25 Aug 2016

Agent hiked house price by 15% in one day

1:06 pm on 25 August 2016

An Auckland real estate agent has been stripped of his licence after on-selling a house on the same day for a hiked-up price.

Open home sign at a house for sale in East Auckland

The former Barfoot and Thompson Real Estate agent has had his licence revoked. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

The Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal has decided to cancel the licence of former Barfoot and Thompson Papatoetoe agent, Aaron Hughes.

Mr Hughes had earlier admitted a misconduct charge over the sale, for failing to obtain the best possible price for the vendors and bringing the industry into disrepute.

The Papatoetoe property was on-sold on the same day with a 15 percent mark-up.

Mr Hughes also admitted on-selling another house within a few days.

The Real Estate Agents Authority has welcomed the cancellation of Mr Hughes' licence, saying it sent a clear message to the industry.

Mr Hughes will not be able to hold a real estate licence for five years.