1. The Property and the Agreement DetailsParties Involved: The seller and the agency enter into this agreement. If someone is signing on behalf of the seller, a legal document (Power of Attorney) must be attached to show authorization.
Property Description: The specific property being sold is described (e.g., its address, plot number, and any fixed items included).
Condition of the Property: The seller declares there are no hidden defects to their knowledge, and all fixtures (like built-in cupboards or lights) are fully paid for and owned by them.
2. Exclusive Mandate and Timeframe
- Exclusive Rights: The seller gives the agency sole and exclusive rights to market and sell the property.
- Price: The property will be marketed at the agreed price (called the "mandated price"), which includes the agency's fee.
- Duration: The mandate starts on the date the agreement is signed and ends at 24:00 on the agreed end date.
- VAT Status: The seller confirms whether they are a VAT-registered vendor.
3. When the Agency Fulfills the Mandate
The agency fulfills their part of the agreement when:
- They Bring a Buyer: They present a buyer who offers at least the mandated price with reasonable terms.
- The Property is Sold: The seller signs a sale agreement with a buyer introduced by the agency during the mandate period.
4. Professional Fees (Commission)
- Agency’s Fee: The seller agrees to pay the agency a professional fee (commission), which is a percentage of the sale price.
- When Fees are Due:
- If the seller rejects a valid written offer at the mandated price, the fee is still payable.
- Once a sale agreement is signed.
- As specified in the sale agreement if different.
- If the seller sells the property under specific circumstances listed in clause 6 (e.g., after the mandate ends but to a buyer introduced by the agency during the mandate).
- VAT: The commission is subject to VAT at the current rate.
5. RNS Listing
- What is RNS? Residential Network Systems (RNS) is a property listing service where multiple agencies can access the property details.
- Agency's Obligation: The agency must list the property on RNS within 2–10 working days of the mandate start date.
- Shared Access: Other RNS member agencies will also have the right to market the property.
- Commission Sharing: If another RNS agency (not the listing agency) sells the property, the commission will be shared between:
- The original listing agency.
- The selling RNS agency, as agreed in percentages.
- Attorney Authorization: The seller authorizes the transferring attorney (chosen by the seller) to deduct and pay the commission from the proceeds of the property sale upon registration.
6. Appointing a Conveyancing Attorney
- Transfer Process: The seller agrees to use a specific attorney to handle the legal transfer of the property once it is sold.
- Agent’s Role: The agency will include this attorney’s details in the final sale agreement.
What This Means for the Seller
- The seller gives the agency exclusive rights to sell their property for a set period.
- The seller agrees to pay a commission when the property is sold or if a valid offer is rejected.
- The property will be listed on a network (RNS), giving multiple agents access to find buyers, but the original agency handles the process.
- The seller pre-authorizes payment of commission through the transferring attorney.