Real estate regulators, associations and consumer help in Ontario
Hiring or checking on a real estate agent in Ontario involves more than one body. This is a curated list of real organisations: the regulator, the trade associations, and the agencies that take complaints or give legal and financial guidance to buyers and sellers.
Government & regulatory
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Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO)
Regulates real estate brokerages, brokers and salespeople in Ontario under the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002. It handles consumer complaints, enforces the code of ethics and runs a public registrant lookup.
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Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement (Ontario)
The Ontario ministry responsible for consumer protection legislation, including the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002, which RECO administers. It also runs Consumer Protection Ontario.
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Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA)
The Ontario regulator of mortgage brokerages, agents and administrators, along with insurance, pensions and credit unions. It takes complaints about mortgage brokers.
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Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
The federal housing agency. It provides mortgage loan insurance and housing market information, and publishes homebuying guidance. It also administers federal housing programs, such as the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, which was historically offered; check its site for current status.
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Condominium Authority of Ontario (CAO)
Provides information, and a Condominium Authority Tribunal for dispute resolution, for condominium owners and buyers. It is relevant to condo purchases made through an agent.
Industry & professional associations
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Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA)
The professional association for Ontario real estate brokers and salespeople. It provides standard forms such as the agreement of purchase and sale, offers continuing education, and publishes consumer guides on buying and selling.
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Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB)
A professional association of real estate brokers and salespeople in the Greater Toronto Area. It operates the local MLS system and has a code of conduct and a complaint and discipline process for its members.
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The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA)
The national trade association for real estate professionals. It owns the MLS and REALTOR trademarks and publishes national housing market data.
Consumer protection
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Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC)
A federal agency that supervises federally regulated financial institutions' compliance with consumer protection measures. It publishes mortgage tools and guides for homebuyers.
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Competition Bureau Canada
A federal agency that enforces the Competition Act. It handles complaints about false or misleading representations and deceptive marketing practices, including in real estate advertising.
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Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Collects reports of fraud and identity theft, including real estate, mortgage and rental scams. It operates jointly with the RCMP, the Competition Bureau and the Ontario Provincial Police.
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Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI)
An independent body that investigates unresolved complaints about banks and investment firms, including mortgage-related disputes with participating banks.
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Tarion Warranty Corporation
Administers the statutory new home warranty program in Ontario under the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act. It handles warranty claims on newly built homes and condominiums.
Legal help
This is general information, not legal advice. Speak to a qualified professional about your specific situation.
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Legal Aid Ontario
Provides publicly funded legal services to eligible low-income Ontarians. Its coverage of civil and real estate matters is limited, so check eligibility.
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Law Society of Ontario (LSO) – Lawyer and Paralegal Directory and Referral Service
The regulator of Ontario lawyers and paralegals. Its referral service connects the public with a lawyer or paralegal for a free initial consultation of up to 30 minutes.
Support organisations
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Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO)
A non-profit that publishes plain-language legal information for Ontarians, including its Steps to Justice resource covering housing and consumer issues.
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