This will allow citizens to check the real prices of apartments in the districts of Chisinau and all over the country, as well as to see the amount of commissions charged by agents.
According to the chairman of the parliamentary commission for economy, budget and finance, Radu Marian, these measures are necessary to increase the transparency of the real estate market. The data will be anonymized – without names and specific tenants.
“We aim to have a public register of housing prices within a year to a year and a half, so that it will be easier for people to compare offers and there will be no situations when a client has no information about commissions or real offers in his neighborhood. We need more transparency, as well as a procedure for certification of real estate agents to reduce the risk of possible abuse,” the MP said on air on 1TV.
He explained that often on classifieds websites the price is not fully or non-transparently indicated. The state register of prices will be coordinated by the state, and agents will be obliged to enter certain data to ensure transparency. The information will become more real and up-to-date.
“Yes, there are ad aggregators, but not always the data there is complete or corresponds to reality: one price is indicated, but on the phone they call another. In the registry, prices will be real – it will be possible to compare. The more transparent the market is, the better it is for competition and the lower the risk of abuse and inflated prices,” said Radu Marian.
He said that the law, which provides for the creation of a register of prices and a register of agents, is planned to be adopted in the second, final reading in the upcoming spring session of Parliament. At the same time, the work on the price register has already started:
“Of course, this does not mean that this law will solve all problems, but it will add transparency to everything related to housing and the real estate market. This is also a solution.”
Besides transparency, the commission sees it important to stimulate the construction of new housing around Chisinau.
“We have state lands. They should be effectively used for the construction of businesses and housing around Chisinau, I emphasize – around Chisinau, so that speculation does not start. This is the first step – more construction, increase in supply and, as a consequence, adjustment of prices by increasing supply,” Radu Marian said. He added that the process of developing state lands is being simplified and the state is actively involved in stimulating construction.
At the same time, the MP emphasized that state intervention in direct regulation of prices is impossible – it may lead to a reduction in supply and other negative consequences. The main measures should be aimed at increasing supply and improving market transparency.
