Two real estate agents, Annette Sliper and Llewellyn Kemeys, have been censured by New Zealand's Real Estate Authority (REA) for failing to disclose a penguin protection plan on a coastal property they sold. The buyers complained to the REA after discovering the plan, which restricted development on the land to protect a penguin colony.
The REA's complaints assessment committee found that Sliper and Kemeys breached their obligations by not informing the buyers about the plan, which was a significant factor affecting the property's use and value. The area of the property has been suppressed in the decision to protect the penguin habitat.
The committee noted that the agents had been aware of the plan but did not mention it during the sale process. The decision highlights the importance of full disclosure in real estate transactions, especially when environmental protections are involved.
