Mistakes, Disputes and Official Sources
How to complain about a realtor in Canada: regulators by province and what they can do
Who regulates real estate agents in each province, how to file a complaint, what regulators can and cannot do about commission disputes, and when to go to court instead.
Real estate agents and brokerages in Canada are licensed and disciplined by a regulator in each province: RECO in Ontario, BCFSA in British Columbia, OACIQ in Quebec, RECA in Alberta, and commissions or agencies in the other provinces. If you think an agent breached the rules (misleading you, failing to disclose a conflict, mishandling a deposit, pressuring you to sign), contact the brokerage first, then file a complaint with the regulator. Regulators can discipline, fine and suspend licensees and, in some provinces, run compensation funds for lost deposits, but they generally do not decide commission disputes or award damages; that is for small claims court or a civil court.
This guide is part of Mistakes, Disputes and Official Sources. For contract problems, see listing agreement traps.
Regulators by province
| Province or territory | Regulator | Main statute |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) | Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002 (TRESA) |
| British Columbia | BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) | Real Estate Services Act |
| Quebec | Organisme d'autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec (OACIQ) | Real Estate Brokerage Act |
| Alberta | Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) | Real Estate Act |
| Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan Real Estate Commission (SREC) | The Real Estate Brokerage Act |
| Manitoba | Manitoba Financial Services Agency, real estate division | The Real Estate Services Act |
| Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Real Estate Commission | Real Estate Trading Act |
| New Brunswick | Financial and Consumer Services Commission (FCNB) | Real Estate Agents Act |
| Prince Edward Island | Provincial government real estate licensing office | Real Estate Trading Act |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Digital Government and Service NL, consumer affairs | Real Estate Trading Act |
| Territories | Territorial consumer services or licensing offices | Territorial legislation |
Lawyers are regulated by the provincial law society (for example the Law Society of Ontario), Quebec notaries by the Chambre des notaires du Québec, and BC notaries by the Society of Notaries Public of BC. Complaints about a lawyer or notary go there.
What a regulator can and cannot do
| Can usually do | Usually cannot do |
|---|---|
| Investigate breaches of the code of conduct or statute | Order the brokerage to refund commission or pay damages |
| Discipline, fine, suspend or revoke a licence | Cancel your listing agreement |
| Prosecute unlicensed trading | Decide a contract dispute between you and the brokerage |
| Operate a deposit or consumer compensation fund in some provinces | Compensate losses beyond the fund's rules |
| Publish discipline decisions | Give you legal advice |
If your issue is mainly about money (a commission you think is not owed, a holdover claim), you will likely need small claims court or a civil action. Small claims limits vary by province; check your provincial court website. In Quebec, OACIQ has a public assistance service and the OACIQ indemnity fund can compensate victims of fraud or misappropriation of funds by a broker.
How to complain, step by step
- Write down the facts: dates, what was said, documents signed, money paid.
- Raise it with the brokerage: the broker of record or manager is responsible for supervising agents.
- Check the licence: search the regulator's public register for the agent and brokerage.
- File a complaint with the regulator: most accept online complaints with supporting documents.
- Keep deadlines in mind: limitation periods for civil claims, often two years in common-law provinces, keep running while a regulator investigates.
- Get legal advice if money is at stake.
Common complaint topics
- Agent did not explain representation or the information guide (Ontario TRESA) or disclosure forms (BC).
- Pressure to waive conditions or sign quickly.
- Misrepresenting property features or the existence of other offers.
- Undisclosed relationship with the buyer or a referral fee.
- Mishandling of the deposit held in trust.
- Advertising with misleading claims, including about "free" buyer services or guaranteed sales.
Competition issues
Complaints about competition, for example rules that may restrict lower-cost services, go to the Competition Bureau, not to provincial regulators. The Bureau has examined real estate rules several times, most recently in an investigation of CREA's commission and cooperation policies opened in 2024. See Competition Bureau, CREA and commission rules.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get my commission back by complaining to RECO?
Generally no. RECO can discipline the registrant, but recovering money requires a court claim or a negotiated settlement with the brokerage.
My agent is a REALTOR. Does CREA handle complaints?
REALTOR is a trademark for CREA members, who are bound by the REALTOR Code. Local boards and associations handle some member complaints, but the provincial regulator handles licensing and discipline.
Who do I complain to about a home inspector?
Inspector licensing varies: BC and Alberta license home inspectors; in Ontario, rules for home inspectors under provincial legislation have been enacted but check whether licensing is in force. Otherwise, contact the inspector's professional association and consider small claims.
Can I complain about a buyer's agent if I am the seller?
Yes. Licensees owe certain duties to everyone in a transaction, such as honesty, even when they do not represent you.
Sources
- Real Estate Council of Ontario — complaints and registrant search
- BC Financial Services Authority — complaints and licensee search
- OACIQ — public assistance and broker register
- Real Estate Council of Alberta — complaints
- Saskatchewan Real Estate Commission — complaints
- Competition Bureau Canada — competition complaints
