Realtor Associations Ask Regulator to Investigate Bezrealitky Over "Misleading" Advertising

The Association of Real Estate Companies of the Czech Republic has filed a complaint with the Czech Trade Inspection Authority, demanding an investigation into Bezrealitky over allegations that the service is misleading its customers. The complaint centers on a new offering called Komfort, launched earlier this year.

Bezrealitky offers clients a service package for a 1.5% commission on the transaction, covering everything from finding a buyer to drafting contracts and providing legal support — services that, according to the company itself, traditional real estate agents charge significantly more for.

It's precisely this claim that has drawn the industry association's ire. "This statement is misleading and, frankly, rather paradoxical. Not only are consumers effectively paying Bezrealitky exactly the same commission, but a rate of 1.5% plus VAT is perfectly standard in the real estate market," the complaint submitted to the regulatory body states.

According to Bezrealitky, traditional real estate agencies charge commissions ranging from 4 to 5 percent of the transaction value. Miroslav Duda, president of the association, cites a different range — from 1 to 7 percent. "It always depends on the arrangement with the client. Sometimes 1.5% is too much, and sometimes even ten percent isn't enough to cover the costs," explained Tomáš Jelínek, director of Century 21.

Bezrealitky rejects the accusations, insisting it misleads clients neither through its name nor through how it presents its services, and attributes the realtors' discontent to their reluctance to lose commission income. "Bezrealitky has been operating for almost twenty years, and over that time — like any company in the world — we've evolved. The name has stayed the same because people know it and trust it," said Pavel Skalský, the company's marketing director.

Source: novinky.cz