ESTATE AGENTS' TARIFF LISTS
PRESS RELEASE
The Italian Competition Authority notes that the major national associations of estate agents, subsequently to its request, have invited the local associations to eliminate their tariff lists, even if indicative, or, anyway, to adopt a conduct towards their associates in compliance with the Law no. 287/90.
The Authority was informed of the fact that certain provincial associations, which adhere to the Italian Federation of Intermediary Agents (FIMAA) and to the Italian Federation of Professional Estate Agents (FIAIP), apply tariff lists, or give their associates indications of uniforming the commission's level to be paid by clients.
During a meeting with the representatives from FIMAA and FIAIP, the Authority pointed out that the imposition, on behalf of the associations, on their members of contractual conditions - concerning both the tariff lists and the minimum guaranteed - can have anticompetitive effects.
In particular, on the one hand, the fixing of minimum tariffs, even if it would be meant to ensure quality performances, does not prevent from supplying lower quality services; on the other hand, it creates anticompetitive effects, by fostering a price alignment and, in this way, certainly taking disadvantages to consumers. As such, the parties have to fix the price of their services freely, so that clients can choose on the basis of the quality-price ratio.
Both FIMAA and FIAIP have accepted the Authority's indications and, to this end, have invited their associates to comply with them.