Making a Complaint

If you have been involved in a real estate transaction in which the real estate licensee or brokerage may have acted improperly, you may wish to contact the Real Estate Council with respect to filing a complaint.  It is important to note that the Real Estate Council is not empowered to resolve commission disputes, make monetary settlements or adjudicate contract matters. Please read our guidelines for filing a complaint below.  You may also want to familiarize yourself with the Complaint and Discipline Procedures (PDF) of the Real Estate Council.

Guidelines for filing a complaint:

Many times when a misunderstanding arises between a licensee and a consumer, it is due to a lack of communication between the parties. If this has happened to you, the following procedure is suggested to assist you in resolving your problem as quickly as possible.

First, go to the Real Estate Brokerage

1. Try to discuss the concern with the licensee directly in an attempt to clarify the matter.

2. Bring the matter to the attention of the managing broker.

Should the issue not be resolved to your satisfaction, then determine whether it is a matter for the Real Estate Board or the Real Estate Council of BC.

Real Estate Board	Real Estate Council of BC
Real Estate Boards deal with complaints that involve ethics, standards of business practice, and the Board’s bylaws.	The Council handles infractions of the Real Estate Services Act which includes both professional misconduct and conduct unbecoming.
Examples of areas Boards investigate: speaking badly of other licensees in an attempt to gain business lack of cooperation between board members licensee entering a home without first making an appointment (if it was required) violations of Board mandated codes of ethics and standards of business practice	Examples of matters that the Real Estate Council will investigate: mishandling of deposits concealing property defects misrepresentation unauthorized signing of documents unwritten guarantees to resell a property used as an inducement to do business unlicensed person acting as a real estate licensee secret commissions professional misconduct including incompetence and conduct unbecoming of a licensee
Real Estate Boards are not involved in the awarding of monetary damages.  They can impose fines, membership suspensions or require a member to attend specified courses.	The Real Estate Council is not empowered to award or mediate monetary damages. Such matters are more properly dealt with through civil action. The Council can impose administrative penalties, order reprimands, fines suspend or cancel a licence as well as impose hearing costs.
If your concern appears to be a matter for your Real Estate Board, contact the Board for information on how to proceed.	If your concern appears to be a matter for the Real Estate Council, then... Complete the Complaint Form (PDF) Attach all documentation as specified. Send to the Real Estate Council.