Complaints increases due to non-compliant advertisements, says Estate Agents Authority

Hong Kong's Estate Agents Authority received a total of 253 complaints cases in 2025, an increase of around 56 percent compared to the previous year.

The surge in complaints is largely attributed to issuing non-compliant advertisements. Amongst the complaints concerning issuing non-compliant advertisements, many were related to providing inaccurate property photos or issuing advertisements without obtaining the owner's prior written consent, said EAA.

Out of the 253 complaints, 40 were related to first-hand residential property, representing an increase of 13 cases compared to 2024.

The total number of individual licensees was 37,744 by the end of last year, recording a decrease of 1.9 percent. 

Besides, disciplinary actions were taken against 319 licensees or former licensees, according to EAA.

EAA noted that it will launch a new practice circular in February to provide guidelines for the trade to follow, aligned with the implementation of the Basic Housing Units Ordinance which is set to take effect in March.