And the Consumer Affairs Board is calling on Government to take steps to protect consumers against unscrupulous practices.

CAB chairman Mr. Robert Mello has hit out at the formation of realty companies representing both home buyers and sellers.

Mr. Mello said that the board was motivated to express its concern following the recent announcement of the formation of Bermuda Home.

While stressing that the new company in itself was not the issue, he said it highlighted the problem that consumers could not be fairly represented because there was an inherent conflict of interest.

Mr. Mello said: "The realty section of such companies represented the seller, while the mortgage/loan section represented the buyer.

"The company as a whole, therefore, would represent both buyer and seller and therein lies the conflict.'' He went on to say that the board had heard of cases where consumers were led to believe the approval of financing was dependent on their using the other services offered by the company.

"The board believes that consumers must be allowed to exercise their right to shop around for the services which best meet their needs.''