Scarborough real estate agent banned for life

A real estate sales representative who stole money from an agency’s trust account has been banned for life from holding a certificate of registration in the industry in Western Australia.

Kylie Marie Chiplin pleaded guilty and was convicted in April of stealing nearly $35,000 from the trust account of Peard Real Estate Scarborough between February 2016 and May 2018, while employed as a property manager.

In May 2018, Ms Chiplin was fined $3,000 and sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment, suspended for 24 months, by the Perth Magistrates Court.

Based on the criminal conviction, the State Administrative Tribunal ordered Ms Chiplin’s certificate of registration as a real estate sales representative to be cancelled and that she be permanently disqualified from being registered in the future.

Consumer Protection commissioner David Hillyard said the registration and licensing system regulating the real estate industry aimed to maintain high standards of conduct.

“Honesty and integrity are essential requirements for licence and registration holders in the industry and, when we receive evidence to the contrary, we will take action against those who breach their obligations,” he said.

“There is an obligation for all real estate industry participants to be aware of the codes of conduct and ensure they comply with their requirements.”