‘Dobadobas’ ripping-off house hunters

The delay in operationalising Malawi's property market regulator has left house hunters vulnerable to scams and rogue agents, despite a law passed by Parliament to regulate the industry. Desperate buyers are being exploited through cloned property adverts, non-refundable viewing fees, and other illicit practices. The regulatory failure has had a personal cost for some individuals, highlighting the urgent need for effective regulation in the sector.

The Malawian property market has been plagued by unscrupulous agents and scams, leaving house hunters exposed to financial loss and exploitation. Despite the passage of legislation aimed at regulating the industry, the operationalisation of the regulator remains delayed. This has created a power vacuum that is being exploited by rogue operators, causing significant harm to those seeking to purchase property in Malawi.

In 2020, Parliament passed a law aimed at regulating Malawi's property market. However, the delay in establishing an industry regulator has hindered efforts to enforce compliance with the new legislation. The lack of effective regulation has created an environment conducive to scams and exploitation, as desperate house hunters are being targeted by unscrupulous agents.

The situation highlights the need for urgent action to operationalise the property market regulator. Without effective regulation, the industry will continue to be plagued by rogue operators, causing harm to consumers and undermining confidence in the sector. The delay in establishing the regulator has already had significant consequences, with individuals like Sylvia Mbwana suffering personal losses.

The Malawian government must take immediate action to operationalise the property market regulator and ensure effective enforcement of the new legislation. This will require a concerted effort to address the systemic issues that have led to the current situation. Practitioners in the sector should be aware of the risks posed by unscrupulous agents and take steps to protect their clients from exploitation.