What we do

As Ontario’s regulator of more than 110,000 real estate agents and brokerages (often referred to as registrants), RECO administers and enforces the law that regulates trading in real estate in Ontario and enhances consumer confidence in the real estate services sector. RECO’s commitment to pursuing trust in every transaction means consumers can navigate the real estate market with confidence, knowing that the regulator is committed to fairness, transparency and reliability for all parties involved.

• We protect consumers
  As Ontario’s regulator, we ensure that real estate agents and brokerages follow the law. We investigate complaints and take necessary actions to safeguard consumer interests.
• We provide oversight
  As an independent authority, we hold real estate agents and brokerages accountable, make unbiased decisions to protect the public, and maintain trust in the real estate services market.
• We educate and support
  We help consumers understand their rights and responsibilities when buying or selling real estate, enabling them to make informed and confident decisions throughout the process.
• We set educational requirements
  We establish educational requirements for real estate agents, including pre-registration, post-registration, broker, and continuing education programs, to provide them with the knowledge needed to remain compliant with the law and effectively serve consumers.

As an Administrative Authority (AA) under the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, RECO advances consumer protection, oversees registration of real estate agents and brokerages across Ontario, and enforces the applicable law. With the authority to investigate complaints, inspect brokerages, and enforce standards, RECO can impose fines and revoke registrations when necessary, ensuring that industry practices remain ethical and transparent. RECO also sets and maintains educational requirements for real estate agents, providing them with the necessary skills and knowledge to serve the public effectively. RECO also arranges for and administers insurance (professional liability and deposit protection).

Importantly, RECO works to empower consumers by helping them understand their rights and responsibilities in real estate transactions, enabling them to make informed decisions with confidence. A key element of this is the RECO Information Guide, designed to assist individuals in making informed decisions. Required to be shared by real estate registrants before providing services or assistance, the guide offers valuable information, advice, and guidance to help clients navigate the complexities of real estate transactions.

Mission

As Ontario’s regulator, our role is to protect consumers by ensuring that real estate agents and brokerages in Ontario understand and follow the law.   

Vision  

A trusted and transparent real estate services sector where consumers feel confident in every transaction.

Values 

• Model empathy and choose inclusivity  

• Be intentional in all actions  

• Act with integrity  

• Embrace curiosity  

• Be strategically agile  

Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) 

RECO is the regulator for real estate agents and brokerages in Ontario.

Registration is mandatory to legally trade in real estate in Ontario.

RECO’s mandate is consumer protection, and as a delegated administrative authority, RECO enforces the law in the public interest. 

As Ontario's regulator, our role is to protect consumers by ensuring that real estate agents and brokerages in Ontario understand and follow the law.

RECO’s role:

• Help consumers make informed decisions when buying or selling a home and understand that there are benefits to working with a regulated professional.
• Administer and enforce TRESA and a code of ethics. Provide advice to government regarding consumer protection legislation.
• Help registrants understand and follow TRESA. Investigate complaints about registrants who may have violated TRESA.
• Be accountable to the public through the Ontario government.
• Set the standards for pre-registration, articling and broker education.
• Develop and deliver mandatory continuing education courses.
• Administer a mandatory insurance program that includes consumer deposit protection, errors and omissions coverage and commission protection.

The Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement (MPBSDP)

MPBSDP is a ministry in the Ontario government that delivers vital programs, services and products — ranging from health cards, drivers licences, and birth certificates to consumer protection and public safety — all to help create a better quality of life for Ontario’s families.

Relationship between MPBSDP and RECO:  

• RECO is one of 11 delegated administrative authorities overseen by MPBSDP (the ministry). The ministry is responsible for any amendments to the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002 (TRESA) and its associated regulations.
• RECO has been delegated by the government as the authority that administers and enforces TRESA, and is responsible for day-to-day delivery of services.
• The minister is accountable to the Legislative Assembly for the fulfilment of the statutory mandate by RECO.
• RECO’s Board of Directors is accountable to the minister through the RECO chair for the performance of RECO.

Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA)

OREA is a professional association.

Membership is voluntary.

OREA’s mandate is to work on behalf of its members. 

OREA’s mission is to help Ontario REALTORS® succeed in building stronger communities.

OREA’s role:

• Encourage consumers to use a REALTOR® when they buy or sell a home.
• Work to create a legislative and regulatory environment at Queen’s Park that is favourable to REALTORS® and real estate.
• Provide information, tools and services, like standard forms, to help REALTORS® with their businesses.
• Be accountable to its REALTOR® members.
• Provide voluntary courses for individual professional development.
• Develop forms and clauses for residential and commercial transactions. For example, Agreement of Purchase and Sale, Listing Agreement and Buyer Representation Agreement.

RECO does not…

• Have the authority to resolve monetary or contractual disputes or to assess or award damages
• Have authority over buyers and sellers, or over the valuations of properties.
• Collect, maintain or distribute sales figures or market data. Sales figures are maintained by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).
• Regulate the sale of new homes. The regulation and licensing of new home builders and vendors in Ontario are the responsibility of the Home Construction Regulatory Authority(HRCA) and Tarion is accountable for all issues related to homeowner warranty protection. is accountable for all issues related to homeowner warranty protection.