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Budding actors hoping to score a role as a member of a "perfect" family might be out of luck.
An Auckland barrister has said it is illegal for New Zealand real estate agents to employ actors to pose as model families in open homes.
John Waymouth, who represents agencies in litigation, said the practice being used in the United States and Australia would be a breach of at least one law here.
He was responding to comments by Catriona MacLennan, an Auckland barrister and journalist, who said the concept could come here soon. A firm marketing a new Californian housing development used a model family, including a Baywatch actor, to tempt buyers.
But Waymouth said this would break the law here.
"The suggestion is simply real estate agent bashing and nonsense as New Zealand's existing consumer laws contain more than adequate protections to ensure this would never occur.
"The provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1986 would make it simply impossible for real estate agents or salespersons to place actors in open homes to trick the prospective purchasers," he said.
"The use of furniture to enhance a house has been used from time to time, especially in selling sample apartments, and ... that is certainly not contrary to the provisions of the act unless the agent or developer somehow represents that the furniture comes with the property," he said.
