Agent said woman was framing him

The Harcourts Howick real estate agent whose sales licence was cancelled after he was found guilty of misconduct for forgery claimed another person had tried to frame him.

But the Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal did not believe Delawer Hoosain Kumandan, who appealed against the Real Estate Agents Authority's findings, and he is banned from selling property.

Complaints were made over a number of property transactions.

Evidence examined by the tribunal included a handwriting specialist and the directors of Harcourts Howick who it said were convinced he had forged documents. When questioned about it at the time, Kumandan had been crying, the tribunal heard.

Although he had initially denied the forgery, he later admitted it by nodding his head but blamed a woman for altering the documents, saying she was trying to frame him, according to evidence presented to the tribunal. But the tribunal said this month it was satisfied he was the culprit.

The first property deal involved the sale of 109 Wordsworth Rd and 149 Coxhead Rd in Manurewa and 49 Countryhaven Rd in Hawera. Kumandan suggested swapping these properties for 41 Maungarei Rd, Remuera and gave personal assurances about releasing a $50,000 deposit early. But the deals did not settle, Harcourts had to repay $12,000 and legal action is being taken to recover the outstanding $38,000.

The second deal involved the sale of 3207 Great North Rd, New Lynn which Kumandan later on-sold in a third deal. The tribunal found that documents were changed by Kumandan to make it appear as if a sale had settled and he got commissions for that deal.

Kumandan can lodge an appeal against the rulings of the tribunal with the High Court.