Striving for Excellence in Real Estate Practice
In recent weeks, the provincial government has taken two key steps to help ensure consumer protection and a high-level of professionalism by REALTORS®.
- In February, following media reports of alleged unethical conduct by a few licensees, the Real Estate Council of BC created the Independent Advisory Group. Chaired by Superintendent of Real Estate Carolyn Rogers, the IAG is examining the current real estate regulatory regime to determine whether it adequately protects the public interest from real estate licensee conduct that is inconsistent with the duties and standards required of licensees. More information: www.advisorygroupbc.ca. BCREA's recommendations to the IAG are available at www.bcrea.bc.ca/docs/news-2016/2016-04-12-iag-bcrea-recommendations.pdf.
- On March 18, Premier Christy Clark announced her intention to regulate the practice of assigning real estate contracts. Assignments are when someone who has entered into a contract wants to assign their rights in that contract to someone else, for a variety of reasons such as an unexpected move or major life change. Read the Premier's news release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016PREM0025-000427.
The BC Real Estate Association (BCREA) supports both of these measures. While most of the 20,000 Realtors in the province comply with their legal and ethical obligations, the Association encourages anyone who sees wrongdoing to report it. Information about making complaints is available on the website of the Real Estate Council of BC (www.recbc.ca).