Real Estate Council of Ontario
Established in 1997, the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) is a not-for-profit corporation that regulates the trade of real estate in Ontario in the public interest. On behalf of the Ontario government, RECO administers and enforces the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002 (REBBA 2002) and its regulations.
As the regulator, RECO makes sure real estate professionals follow rules designed to uphold the integrity of the industry and protect consumers. In Ontario, any individual or business trading in real estate must be registered with RECO. As of December 31, 2014, there were more than 70,000 real estate registrants (salespersons, brokers and brokerages) in the province.
Mission
RECO’s Mission Statement is: “Excellence in the delivery of regulatory services that protect the public interest and enhance consumer confidence in the real estate profession.”
RECO’s Vision is: “Public trust and confidence in Ontario’s real estate profession.”
RECO aims to accomplish this by enforcing requirements for pre-registration and continuing education, enforcing standards required to obtain and maintain registration, addressing complaints about the conduct of real estate professionals and serving as an independent source of information for consumers about Ontario’s real estate industry.
Governance
RECO is governed by a 12-member Board of Directors composed of nine registered real estate professionals elected by their peers and three non-registrants appointed by the Minister of Consumer Services to represent consumers, business and government. Board members serve a three-year term. The Chair is Glenda Brindle. The Vice-Chair is Rebecca Ryder.
The day-to-day management of RECO is led by CEO Kate Murray.
The duties of enforcing REBBA 2002 are the responsibility of the Registrar, Joseph Richer.
Complaints
Anyone with concerns about the service provided by a real estate professional can submit a complaint to RECO. Complaint forms are available on RECO’s website (www.reco.on.ca). Once a complaint is received, RECO will conduct an investigation as required. The Registrar will determine an appropriate response.
RECO does not have authority to resolve financial or contractual disputes or provide any form of compensation to a complainant.
Registrant Search Feature
Only RECO provides information about every individual who is registered to trade in real estate in Ontario. The “Registrant Search” feature on RECO’s website is a tool that allows consumers to confirm whether they are dealing with someone who is legally registered to trade in real estate in Ontario and whether that person has been the subject of any discipline activity.
Resource
RECO reaches out to both consumers and real estate professionals by publishing newsletters, posting videos, attending trade shows as well as through social media (Twitter: @RECOhelps).
Registrar Joseph Richer answers common questions from home buyers and sellers in a weekly “Ask Joe” column appearing in the Saturday edition of the Toronto Star.
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