CEA Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct

Common questions

Is the CEA Code of Ethics legally binding?

Yes — it sets out mandatory professional obligations under the estate-agency regulations, and breaches can result in disciplinary action against the salesperson or agency.

Can a salesperson appeal against a Disciplinary Committee decision?

Yes. The appeal goes to an Appeals Board that is independent of CEA — not back to CEA and not to the courts. The notice of appeal must be lodged within 14 days of being notified of the decision, together with a non-refundable fee of $1,000, and the Appeals Board's decision is final. The same Appeals Board also hears appeals against CEA's own decisions, such as one on a licence or a registration.

Can a property agent give an opinion on future prices?

Only one they can back up. Paragraph 7(3) of the Code of Ethics and Professional Client Care requires any opinion given to a client or anyone else to be justifiable by reference to verifiable facts, and given with professional integrity, objectivity and courtesy. A bare prediction of a price rise, with no data behind it, breaches the Code even though it is framed as an opinion.

Can a property agent hold my deposit or option money?

No. Regulation 7 of the Estate Agents (Estate Agency Work) Regulations 2010 makes it an offence for an estate agent or salesperson to hold or handle any money for or on behalf of any party to the sale or purchase of a property in Singapore, or to the lease of an HDB property. Conviction carries a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment of up to 6 months, or both. Pay the seller or the conveyancing solicitor directly.

Can my agent pass my cheque to the seller?

Yes, within a narrow exception. Regulation 7(2)(a) permits a salesperson to deliver, on behalf of a party, a crossed "account payee" cheque or cashier's order drawn in favour of another party to the transaction. The agent is acting as a courier for an instrument that can only be banked by the named payee — quite different from taking cash, taking a cheque made out to themselves, or holding the money in their own account, all of which are offences. Regulation 7(2)(b) separately allows a salesperson to receive remuneration or reimbursement for managing, repairing or renovating the property under a written contract or authorisation.

Does the transaction-money ban cover rent on a private condo tenancy?

Regulation 7(1) reaches the sale or purchase of any property situated in Singapore and the lease of HDB property — so a private residential tenancy's rent and security deposit fall outside the regulation 7 offence. That is not permission to collect them: the Code of Ethics still requires honesty, diligence and the client's interests to come first, CEA's guidance is that consumers should pay the payee directly through verifiable means, and mishandling the money can still lead to disciplinary action or a criminal charge such as criminal breach of trust. In the exam, check whether the question asks about an offence under regulation 7 or a breach of the Code.

What happens if an agent breaches the Code of Ethics?

CEA investigates, then takes one of two routes. Less serious breaches are dealt with by CEA itself through a Letter of Censure, with or without a financial penalty of up to $5,000. Serious breaches are referred to a Disciplinary Committee of at least three members drawn from CEA's Disciplinary Panel, which can impose a financial penalty of up to $200,000 on an estate agent or $100,000 on a salesperson, suspend or revoke the licence or registration, attach or vary conditions on it, or issue a written reprimand. For anti-money laundering, proliferation financing and terrorism financing breaches those caps apply per breach rather than per case, from 1 July 2025 (Estate Agents Act 2010, ss 49, 51 and 52).