NMa Warns Real-Estate Agents' Association LMV
The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa)has decided to issue a warning to Landelijke Makelaarsvereniging LMV [Netherlands Association of Real Estate Agents] in relation to the use in the past of recommended tariffs for affiliated members. This involved LMV's advising its members on the level of surveying tariffs. It appears from an investigation carried out by NMa that LMV earlier ceased issuing recommended tariffs. LMV is a relatively small player next to the larger associations of real estate agents, NVM and VBO. NMa will cease this investigation, but will continue to monitor developments on this market critically.
The reason for this investigation was a complaint by a real estate agent about the pricing policy of LMV. NMa found evidence that LMV had issued recommended tariffs to its members in the past, but that it ceased doing so in any event in 2002.
NMa may impose fines for infringements of the Competition Act. In this case, NMa will not do so. The fact, for instance, that LMV ceased the infringement of its own accord before NMa commenced its investigation played a role in this. LMV has a modest market share on this market.
At NMa's request, in a letter LMV unambiguously drew its membersÂ’ attention to the fact that the use of recommended tariffs is prohibited under the Competition Act.