ZimNow News Desk
Two young men have been arrested in Madokero, Harare, over allegations of operating as estate agents without valid practising licences.
The Estate Agents Council of Zimbabwe said it conducted the compliance operation jointly with the Zimbabwe Republic Police Commercial Crimes Division on July 14, 2026.
“The matter is now before the relevant authorities,” the council said.
It urged members of the public to verify the registration status of estate agents before making payments or entering property transactions.
The arrests have brought renewed attention to the growing informal rental-agent economy operating in many Harare neighbourhoods.
Many of the informal agents are young people who connect landlords and prospective tenants through community WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages and personal networks.
Unlike established estate agencies, which generally charge property owners management or placement fees, informal agents often charge prospective tenants a once-off viewing or “agent” fee.
The model has become popular with some homeowners in high-density and newly developed suburbs because they can secure tenants without paying commission.
However, the arrangement leaves tenants exposed when agents collect viewing fees, deposits or rentals without authority from the property owner.
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Zimbabwe’s Estate Agents Act requires people conducting estate agency work to be registered, while agencies handling money on behalf of clients are required to maintain trust accounts under the supervision of a principal registered estate agent.
The Estate Agents Council also offers a negotiators’ training programme with a listed registration fee of US$25, while its main professional programme has a US$200 registration fee and academic entry requirements.
Reaction to the Madokero operation has been divided between calls for stronger consumer protection and demands for easier entry into the regulated property sector.
One social media user argued that registration requirements were too costly and bureaucratic for young people trying to earn an honest living.
“The problem with Zimbabwe is too much bureaucracy,” the user wrote, calling for the requirements to be reduced.
Another commenter said affordability challenges could not excuse dishonest conduct.
“The problem is criminality. If they were being honest everyone would understand because it’s convenience,” she said.
Registered companies can also fall foul of the law if they conduct estate agency business without a qualified Principal Registered Estate Agent or a valid Compensation Fund Certificate.
In a previous case, Zuhause Properties was prosecuted after its principal agent’s authority expired while directors of Property Basket Private Limited were convicted for operating their own unregistered agency while employed as sales negotiators at a registered firm.
Members of the public can check an agent’s credentials with the Estate Agents Council before paying viewing fees, deposits, rentals or property-purchase funds.
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