The new four rulebooks on real estate transactions which will finally bring order into that area, and whose content has been published on the website of the Ministry, will come into force today.

The rulebook on keeping records of mediation in trade and lease of real estate provides that each mediator must keep a permanent written record, while the mediation contract with and accompanying documentation must be kept for at least 10 years after its conclusion.

The records shall contain the name of the municipality where the property is located, the address of the property (city, street address, cadastral parcel and cadastral municipality), information on the type of property whose trade or lease is the subject of mediation, data on the surface area of the property, as well as information on whether the legal work that is the subject of the mediation is concluded or not, and if so, the exact date of conclusion.

Also, the records will have to contain data about the purchase price, or rent, as well as the invoiced amount of brokerage fees.

When making the records, the mediator will have to enter information about the type of property – agricultural land, construction land, office space, shop, warehouse, industrial building, apartment, house, garage, etc.

The rulebook on office space shall prescribe the minimum technical requirements for performing this activity. The real estate agent can perform his job from an apartment, if he has a separate entrance and bathroom, but only if it is not used for housing. As for equipment, he must have a fixed and mobile telephone, Internet access and an electronic reader of biometric ID cards, a computer and a printer.

The rulebook on professional examination for mediators in real estate trade and lease prescribes the examination program – both oral and written exam – and a tax of 14,000 RSD.

The written part of the exam lasts up to three hours and the candidate must answer questions from the areas of law related to the trade and lease of real estate, segments of the financial and tax rules, management and the basis of spatial planning and construction.

The test can be organized in an electronic form with automatic determination of the accuracy of answers. The candidate passes the test if he gives the correct answer to at least 60 percent of the total number of questions.

The oral part of the professional exam lasts up to 30 minutes, and candidates who fail the exam may apply to take it again in the next examination period.

The rulebook on the register of mediators in trade and leasing of real estate foresees the register as a central electronic single public database, which every citizen will be able to access and make sure that their business meets the legally required conditions.

The register will contain all the information about the mediator, including his address, ID number, phone number, data on employed persons, as well as protective measures.

The applicant will need to have previously passed the professional exam and will have to submit a contract of insurance against damage and a power of attorney, if necessary.