Regulators warn property brokers to cease cold calling

DUBAI // Property brokers were warned by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency on Monday: stop cold-calling homeowners or risk a heavy fine.

The regulatory arm of the Dubai Land Department, Rera, issued the warning following complaints from residents who were disturbed by unsolicited calls from brokers asking about their property.

The letter, written by the real estate inspection department and sent to all registered property brokers in Dubai, said direct telemarketing phone calls breached regulations.

Fines of Dh50,000 have been levied on three property offices that persisted with the phone calls despite warnings. “After looking at the complaints in detail we sent a warning letter to 20 real estate offices in Dubai,” said Yousif Al Hashimi, Rera’s deputy chief executive.

Homeowners have long complained of phone calls and emails from brokers asking them to sell their property.

Several residents had approached developers to insist that their contact details were not given to property houses.

Despite a 2011 Central Bank ban on banks from marketing products through telemarketing calls, unsolicited telemarketing for financial services is widespread.