Agent Directory & Verification Disclaimer

1. About the ERCAAN Agent Directory

The ERCAAN Agent Directory is provided to help members of the public identify estate, rent, and commission agents who are recorded as members of the Estate, Rent & Commission Agents Association of Nigeria (ERCAAN).

The directory is intended to support greater transparency and public access to information about ERCAAN members.

Information displayed in the directory may include a member’s name, business or professional details, membership information, location, contact details, profile photograph, or other information that ERCAAN has authorised for publication.

2. What ERCAAN Membership Means

An individual or organisation appearing in the ERCAAN Agent Directory is represented as a member of ERCAAN based on the Association’s membership records at the relevant time.

Membership indicates that the person or organisation has been admitted into the Association under its applicable membership requirements.

Membership should not, however, be interpreted as:

• A guarantee of the person’s honesty in every transaction
• A guarantee of the quality or outcome of a particular transaction
• A guarantee that every property presented by the member is genuine or suitable
• A guarantee of ownership or title to a property
• A guarantee that a property is free from disputes, encumbrances, claims, or competing interests
• A guarantee that a member will successfully complete a transaction
• Legal, financial, valuation, surveying, or other professional advice
• A substitute for independent due diligence

3. Directory Information

ERCAAN seeks to maintain accurate membership information, but information contained in the directory may change over time.

A member’s:

• Name
• Telephone number
• Office address
• Business name
• Professional information
• Membership status
• Chapter or location
• Other published information

may change after the information was originally submitted or verified.

Where appropriate, ERCAAN may update, correct, suspend, restrict, or remove directory information.

4. Membership Status

Where the website provides a membership status, verification indicator, membership number, certificate information, or other verification information, users should understand that the information relates to the member’s status within ERCAAN.

A verification result does not by itself verify:

• Ownership of a property
• Authenticity of a property title
• Authority to sell or let a property
• Identity of a property owner
• Accuracy of a property valuation
• Financial standing of a member
• Solvency of a business
• Legitimacy of every transaction conducted by the member
• Absence of complaints or disputes
• Absence of criminal or civil proceedings
• The commercial performance of the member

Users should conduct appropriate independent checks before entering into a property transaction.

5. Verifying an ERCAAN Member

Where ERCAAN provides an online or offline membership verification facility, members of the public may use the official ERCAAN verification process to confirm whether a person is recorded as an ERCAAN member.

Users should rely on ERCAAN’s official website and official communication channels when seeking membership verification.

A person should not be treated as an ERCAAN member solely because they:

• Display an ERCAAN logo
• Present a photograph of an ERCAAN certificate
• Display an identification card
• Use ERCAAN branding on social media
• Include “ERCAAN” in a business name
• Claim verbally or electronically to be an ERCAAN member

Where there is uncertainty about a person’s membership status, users should contact ERCAAN through its official channels.

6. Fraudulent or Misleading Claims of Membership

The unauthorised use of ERCAAN’s name, logo, membership certificate, identification card, seal, or other Association identity may be reported to ERCAAN.

Where ERCAAN becomes aware of a person falsely claiming membership or improperly using the Association’s identity, it may take appropriate action within its authority and may refer the matter to another competent authority where appropriate.

7. Property Listings Are Separate From Membership Verification

An ERCAAN member may advertise or facilitate property transactions independently of the Association.

The appearance of an agent in the ERCAAN directory does not mean that every property advertised, marketed, introduced, or handled by that member has been inspected, approved, endorsed, or independently verified by ERCAAN.

Unless a particular property is expressly identified as an ERCAAN-administered or ERCAAN-verified property service, users should not interpret the directory as a property verification system.

8. Independent Property Due Diligence

Before paying money or entering into a property transaction, users should conduct appropriate due diligence.

Depending on the transaction, this may include:

• Confirming the identity of the person presenting the property
• Confirming the person’s authority to act for the property owner
• Inspecting the property where appropriate
• Requesting relevant ownership and title documentation
• Confirming relevant property information independently
• Engaging an appropriate legal professional where necessary
• Confirming applicable government or regulatory records where appropriate
• Obtaining written agreements
• Requesting official receipts for payments
• Keeping copies of relevant communications and documents

For significant property transactions, users should consider obtaining independent legal and professional advice.

9. Payments to Agents

ERCAAN does not guarantee payments made to an agent or practitioner listed in the directory.

Before making any payment, users should understand:

• What the payment is for
• Who is receiving the payment
• Whether the person is authorised to receive it
• The applicable commission, fee, rent, deposit, or other charge
• The terms under which the payment may be refundable or non-refundable
• The documentation supporting the transaction

Users should retain appropriate evidence of payments and agreements.

10. Complaints Against Listed Members

If a member listed in the ERCAAN directory is alleged to have breached the Association’s professional standards or membership obligations, a complaint may be submitted to ERCAAN through its applicable complaints process.

The existence of a complaint does not establish that misconduct has occurred.

Complaints will be handled in accordance with the ERCAAN Constitution, Professional Code of Conduct & Ethics, Complaints & Disciplinary Procedure, and other applicable Association rules.

Where appropriate, ERCAAN may take action concerning a member’s membership status or professional conduct within the authority granted to the Association.

11. Suspension or Removal From the Directory

ERCAAN may suspend, restrict, amend, or remove a member’s directory profile where:

• Membership has expired or otherwise ceased
• Membership has been suspended
• Membership has been terminated
• Information is found to be inaccurate
• The member requests an appropriate change
• The Association determines that publication is no longer appropriate
• Required membership information has not been provided or maintained
• Action is required under the ERCAAN Constitution or applicable rules

The removal or temporary absence of a profile does not by itself establish misconduct.

Similarly, the continued appearance of a profile should not be interpreted as a guarantee of the member’s current activities or transactions.

12. Directory Accuracy

ERCAAN makes reasonable efforts to maintain the accuracy of information under its control.

However, ERCAAN does not warrant that every directory entry will always be:

• Complete
• Current
• Error-free
• Available
• Suitable for a particular purpose

Members are responsible for providing accurate information to the Association and notifying ERCAAN of relevant changes in accordance with applicable membership requirements.

13. Third-Party Information

Some information appearing in an agent profile may have been supplied by the member or another authorised source.

ERCAAN may rely on information provided to it for the purpose of maintaining membership and directory records.

Where information is supplied by a member, the member remains responsible for ensuring that the information submitted is accurate and does not unlawfully infringe the rights of another person.

14. No Endorsement of Individual Transactions

The publication of a member’s profile does not constitute an endorsement by ERCAAN of:

• A specific property
• A particular landlord or property owner
• A tenant
• A buyer
• A seller
• A developer
• A transaction
• A price
• A rental amount
• A commission
• A business arrangement
• A financial arrangement

Users remain responsible for conducting their own assessment before entering into any transaction.

15. Use of Directory Information

Information displayed in the ERCAAN Agent Directory is provided for legitimate identification, professional, and public-information purposes.

Users must not use directory information for:

• Harassment
• Threats
• Fraud
• Identity theft
• Unauthorised marketing
• Unlawful solicitation
• Scraping or automated collection where prohibited
• Impersonation
• Unauthorised commercial databases
• Any unlawful or abusive purpose

ERCAAN may take appropriate action where directory information is misused.

16. Privacy and Public Information

Some information concerning ERCAAN members may be made publicly available as part of the Association’s professional directory and membership administration functions.

ERCAAN will handle personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy and applicable data protection requirements.

Members should understand that information intentionally published as part of an official professional directory may be accessible to members of the public.

17. Reporting Incorrect Information

If you believe that information displayed in an ERCAAN member profile is inaccurate, misleading, outdated, or improperly published, you may contact ERCAAN through its official communication channels.

Where appropriate, ERCAAN may request supporting information before making a correction.

18. Reporting Suspected Fraud

Where a person appears to be falsely claiming ERCAAN membership, misusing ERCAAN credentials, or using the Association’s identity in connection with a potentially fraudulent transaction, the matter may be reported to ERCAAN.

Where the matter may involve criminal conduct, fraud, forgery, financial crime, or another offence, ERCAAN may also recommend or make a referral to the appropriate authority where legally and practically appropriate.

Members of the public should not delay contacting the appropriate law-enforcement or regulatory authority where they believe immediate intervention is necessary.

19. Limitation of Responsibility

To the extent permitted by applicable law, ERCAAN is not responsible for losses arising solely from a user’s decision to enter into a transaction with an agent listed in the directory.

This includes losses arising from:

• Property transactions
• Rental arrangements
• Deposits
• Commissions
• Investments
• Business arrangements
• Agreements between users and individual practitioners

Nothing in this disclaimer removes any responsibility that ERCAAN may have under applicable law.

20. No Substitute for Professional Advice

Information provided through the ERCAAN directory and website is not intended to replace independent professional advice.

Depending on the nature and value of a transaction, users may need advice from appropriately qualified:

• Legal professionals
• Surveyors
• Valuers
• Property professionals
• Financial advisers
• Tax professionals
• Other relevant specialists

21. Changes to Directory Information

ERCAAN may modify the structure, content, verification method, or operation of the Agent Directory from time to time.

Changes may be made to improve:

• Accuracy
• Security
• Member administration
• Public access
• Verification
• Data protection
• Association governance

The latest version of this disclaimer published on the ERCAAN website will apply from its stated effective date.

22. Contact ERCAAN

For membership verification, directory corrections, suspected misuse of ERCAAN identity, or other concerns relating to the ERCAAN Agent Directory, contact the Association through its official channels.

Email: info@ercaannational.org.ng
Alternative Email: ercaannational@gmail.com
Telephone: +234 805 603 0177 / +234 815 393 3991
Secretariat: Swan Building, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria

When requesting verification or reporting an issue, provide sufficient information to enable ERCAAN to identify the relevant member or matter.

ERCAAN’s directory exists to improve professional visibility and public access to membership information. It should be used as one part of a broader due-diligence process, not as a substitute for independent verification before a property transaction.