In Ukraine, there is a proposal to introduce strict rules for real estate agents, including mandatory registration, certification, and a ban on charging commissions without client consent, to protect citizens and ensure market transparency, reports Baltimore Chronicle with reference to the petition on the government website. The petition has already gathered 25,000 signatures and is awaiting consideration by the Cabinet of Ministers.
The petition, submitted on July 25, reached the required number of votes by September 15. Its authors emphasize that Ukraine still lacks clear legal regulation of real estate agents’ activities, which leads to numerous problems. These include widespread abuse by individuals without official status, tax evasion, lack of consumer protection, and the existence of a large shadow market with an annual turnover estimated in hundreds of millions of hryvnias.
Citizens express concern over high commissions, reaching 50–100% of the monthly rent or 2–5% when purchasing property, even if they found the apartment or house independently without the help of an agent. “The absence of legislative requirements allows intermediaries to operate without registration, contracts, or accountability,” notes one of the petition authors, Yulia Vizenok.
The petition specifically highlights the issue of unjustified commissions, which Ukrainians are forced to pay intermediaries. For rentals, this amounts to 50–100% of one month’s rent, and for purchases, 2–5% of the property’s value. These facts further underscore the need for legislative regulation.
The petition’s initiators propose that the Cabinet of Ministers develop a law or regulatory acts to establish clear rules for real estate agents. Key proposals include mandatory registration as a sole proprietor or legal entity, minimum qualification and certification requirements, obligatory contracts or written confirmation of client cooperation, a ban on charging commissions without client request, and administrative liability for violations of the established rules.
It is also proposed to create an interagency working group involving the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Justice, State Tax Service, relevant associations, and public initiatives to develop an optimal market regulation model. The petition demonstrates Ukrainians’ demand for transparency and protection of their rights in the real estate market.
Earlier we wrote that how the war in Ukraine changed the real estate market in 2024–2025.
