REAL ESTATE COUNCIL OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
In the matter of the Real Estate Services Act
S.B.C. 2004 ch. 42
AND in the matter of a Consent Order pursuant to Section 41 of the Real Estate Services Act
Respondent: ROBERT JAMES HARRINGTON
PRICE SMART REALTY
File: 09-230
Date of Consent Order: December 8, 2010
Issue: Robert James Harrington, managing broker, Harrington Homes Realty Incorporated dba Price Smart Realty, Langley, entered into a Consent Order with the Council in which he consented to an Order that he committed professional misconduct within the meaning of section 35(1)(a) of the Real Estate Services Act in that he committed professional misconduct within the meaning of: (a) section 35(1)(d) of the Real Estate Services Act in that he permitted the brokerage to provide real estate services through an unlicensed assistant “Rebecca ” on “Rebecca ’s Price Smart Realty Page is on Facebook ”; (b) section 35(1)(a) of the Real Estate Services Act in that he: (i) contravened section 3-1(b) of the Council Rules in that he failed to ensure that the business of the brokerage was carried out competently and in accordance with the Act, Regulation, rules and bylaws; (ii) contravened sections 3-4 and 4-7 of the Council Rules in that he advised sellers in advertisements that they could instantly cancel their listing and delete their agent by completing the form provided which was a cancellation form with the indication “no restrictions ”, which he knew or ought to have known was false or misleading; (iii) contravened section 4-7 of the Council Rules by advertising false and/or misleading information in that the website indicated that the seller ’s name and number would be placed on a for sale sign with the brokerage ’s name, which could lead members of the public to believe that these individuals were licensed with the brokerage; and (iv) contravened section 3-4 of the Council Rules by advising the public in his advertising to make multiple offers on several homes at once and see who would meet their price.
Issue: Harrington Homes Realty Incorporated dba Price Smart Realty, Langley, entered into a Consent Order with the Council in which it consented to an Order that it committed professional misconduct within the meaning of section 35(1)(a) of the Real Estate Services Act by contravening section 7(5)(a) of the Real Estate Services Act in that it provided real estate services through an unlicensed assistant “Rebecca ” on “Rebecca ’s Price Smart Realty Page is on Facebook ”.
Result: Robert James Harrington was suspended for fourteen (14) days from January 26, 2011 to February 8, 2011 (inclusive) and was ordered to successfully complete the Trading Services Remedial Education Course.
Result: Price Smart Realty was reprimanded and ordered to pay a discipline penalty to the Council in the amount of $2,000.00.
Result: Robert James Harrington and Price Smart Realty were jointly and severally liable to pay enforcement expenses to the Council in the amount of $1,000.00.
P: Jan 6, 2011 R: Jan 6, 2016