NMa: estate agents set to work on competition

The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) expects an increase in the level of competition among estate agents that are part of the Dutch Association of Estate Agents (NVM). The branch organisation and its members committed to drafting a compliance programme after intervention by the NMa. Such a programme aims to help prevent impediments to competition. This is a step in the right direction, states the NMa.

In short, a compliance programme comprises a set of measures and procedures that ensure compliance with the Competition Act. The programme provides for various kinds of educational activities on competition regulation, including short courses and workshops, geared to NVM estate agents and NVM departments. In doing so, the NVM addresses the issue of compliance with the Competition Act in a more explicit way. Ultimately, the issue at hand concerns the way in which estate agents in practice behave towards clients and each other. The NMa will continue closely to monitor the behaviour of NVM and its members, as well as check on progress made in the development and implementation of the compliance programme. The programme is not to be taken as a substitute for NMa enforcement activities.


The NVM decided on the abovementioned course of action after the NMa had embarked on an investigation into possibly anti-competitive behaviour among the NVM and its members. This followed a complaint submitted to the Authority by the Home Owners' Organisation [Vereniging Eigen Huis]. Partly on the basis of commitments made by the NVM, the NMa decided on dropping its investigation into the NVM and its members.