A former Cleveland real estate agent has been reprimanded and fined $10,000 by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal after proceedings started by the Office of Fair Trading.
Pamela Dawn Neilson faced disciplinary action after she failed to notify the OFT that she had become bankrupt, gave false information to the OFT when applying to renew her real estate agent licence, and had continued to sell properties while unlicensed.
In addition to a $10,000 fine, Ms Neilson was also suspended from holding a certificate for four months, a state government statement said.
The tribunal heard Ms Neilson had held a real estate agent licence since 2005 but failed to inform the OFT when she became bankrupt in October 2015, as required.
Ms Neilson's bankruptcy made her unsuitable to hold a real estate licence but between October 2015 and January 2017 she continued to work in a real estate salesperson capacity, selling 21 properties.
The tribunal also heard that on September 29, 2016, Ms Neilson lodged a licence renewal application, which included a signed declaration that she was not bankrupt.
Ms Neilson eventually advised the OFT of her bankruptcy on December 16, 2016.
On December 20, 2019, the tribunal released its decision in this matter. It found Ms Neilson had conducted herself in a way that was unprofessional but in determining penalty noted she had subsequently self-reported, had cooperated with the OFT and had accepted the disciplinary grounds.
Fair Trading executive director Brian Bauer said agents needed to remember the importance of acting in accordance with their licensing requirements.
"Agents must be honest about their circumstances and aware of their obligations," Mr Bauer said.
More information on the obligations of real estate agents is on the OFT website at qld.gov.au/fairtrading.
