The Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA) says despite precedents set in the past, level 8 BEE compliance is now non-negotiable for all real estate agencies with a turnover of more than R2.5 million.
Section 48 of the new Property Practitioners Act states that no entity may act in the capacity of a property practitioner without a valid FFC, and it further makes it clear that an FFC may not be issued without a BEE certificate.
According to Jan le Roux, CEO of Rebosa, the only requirement is a valid BEE certificate issued by a SANAS-registered verification entity, and no minimum score is currently necessary.
However, this appears to have changed. Legal manager and acting transformation manager at the PPRA, Deli Nkambule, explained that “the PPRA’s position is that it will not issue an FFC unless a compliant BEE certificate accompanies the application. The accepted level of compliance is 40 points or more (BEE Level 8). You will not be issued a BEE certificate if you score below 40 (making your BEE certificate non-compliant),” she said.