Starting October, Check This Before Buying a House – Beware of Losing Your Down Payment to Theft
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The property brokerage industry is preparing to face new regulations regarding the certification requirement for marketing personnel and property agents. The government’s socialization period is said to last only a few months before enforcement actions are taken.
“I also want to convey that currently, use certified agents. Because after October, this is the socialization period until October,” said the General Chairman of the Indonesian Real Estate Broker Association (AREBI), Clement Francis, to CNBC Indonesia on Wednesday (13/5/2026).
The regulation is Ministry of Trade Regulation (Permendag) No 3/2025 Concerning Business Activity Standards and/or Product/Service Standards in the Implementation of Risk-Based Business Licensing in the Trade and Legal Metrology Sector. This regulation mandates that all brokers and property agents in Indonesia must have official certification from accredited institutions starting 5 October.
Clement assesses that the government has provided sufficient time for agents to adapt. After the socialization period ends, supervision will be tightened to make property brokerage practices more orderly.
“So certainly, every marketing personnel must have certification and must take a competency test. Because after October, the government will definitely follow up with enforcement,” he said.
Moreover, the large value of property transactions means that the public needs to be more cautious when choosing agents or brokers. The risk of fraud to the loss of down payments is still possible if consumers use the services of unofficial brokers.
“If, for example, anyone can sell, suddenly the down payment money disappears, taken away like this with the current conditions? So before transacting, ask if you already have certification or not. Why? This is also for their safety,” he said.
He explained that property broker certifications are issued directly by the National Professional Certification Agency (BNSP), so their status can be verified and supervised by the state.
“Because our certification is issued by BNSP. If anything happens, it can be revoked and checked. And everything is registered,” said Clement.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the AREBI Banten Province Representative Council, Vemby, views this government step as aimed at tidying up the property transaction chain, from agents, developers to notaries. The new regulation also aims to suppress traditional brokerage practices that have operated without clear competency standards.
“Traditional brokers will gradually be tightened. So not just helping to sell without rules,” said Vemby to CNBC Indonesia, quoted on Wednesday (13/5/2026).
Consumer protection is becoming increasingly important because the value of house transactions now can reach billions of rupiah. Therefore, property agents must have clear legality and responsibility.
“Property values are getting bigger now. The government wants to prevent fraud or money being taken away,” he said.
The supervision is also directed at preventing land mafia practices that have emerged several times in various regions, including the appearance of duplicate certificates.
“The more severe one is the land mafia. This is what is to be prevented with a tighter system,” said Vemby.