Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/652704
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 13 MARCH 2016 News 7 Property code only protects vendors, broker claims MIRIAM DALLI A white paper launched by the parliamentary secretariat for com- petitiveness aimed at regulating Malta's property code has been "modelled on an insurance type of system that only protects the ven- dor", according to Sensara Malta founder Janice Azzopardi (right). Azzopardi, one of just three de- clared full-time property interme- diaries – more commonly known as sensara – has also hit out at the white paper as having tried to wipe out intermediaries from the prop- erty market at the expense of buy- ers. "If today you have the Malta De- velopers Association and the Fed- eration of Estate Agents affiliated together, who is safeguarding the client? As a broker, an intermedi- ary, I am more of a consultant than a salesperson. We seek to offer the best to our clients. But this white paper only safeguards the vendor," she told MaltaToday. Arguing that intermediaries, as property consultants, ensure a smooth sale, Azzopardi denounced an imposition in the white paper that would have forced brokers like herself to charge a five per cent commission. Although in the white paper, it is understood that the proposal will not be included in the bill. "I charge a commission of 1% from each side. Why would some- one force me to charge higher if it's not what I want? This would have been nothing short of a cartel sys- tem," she said, arguing that a law should never impose on an indi- vidual how much to charge. Real estate agents, on the other hand, charge five per cent, she said. Azzopardi believes that it is the big developers and the big real estate agents who want intermediaries out of the way. The Malta's Property Code and Regulations white paper defines sensara as 'a village broker' con- ducting property transactions but who do not advertise their services on any social or media networks; restrict their services to occasional transactions; and do not employ persons in the conduct of their business. "Why call me a village broker if I'm a professional and an interme- diary working for both the buyer and the seller? The white paper should have safeguarded the pub- lic and all those who worked in the sector. In reality it was done to safeguard the big agents," Azzo- pardi reiterated. Voicing her opinion in favour of licences for those operating in the property business, Azzopardi con- ceded that there were hundreds of individuals who called themselves sensara just because they would come across or learn of a potential sale. A licence would help regulate this point and protect the profes- sionals, who like her, are in the business to make a living out of their career. She also questioned how foreign- ers who are not able to communi- cate in Maltese can close a deal with clients involving inherited property – where contracts are usually in the Maltese language. "If I choose to work in Italy, I will be licensed to work in one par- ticular region and would have to undertake an exam in Italian. The property market is not just about selling luxury properties. Who is safeguarding our jewels?" In previous media confer- ences and public statements, junior minister Jose Herrera said that the white paper was launched for consulta- tion with the goal of drafting a bill that would safeguard all stakeholders. He had also admitted that bro- kers had felt sidelined. The purpose of the white paper was to draw up a proposal establishing an institutional and legal framework together with a code of conduct and real estate ed- ucational programme. The white paper looks at residential sales and lettings, commercial sales and let- tings, condominium management and international sales agents. It also proposes the setting up of a body to regulate the property ne- gotiation profession. ticular region and would have to undertake an exam in Italian. The property market is not just about selling luxury properties. Who is safeguarding our jewels?" In previous media confer- ences and public statements, junior minister Jose Herrera said that the white paper was launched for consulta- tion with the goal of drafting a bill that would safeguard all stakeholders. He had also admitted that bro- kers had felt sidelined. The purpose of the white paper was to draw up a proposal establishing an establishing an institutional and gotiation profession. Times editors deny commercial interference THE editors of The Sunday Times, the Times of Malta and timesofmalta.com have categori- cally denied any editorial inter- ference from the commercial arm of Allied Group in the daily run- ning of the newspapers. "The editors enjoy full inde- pendence in their day to day deci- sions in respect of the newspaper. Never has a commercial consid- eration motivated an editorial decision, never mind a political one," Steve Mallia, Ray Bugeja and Herman Grech said yester- day. Allied Newspapers, publish- ers of The Times newspaper, yesterday announced they had launched an inquiry following "very serious allegations" made by Malta Independent columnist Daphne Caruana Galizia in her blog. The Allied board was convened on Friday afternoon after the blogger claimed "graft in high places" at Allied Newspapers, arguing that it "directly impact- ed on the credibility of those two newspapers in the run-up to the general election of 2013", and linked this to holdings in the British Virgin Islands alleg- edly owned by OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri and also by man- aging director Adrian Hillman. Hillman is taking leave until the conclusions of the inquiry are considered by the board. The three newspaper editors expressed their concern over al- legations made in relation to Hill- man, but also said that the "com- mercial side of the organisation is distinct from editorial". They said that, as with any other organisation, the editors dialogue with the management of the company, including the manag- ing director, but the management have never imposed editorial de- cisions. "Those are the sole dis- cretion of the editor," they said. In a statement on Radju Malta yesterday, Bugeja said the news- papers respected the decision made by the board. "As to the possible impact on journalists, please note we have always made a clear distinction between the commercial and administra- tive side of the company and the editorial side. Though we are in continuous contact and discuss issues, we make our own editorial decisions. So in reality, this deci- sion does not change anything." The Allied Newspapers board said that their independent in- quiry was a measure of good governance and in no way was it accepting the veracity of the alle- gations. "In accordance with best practice, and in agreement with the incumbent, the managing di- rector will be taking leave until the conclusions are considered by the board." Greens call for Schembri's suspension Reacting to the latest develop- ments Alternattiva Demokra- tika chairperson Arnold Cassola called for Schembri's suspension. "Prime Minister Muscat should immediately suspend Keith Schembri pending a thorough in- vestigation. As the Prime Minis- ter's Chief of Staff, Mr Schembri has access to all reserved infor- mation about our country's se- curity, each individual citizen of Malta, delicate information about possible terrorist activities and any reserved and classified in- formation which only the Prime Minister is privy to," he said. Cassola added that the coun- try's security and democracy are at stake. "It would be totally irrespon- sible on the part of the Prime Minister if Keith Schembri is not suspended immediately and kept away from all the state informa- tion in Castille," Cassola said.