Australia’s top-selling real estate figure has been dealt a massive professional blow as Josh Tesolin, widely regarded as one of the country’s most successful property agents, has been suspended from trading for 120 days by NSW Fair Trading.

The suspension, which took effect on Friday, will run until 6 December 2025, according to official Service NSW records.

The decision comes amid serious allegations — reported by the Daily Mail — that Tesolin was involved in underquoting on more than 100 properties, dummy bidding, and producing false documents. These claims emerged from a months-long investigation that has rocked the Australian real estate industry.

A Sudden Fall From Grace

Just over a week before the suspension was handed down, Tesolin announced his split from Ray White, rebranding his Western Sydney agency to NGU Quakers Hill – The Tesolin Group. The rebrand was seen as a bold move to create an independent identity, but the timing now appears far from coincidental.

Tesolin, who has been awarded the RateMyAgent’s #1 Agent title five times, built a reputation for aggressive sales tactics and record-breaking deals. His name became synonymous with high-energy auctions and ambitious price targets.

However, the NSW Fair Trading investigation, launched earlier this year after multiple complaints from sellers and buyers, has put a dark cloud over his career.

The Allegations in Detail

According to reports, Tesolin allegedly underquoted on over 100 properties. Underquoting occurs when an agent advertises a property at a price significantly lower than what the vendor is willing to accept, luring more potential buyers into the bidding process.

In NSW, underquoting has been illegal since 1 January 2016 following reforms to the Property Stock and Business Agents Act (NSW) 2022. These laws were introduced to protect buyers and ensure transparency in the property market.

In addition to underquoting, Tesolin is accused of dummy bidding, where fake bids are placed at auctions to inflate property prices artificially. Producing false documents was another major concern raised by investigators, with allegations that misleading paperwork was used to influence sales.

Government’s Crackdown on Underquoting

Earlier this year, during a Parliamentary Committee meeting, Anoulack Chanthivong, the Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, confirmed that underquoting was a priority focus for the Strata and Property Services Taskforce.

Chanthivong revealed that 379 inspections into underquoting were conducted across NSW in the 2023–24 financial year, with 148 breaches identified. These breaches resulted in penalty infringement notices worth approximately $143,000.

The minister stressed that this crackdown aimed to lift the sector’s standards and restore trust in the real estate market.

Industry Shock and Public Reaction

The suspension has sent shockwaves through the Australian real estate community. Many industry insiders expressed surprise, given Tesolin’s track record of dominating sales charts.

Supporters argue that the allegations remain just that — allegations — until fully proven, and point out that aggressive sales tactics are not unusual in competitive markets like Sydney. Critics, however, view this as a wake-up call for the entire industry to clean up unethical practices.

Social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), have been flooded with mixed reactions — some defending Tesolin as a hard worker being unfairly targeted, while others believe this is an overdue act of justice.

What’s Next for Josh Tesolin?

While suspended, Tesolin will be legally barred from participating in any property transactions under NSW law. However, it remains unclear whether this ruling will impact his long-term career or if he will attempt a comeback once the ban is lifted in December.

For now, his agency NGU Quakers Hill – The Tesolin Group will continue to operate under other licensed agents, but without its most high-profile name leading deals, its market dominance could be at risk.

A Turning Point for NSW Real Estate

The case has placed NSW Fair Trading and the Australian real estate sector under intense public scrutiny. Observers note that the crackdown on underquoting, dummy bidding, and document fraud is part of a wider national effort to increase transparency in property sales.

For homebuyers and sellers, the outcome of this high-profile suspension may be a turning point in how agents conduct business, potentially leading to stricter compliance measures and heavier penalties for breaches.

for more news visit www.DailyGlobalDiary.com