Purchasing a home is an expensive endeavour, and only some individuals try it with the assistance of an experienced adviser. Most people use an estate agent as their advisor. But how can you know you're getting a knowledgeable guide and not being misled? The answer is straightforward: a Fidelity Fund Certificate (FFC). What happens if an estate agent does not hold an FFC? According to the Act, it is prohibited for an agent to operate without a valid Fidelity Fund Certificate, and an agent cannot claim a commission for services given while their FFC is expired. In most circumstances, this is a no-brainer: if an agent does not have an FFC, they cannot operate and cannot claim a fee; however, what if the estate agent's registration is out of current for no fault of their own? As with any registration process, application and renewal processing may be delayed (even if the agent submitted their renewal documentation and money on time). In this situation, the estate agent ma...