by Dennis Wilson, Manager, Professional Standards
“Your job is not to buy or sell real estate but rather to act for and provide service to a client who is buying or selling real estate.”
We are all aware of the recent report released by the Independent Advisory Group (IAG) and the provincial government’s response. All 28 of the recommendations are significant and will have multiple effects on our Brokers and REALTORS®.
Having said that, in the meantime it is essential you carry on with your duties and responsibilities as you always have, maintaining the professional standards that you are committed to and that are expected of you by the public and your peers. At this moment I am urging all of us to take this opportunity to review your duties to a client or a customer (a non-client) as a professional REALTOR® while we wait for the details on the changes.
As far as the duties you have towards your client, see Council’s Rules 3-3. You can find the duties on Council’s website or in the Professional Standards Manual.
The REALTOR Code® and Standards of Business Practices, Article 3 on your primary duty to your client is also available on-line. You can find the document posted on my Professional Standards Resources page on REALTOR Link®.
Now I won’t list all the details here but above all, “A REALTOR® shall protect and promote the interests of his or her client. This primary obligation does not relieve the REALTOR® of the responsibility of dealing fairly with all parties to the transaction.” I encourage you to review each duty individually. After all, every REALTOR® owes it to their clients to know and to communicate these duties.
What if I or a Client notices another REALTOR® not fulfilling their duties? How can we make a complaint?
Nothing has changed when it comes to complaint procedures – Council enforces the requirements of the Real Estate Services Act and the Council Rules, the Board enforces the REALTOR® Code and Standards of Business Practice plus all Board rules. We’ll continue to deal with complaints as they come in. You and members of the public can file a complaint online on the Board’s public site under Consumer Info > How to handle REALTOR issues > Complaint Form.
As a member, you have two additional options:
- Log into REALTOR Link® and go to Professionalism > Business Practices/Complaints and Discipline > FVREB Complaint Form.
- You can go to WEBForms® and find the FVREB Complaint Form within the Service/Administration category.
If you have a question about a complaint, click here. Send us the complaint and we’ll review it, deal with it or forward it on to Council.
As mentioned, there are a number of changes coming to the profession. Down the line it will be very important for all members to be in tune with the latest changes. We will communicate and publish the information as soon as we can, but remember: if you don’t read what we share, you’re not benefiting from the help we offer.
It is my hope that the changes to come will result in a more respected and recognized profession, adding value and respect for what you do. In the meantime, continue to always act in the best interests of your clients and remember, your job is not to buy or sell real estate but rather to act for and provide service to a client who is buying or selling real estate. It’s what you do.