PROTECTING THE PUBLIC INTEREST
In Ontario, the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) is responsible for regulating trade in real estate in the public interest on behalf of the Ministry of Consumer Services. Protecting the public interest is achieved through:
- Enforcing the standards required to obtain and maintain registration as a brokerage, broker or salesperson and delivering the duties of the Registrar
- Establishing minimum requirements for pre-registration and continuing education
- Conducting routine inspections of brokerage offices to ensure compliance with REBBA 2002 and educate brokers
- Addressing inquiries, concerns and complaints about the conduct of registrants received from all sources and taking appropriate action to protect the public interest
- Establishing and administering insurance requirements, which include consumer deposit protection
- Promoting ongoing education and competent, knowledgeable and professional service
MAKE SURE YOUR BROKER OR SALESPERSON IS REGISTERED
Before you begin working with a real estate broker or salesperson, make sure you confirm that they are registered using the search feature. The information available includes the registration status, the current expiry date of registration, whether or not the individual has complied with insurance requirements, and regulatory activities related to the brokerage, broker or salesperson, such as:
- Registrar's Proposals to refuse, revoke, suspend or apply conditions to a registration
- Charges under REBBA 2002 and related convictions
- Immediate suspensions ordered by the Registrar
- Decisions of Discipline and Appeals Panels related to ethical conduct
