How to check an agent is registered with the PPRA before you sign

You're about to hand someone keys to your home, authority over one of your biggest assets, and weeks of your time. Before that happens, you need to know whether the person across the table is actually registered with the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority. This isn't bureaucratic box-ticking—it's your legal protection. An unregistered agent can't bind you to anything enforceable, won't have professional indemnity insurance, and has no regulator to complain to if things go wrong.

The PPRA exists to keep estate agents, property managers, and conveyancers accountable. Checking registration is the first hard filter. Here's how to do it properly.

Search the PPRA's official register

Visit the PPRA's public search portal on their website and look up the agent by name. Write down their registration number—every licensed agent has one. A legitimate agent will know this off the top of their head; if they hesitate, squirm, or give you a reason why they can't provide it, that's a red flag worth walking away from. The register also shows what category they're licensed in (salesperson, broker, or franchise owner) and whether their licence is active or suspended.

Don't rely on the agent telling you they're registered. Don't take their word that they "just renewed it." Do the search yourself, while they're sitting there, and ask them to confirm the number matches their documentation. If the register shows nothing or a different name, stop the conversation.

Request and verify their fidelity fund certificate

Every registered agent must hold a fidelity fund certificate—this is proof that client money (deposits, trust funds, rental payments) will be protected if the agent goes under or commits fraud. Ask to see the original or a certified copy. The certificate should show the agent's name, registration number, and current expiry date. Photograph it or ask them to email it to you.

If they can't produce it or the date has passed, they're not operating legally, and you shouldn't sign anything. The fidelity fund is your safety net; without it, your earnest deposit or purchase funds could vanish. This isn't paranoia—it's happened to enough people that the fund exists.

Phone the references they give you

When you've confirmed the agent is registered, ask for contact details of three clients they've helped in the last two years. Pick one or two and actually call them. Ask about timekeeping, communication, what happened when complications arose, and whether they'd hire that agent again. Listen for hesitation, vagueness, or reluctance to recommend.

Don't accept references who are the agent's spouse, business partner, or anyone obviously connected. A good agent will have genuine client references who will speak candidly. If they refuse to provide references, claim they have privacy agreements that prevent it, or only offer to connect you via email so they can coach the reference first, that's a signal something isn't right.

Check for complaints history

Ask the agent directly: "Has the PPRA ever received a complaint about you? If so, what was it and how was it resolved?" They're required to disclose this. You can also ask the PPRA directly whether there's an active investigation or disciplinary record, though they may not share details of ongoing matters. Many agents have faced complaints; it's not automatic disqualification. What matters is how they handled it and what they learned.

Document everything before you sign

Once you've confirmed registration and checked the basic facts, get everything in writing. Your mandate agreement, fee structure, marketing plan, and timeline should all be spelled out in a document both of you sign. Don't rely on a conversation or a WhatsApp quote. If a registered agent is unwilling to give you a written agreement, question why.

Registration with the PPRA means the agent has passed vetting, carries insurance, and is answerable to a regulator. It doesn't guarantee they're the right fit for your home or your timeline, but it does mean you have recourse if they breach their obligations. Taking twenty minutes to check the register and request documentation upfront saves you from weeks of stress and potential financial loss later. When you're ready to move forward with confidence, Strove can connect you with verified agents who've already cleared these checks.