12/02/2026
How Quack Agents Are Eroding the Integrity of Estate Agency Practice
As an Estate Surveyor and Valuer, I write this with a deep sense of concern and personal frustration. A profession built on training, ethics, regulation, and public trust is steadily being undermined by individuals who parade themselves as “agents” but have no knowledge of the standards or ethics that guide real estate practice. What we are witnessing today is not just an unhealthy competition, it is a gradual erosion of the sanctity, sanity, and integrity of our profession.
In our city today, the property market has become a playground for quacks whose only qualification is access to a vacant apartment and a phone number. These individuals now dictate rental prices without any understanding of valuation principles, market evidence, or neighbourhood dynamics. Rents are increased arbitrarily, not because of demand and supply realities, but because an agent “feels” the property can fetch more. This reckless behaviour distorts the rental market and unfairly burdens tenants, while landlords are misled into believing they are getting market-driven advice.
Even more troubling is the resurgence of the shameful practice popularly called “drink money.” Prospective tenants are compelled to part with payments that have no basis in professional agency. Sadly, the public often assumes these practices are endorsed by Estate Surveyors and Valuers, not knowing that we neither recognize nor support such exploitation.
The situation is worsened by the alarming trend of agency fees being raised to as much as 20%, far beyond what is acceptable in professional practice. These fees are charged without accountability, without standards, and without any form of regulation. Yet, when tenants complain about exploitation, it is the image of the Estate Surveyor that is stained.
Perhaps the most dangerous consequence of this quackery is the complete neglect of tenant screening and security checks. Professional agency is not merely about collecting rent; it involves due diligence, background checks, and ensuring that landlords and communities are protected from criminal elements. Many of these agents are only interested in closing deals quickly, with no regard for the security implications of who occupies the property.
The painful reality is that qualified Estate Surveyors and Valuers are now being judged by the actions of these impostors. Years of training, certifications, and adherence to ethical standards are being overshadowed by the activities of people who operate outside the law. The profession is being dragged into disrepute through no fault of those who are properly trained to uphold its standards.
This is why I believe the time has come for stronger enforcement, greater public awareness, and firmer regulatory action against illegal practice. The public must be educated to understand the difference between a registered professional and a roadside agent. Our regulatory bodies must do more than issue warnings; they must actively protect the practice space.
This is not just about professional pride. It is about restoring order, fairness, and trust in Nigeria’s property market. If we allow quackery to thrive unchecked, we risk normalizing exploitation and insecurity in a sector that should be guided by professionalism and integrity.
Perri Precious, MNIVS, RSV
Port Harcourt
