By ThinkPol Staff

In response to a social media account naming and shaming realtors who appear to breaching industry regulations, the Vancouver real estate board is encouraging the public to report them to appropriate authorities.

Inspired by Vancouver’s Airbnb-fighting Twitter user VISTRO , BrettdrC has been outing realtors who are running Airbnb hotels in Vancouver in breach of City of Vancouver bylaws.

“If someone has evidence of an individual violating a city bylaw, we’d strongly encourage them to report the incident to the appropriate municipality so the allegation can be properly investigated,” Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) Communications Manager Craig Munn told ThinkPol.

BrettdrC points out that Article 21 of the Canadian Real Estate Association Realtor Code of Conduct stipulates that:

21. A REALTOR® shall not engage in conduct that is disgraceful, unprofessional or unbecoming of a REALTOR®. The Interpretation of Article 21 goes on to state: 21.1 This Article is intended to deal with conduct that, having regard to all of the circumstances, is

egregious in nature and goes beyond simple error. 21.2 “Conduct” in this Article is not restricted to conduct in the course of providing real estate

services.

Flouting City bylaws, in the the Twitter user’s opinion, is a clear violation of Article 21.

“If someone online has evidence or concerns of a real estate licensee or brokerage in BC violating their professional obligations under the Real Estate Services Act, or just more general concerns about a licensee’s conduct, we’d strongly encourage them to make a complaint to the Real Estate Council of BC, which is the real estate regulator in the province,” Munn added. “The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver investigates complaints made to us that allege a member REALTOR® or brokerage has violated the REALTOR® Code of Ethics or our Rules of Cooperation. If anyone has evidence of our members violating these requirements, we strongly encourage them to make a complaint to our organization.”

BrettdrC is also bringing attention to the requirement for real estate agents to obtain a separate licence to manage property under the Real Estate Service Act of BC , and points out that many realtors seem to be running Airbnb hotels without such a licence.

“Please note that consumer complaints involving one of our members should always first go to the Real Estate Council of BC,” Munn said. “They’ll help advise the public on where best to direct a concern or complaint involving an individual licensed to practice real estate in BC.”

ThinkPol also reached out to the the Real Estate Council of BC, and the realtors exposed by BrettdrC for comments.

While the Real Estate Council promised to look into the matter and get back to us the following day, they never did.

None of the realtors responded to our request for comment.

At least one realtor featured in BrettdrC’s tweets seems to have removed his account.