Health and Safety Protocols for Real Estate Services Released

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Vancouver, BC, May 15, 2020 – The Real Estate Council of BC (RECBC) recommends that real estate professionals follow health and safety protocols released today by WorkSafeBC. As essential service providers that British Columbians rely on, real estate professionals must continue to take all necessary steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

“Ensuring public protection as BC begins to chart a gradual path back from COVID-19 remains RECBC’s highest priority,” said RECBC’s CEO, Erin Seeley. “We urge real estate professionals to put health and safety first by following the protocols from WorkSafeBC. That includes continuing to use alternatives to in-person viewings whenever possible and limiting face-to-face interactions with clients. RECBC maintains its strong recommendation that no in-person open houses should be held.”

Additionally, the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) in consultation with RECBC and the Office of the Superintendent of Real Estate has today released its Return to Safe Work Plan: A Checklist for Managing Brokers. The checklist provides a framework of policies and procedures to support real estate sales brokerages to safely resume or continue business and maintain consumer confidence.

To support real estate professionals to continue to safely offer their services, and to help consumers make informed decisions while minimizing risk during this crisis, RECBC has information, guidance and useful tools available on our COVID-19 and Real Estate webpages.

We encourage consumers and real estate professionals to have open and transparent communications to resolve any issues that may arise related to COVID-19 in the course of providing real estate services.

RECBC provides a confidential resource for real estate professionals and consumers who have questions about real estate transactions. Contact a Professional Standards Advisor by email at advisor@recbc.ca or by phone at 604-683-9664, toll-free 1-877-683-9664.

About RECBC

RECBC is a regulatory agency established by the provincial government. Its mandate is to protect the public by enforcing the licensing and conduct requirements of the Real Estate Services Act.