-duties-on-the-estate-agent%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Consumer%20Protection%20Act%20imposes%20extra%20inspection%20duties%20on%20the%20estate%20agent) May 28, 2026 #### [Rates increase by 25 basis points: What May’s MPC decision means for SA property](https://blog.rawson.co.za/rates-increase-by-25-basis-points-what-mays-mpc-decision-means-for-sa-property) [![Share on Facebook](https://blog.rawson.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/social-uploaded-images/Facebook%20Icons.png?width=24&name=Facebook%20Icons.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rawson.co.za%2Fconsumer-protection-act-imposes-extra-inspection-duties-on-the-estate-agent%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://blog.rawson.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/social-uploaded-images/Linkedin%20Icon.png?width=24&name=Linkedin%20Icon.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rawson.co.za%2Fconsumer-protection-act-imposes-extra-inspection-duties-on-the-estate-agent%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://blog.rawson.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/social-uploaded-images/Twitter.png?width=24&name=Twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rawson.co.za%2Fconsumer-protection-act-imposes-extra-inspection-duties-on-the-estate-agent%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rawson.co.za%2Fconsumer-protection-act-imposes-extra-inspection-duties-on-the-estate-agent%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Consumer%20Protection%20Act%20imposes%20extra%20inspection%20duties%20on%20the%20estate%20agent) May 19, 2026 #### [Who’s fixing what? Rental property maintenance for landlords and tenants](https://blog.rawson.co.za/whos-fixing-what-rental-property-maintenance-for-landlords-and-tenants) rental-advice [![Share on Facebook](https://blog.rawson.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/social-uploaded-images/Facebook%20Icons.png?width=24&name=Facebook%20Icons.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rawson.co.za%2Fconsumer-protection-act-imposes-extra-inspection-duties-on-the-estate-agent%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://blog.rawson.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/social-uploaded-images/Linkedin%20Icon.png?width=24&name=Linkedin%20Icon.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rawson.co.za%2Fconsumer-protection-act-imposes-extra-inspection-duties-on-the-estate-agent%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://blog.rawson.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/social-uploaded-images/Twitter.png?width=24&name=Twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rawson.co.za%2Fconsumer-protection-act-imposes-extra-inspection-duties-on-the-estate-agent%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rawson.co.za%2Fconsumer-protection-act-imposes-extra-inspection-duties-on-the-estate-agent%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Consumer%20Protection%20Act%20imposes%20extra%20inspection%20duties%20on%20the%20estate%20agent) [![Rawson Property Group logo](https://blog.rawson.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/Rawson%20-June2017/image/logo-rawson-property-group-white-112x26.png?width=113&height=26&name=logo-rawson-property-group-white-112x26.png "Rawson Property Group logo")](https://www.rawson.co.za/) Property - [Residential](https://www.rawson.co.za/property/for-sale) - [Commercial](https://www.rawson.co.za/commercial-property/for-sale) - [Bank Mandated](https://www.rawson.co.za/property/for-sale?bank-mandated=1) - [Auctions](https://www.rawson.co.za/property/for-auction) - [New Developments](https://www.rawson.co.za/property/for-sale?new-development=1) Services - [Sell](https://www.rawson.co.za/sell) - [Rent](https://www.rawson.co.za/rentals) - [Commercial](https://www.rawson.co.za/commercial) - [Landlords](https://www.rawson.co.za/landlords) - [Auctions](https://www.rawson.co.za/auctions) Rawson - [Finance](https://www.rawson.co.za/finance) - [Join us](https://www.rawson.co.za/join-us/become-a-rawson-sales-partner) - [Blog](https://blog.rawson.co.za) - [About us](https://www.rawson.co.za/about) Partners - [Private Property](https://www.privateproperty.co.za/rawson) Contact Rawson Property Group Head Office 222 Main Road Rondebosch, WC 7700 South Africa [+27 (0)21 658 7100](tel:+27-21-658-7100) © Copyright Rawson Properties 2017. All rights reserved. - [Terms of Use](https://www.rawson.co.za/terms) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.rawson.co.za/privacy) - [PAIA Documents](https://www.rawson.co.za/paia) 1. [Follow us on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/RawsonProperties/) 2. [Follow us on Twitter ](https://twitter.com/rawsongroup)