The Real Estate Agents Law: What Changes for the Real Estate Market
By Vladislav Mocanu
CEO, Managing Partner
16.06.2026
The Moldovan real estate market is entering a more regulated stage. Law No. 40 of 26 March 2026 on the activity of real estate agents was published in the Official Gazette on 23 April 2026. According to public information, the law is expected to enter into force nine months after publication, while agents already active on the market benefit from a transition period for compliance.
This clarification matters: not all obligations apply immediately upon publication. However, the direction is clear — real estate intermediation will be subject to more precise rules.
This clarification matters: not all obligations apply immediately upon publication. However, the direction is clear — real estate intermediation will be subject to more precise rules.
Why regulation was needed
For a long time, the market operated without uniform standards for access to the profession, contracting of services, professional responsibility and transparency in the relationship with the client. In practice, this created situations where buyers, sellers or tenants did not know exactly to whom they were paying a commission, what services they were receiving and who was responsible for the information provided.
Relevant changes
The new law aims to professionalise the activity of real estate agents and agencies. Key elements include requirements on professional qualification, contracts for intermediation services, registration of agents, rights and obligations of the parties, transparency of commissions and liability for non-compliance.
What this means for clients
For clients, a more regulated market may mean more transparent services and clearer responsibility of intermediaries. However, a real estate agent does not replace a lawyer and does not replace independent legal review. The agent’s role is commercial and intermediary; the lawyer’s role is risk analysis and contractual protection.
Why legal review remains necessary
Even in a regulated market, properties may still have ownership issues, mortgages, restrictions, disputes, unauthorised changes or debts. The law may raise professional standards, but it does not remove the need for an individual analysis of each transaction.
Conclusion
Regulating the activity of real estate agents is an important step towards a more mature market. For buyers and investors, however, transaction safety continues to depend on document checks, contractual clauses and a proper understanding of risks.
Mocanu Legal assists clients in real estate transactions, legal checks and negotiation of documents, including in relations with agents, sellers, developers and financiers.
For a long time, the market operated without uniform standards for access to the profession, contracting of services, professional responsibility and transparency in the relationship with the client. In practice, this created situations where buyers, sellers or tenants did not know exactly to whom they were paying a commission, what services they were receiving and who was responsible for the information provided.
Relevant changes
The new law aims to professionalise the activity of real estate agents and agencies. Key elements include requirements on professional qualification, contracts for intermediation services, registration of agents, rights and obligations of the parties, transparency of commissions and liability for non-compliance.
What this means for clients
For clients, a more regulated market may mean more transparent services and clearer responsibility of intermediaries. However, a real estate agent does not replace a lawyer and does not replace independent legal review. The agent’s role is commercial and intermediary; the lawyer’s role is risk analysis and contractual protection.
Why legal review remains necessary
Even in a regulated market, properties may still have ownership issues, mortgages, restrictions, disputes, unauthorised changes or debts. The law may raise professional standards, but it does not remove the need for an individual analysis of each transaction.
Conclusion
Regulating the activity of real estate agents is an important step towards a more mature market. For buyers and investors, however, transaction safety continues to depend on document checks, contractual clauses and a proper understanding of risks.
Mocanu Legal assists clients in real estate transactions, legal checks and negotiation of documents, including in relations with agents, sellers, developers and financiers.
