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Complaints Process

There may be an instance when you feel that you have been misrepresented and want to make a complaint. If you are in such a situation, we advise you to take the following steps:
  1. Most problems occur because of miscommunication. Talk with your REALTOR® to clarify your concern.
  2. If that doesn’t work, take your concern to the managing broker of your REALTOR’s® office.
  3. If you want to take the matter further, you’ll need to decide whether it’s a matter for your REALTOR’s® real estate board or for the BC Financial Services Authority (the regulatory body responsible for administering the Real Estate Services act)

Real Estate Board
BC Financial Services Authority
Real Estate Boards deal with complaints that involve their code of ethics, standards of business practice, and the Boards bylaws.

Examples of matters that boards investigate:
  • Unethical behaviour
  • Not treating all parties to a contract fairly
Click here for a link to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practice.

The Real Estate Board is not empowered to award or mediate monetary damages. Such matters are more properly dealt with through civil action. The Board can issue letters of warning, reprimands, suspend or cancel services or membership as well as assess fines, hearing costs or continuing education.

If your concern appears to be a matter for the Real Estate Board, please complete and submit the Complaint Form to:

Vancouver Island Real Estate Board
6374 Metral Dr.
Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8

Phone: 250-390-4212
Fax: 250-390-5014
Email: info@vireb.com

The BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) handles infractions of the Real Estate Act and its related rules and regulations.

Examples of matters that BCFSA 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
  • secret commissions
  • professional misconduct including incompetence and conduct unbecoming of a licensee

BCFSA is not empowered to award or mediate monetary damages. Such matters are more properly dealt with through civil action. BCFSA can issue letters of warning, reprimands, suspend or cancel any license as well as assess hearing costs. If your concern appears to be a matter for the BC Financial Services Authority:

Mailing Address:
BC Financial Services Authority
600 - 750 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 2T8

Contact:
Tel: 604.660.3555
Toll Free: 1.866.206.3030
Fax: 604.660.3365
When an issue involves an unlicensed person acting as a real estate professional contact the Financial Institutions Commission (FICOM) by clicking this link