FAQs

Below are some of the more common questions RECA receives from consumers on a variety of topics.

You may also want to browse consumer questions in our Ask RECA column.


RECA understands that consumers may be concerned about how COVID-19 might impact their real estate transactions.

The bottom line is that whether you’re looking to buy, sell, rent out, or lease property, it is important to work cooperatively with your real estate professionals to decide what precautions or adjustments you may need to make to keep yourself and others healthy.

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I am the buyer/seller in a real estate transaction. My real estate professional (or another party) is proposing COVID-19 related clauses and liability waivers. Should I agree to them?

COVID-19 related clauses and liability waivers are relatively new. RECA strongly urges you to speak with your lawyer before agreeing to any such clauses or waivers. Your lawyer will assist you in understanding the implications of these clauses or waivers on your specific situation, and whether they are right for you. They will also be in a position to provide amendments to ensure your rights and interests are protected.

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What can I do if I want to view a property, but the owner won’t let anybody in?

The government has encouraged everyone to take part in social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19.

If it is not essential that you view the property immediately, you may want to wait until the owner is willing to provide access. If you need to view a property currently for sale and the owner will not permit in-person viewings, you may want to speak to your real estate professional about alternate solutions such as video tours, photos, or another possibilities. If none of those options are acceptable, you may have to wait or eliminate that property from your list.

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What can I do if I want to a view a property, but my real estate professional is concerned about the risks of COVID-19?

It is important to understand that real estate professionals must also self-assess their own risk tolerances when it comes to COVID-19.

If it is essential that you view the property now, you may wish to discuss with your real estate professional how you can view the property, and discuss any risks that could arise. One such option is to ask your real estate professional to refer you to another professional at their brokerage who is willing show you the property. If your professional is part of a designated agency brokerage, using a different professional will require an amendment to your service agreement allowing the new professional to act as your designated agent. This option will not create additional fees for you as you are still dealing with the same brokerage.

If all options have failed and you need to deal with a different brokerage you may still be responsible for commissions owed to them. In these situations you should seek legal advice as to your options. There may be circumstances where commissions may not be payable.

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How do I sanitize my home to protect my family from potential contamination?

Various health organizations have compiled key information sources for up-to-date information about COVID-19 and how to protect yourself:

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I’ve just returned from a vacation outside the country. Can I still have showings at my home?

The government has issued very clear and unequivocal instructions to self-quarantine for 14 days once you return. This means no physical interaction, period. This means you cannot even leave your home the day of a showing. Talk to your real estate professional about your options, including video showings, and possibly suspending your listing until the pandemic ends.

Remember that any amendments to service agreements, including pausing your listing, must be agreed to in writing.

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I am in one of the most-at-risk groups for complications from COVID-19. Should I allow viewings?

The government has recommended that it is better for people aged 70 and over, or with pre-existing conditions, to stay at home and avoid contact. This would include strangers coming into your home for showings. Talk to your real estate professional about your options, including video showings, and possibly suspending your listing until the pandemic ends.

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Do I have the right to ask buyers or sellers questions about COVID-19 and their health condition prior to visits?

Yes. However, they are not required to answer. Ask your real estate professional to talk to the buyer/seller’s real estate professional about this. You should also carefully consider the implications a buyer/seller who refuses to respond to the question.

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I have a fully accepted offer but I no longer want to sell because of COVID-19: do I have the right to do this?

Most likely you do not have the right, as it would break a legally binding contract. The parties are bound by the terms of the contract. If you no longer wish to sell after signing the offer and acceptance, you could potentially be exposed to legal action by the buyer. You may also be required to pay commissions. Speak to your lawyer about the possible repercussions for your actions. Your lawyer may also be able to negotiate a termination to the purchase and sale contract with the buyer.

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I don’t want someone in my property to measure using the RMS during the COVID-19 Pandemic. What can I do?

RECA does not require professionals to advertise the size of your property. If you’re uncomfortable with someone coming to measure your property, you can ask your real estate professional to not make a size representation. If their local board requires them to advertise a size, have them contact their local board to discuss if there are any size relaxations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As an alternative, you may want to contact home measurement companies and examine their pandemic preparations. Some home measurement companies have significantly altered their processes to reduce the infection of their customers and employees.

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I have accepted an offer for the sale of my property. The buyer lost their job due to the COVID-19 crisis and his lender is now refusing to grant financing: what can I do?

Most lender commitments remain conditional on the borrower's (buyer’s) financial position remaining unchanged. In the case of a layoff, even a temporary one, there have been instances in the past where the lending institution has refused to finance the mortgage.

If this is the case, have your real estate professional speak to the buyer’s real estate professional and see what arrangements can be made to secure financing before the possession date. Speak to your lawyer and take the necessary steps to secure your best interest. One of the steps may involve having your lawyer speak to the trustee holding the deposits in trust, claiming the trust deposits.

Refer to the remuneration clause of your service agreement with your real estate professional to determine any commissions you may owe.

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My home is listed but I am self-isolating. What can I do if I don’t want people viewing my property?

To list your home for sale with a real estate professional you will have entered into a seller representation agreement, (most often called a listing agreement) with your professional’s brokerage. This agreement is a contract that outlines what you and your real estate professional agree to do to facilitate the sale of your home, including any provisions for showings. Speak to your real estate professional about the different options.

RECA has prepared a checklist for all real estate professionals that they can discuss with you. The options include cancelling showings until your isolation period is over, or amending the term of your listing agreement to limit or prohibit viewings entirely. Your real estate professional should also check with their local real estate board about any relaxations for certain agreement obligations during this time, as the real estate boards may have specific requirements about making your property available to show.

If you are unable to come to agree on a path forward with your real estate professional, contact their broker. Your listing agreement is with the brokerage, not your individual real estate professional, and the broker will have the authority to assist you. If you can’t come to an agreement, you may consider terminating the representation agreement. However, this can result in you owing damages, so you may want to seek legal advice before you consider this option. Ultimately, in these times, the hope is that common sense will prevail and all parties will be able to come to a satisfactory solution.


If you’re buying a residential property in Alberta—and you’re the client of a licensed real estate professional—that licensed real estate professional is going to ask you to sign a written service agreement (a Buyer Representation Agreement).

The Real Estate Council of Alberta introduced mandatory written service agreements to enhance consumer protection, by providing greater clarity of the roles and obligations between real estate professionals and their clients, and to reduce any potential for conflicts and confusion.

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What are my options for a working relationship with a real estate professional?

The real estate professional will explain the options available, and give you a Consumer Relationships Guide that outlines the options, the difference between being a customer or a client, and the responsibilities of the real estate professional in each option.

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What is the purpose of written service agreements?

Written service agreements inform clients about what they can and should expect from their relationship with their authorized industry professional by:

  • describing the responsibilities and services of the real estate professional
  • outlining the obligations of the real estate professional and the client
  • setting out the fees (if any) or how the industry professional will be compensated
  • providing consent to collect, maintain, use, and distribute a client’s personal information
  • addressing any potential conflict of interest scenarios

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Are all buyer representation agreements exclusive?

In an exclusive buyer representation agreement, you, as the buyer, agree to only use the services of that brokerage to represent and assist you in purchasing a property.

In a non-exclusive buyer representation agreement, you, as the buyer, may use the services of multiple brokerages at the same time. You can enter into multiple non-exclusive buyer representation agreements.

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Does my buyer representation agreement have to be exclusive?

No. However, your agreement will need the consent of the brokerage(s) you’re working with. Consumers should make an informed choice about the type of relationship they wish to have with a real estate professional. They should also understand the implications of the options available to them.

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Can I buy real estate without entering into a written service agreement?

Yes, as long as the brokerage is not treating you as a client. A brokerage may facilitate your purchase of real estate without entering into a written service agreement. In these cases, the brokerage would treat you, as the buyer, as a customer. This is typical when a buyer is purchasing a new home or condominium, and the brokerage represents the builder.

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Are written Buyer Representation Agreements mandatory?

Yes. Effective July 1, 2014, if you are interested in buying residential property and are the client of a real estate professional in Alberta, you will be asked to sign a written service agreement (buyer representation agreement).

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When I enter into a written service agreement, is there a specific form I will be asked to sign as a buyer?

The answer to this question depends on two factors:

  • are you interested in buying residential property?
  • will you be entering into an exclusive buyer representation relationship?

If you answer “yes” to BOTH of these questions, the agreement must contain the mandatory content as contained in RECA’s Exclusive Buyer Representation Agreement.

If you are not interested in residential real estate OR you want a non-exclusive agreement, your real estate professional is not required to use the mandatory content. However, you will be asked to enter into a written agreement that meets the requirements of the Real Estate Act Rules. You can review RECA’s sample non-exclusive buyer representation agreements for more details.

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What services may a real estate professional provide if I am a customer?

If you are a customer, a real estate professional may:

  • show you properties
  • provide real estate statistics and information
  • provide standard form agreements and help you complete them
  • provide the names of other service providers (appraisers, mortgage brokers, etc.)

If you are a customer, a real estate professional may not:

  • provide any services that requirement discretion of judgment
  • give confidential advice
  • advocate on your behalf

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Do I need to sign anything if I want to see a few houses?

It will depend what information you provide to the real estate professional before viewing homes. If or when you start providing confidential information, such as needs, motivation or financial qualification, to the professional, he or she needs to clarify your working relationship—to find out if you want to be treated as a client or a customer.

If you want to be a client, and have that professional represent you, you will need a written buyer representation agreement. The requirement for a written service agreement won’t be triggered simply by visiting an open house, small talk about housing price ranges or property styles, or when a real state professional simply responds to general, factual questions from a buyer or a seller.

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What is the duration of a written service agreement?

The duration of such an agreement is negotiable between you and the brokerage; it could be a day or many months, depending on the specific circumstances.

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If I sign a buyer representation agreement, do I have to pay my real estate professional?

In most real estate transactions, the seller or the transaction pays the real estate fees. There are situations where the seller will not pay the buyer brokerage portion of the fees and your brokerage may ask you to pay in that situation. Your industry professional should discuss this issue with you and alert you if you wish to view one of these properties. Often, the net result of what you pay for the property is not affected by who pays the buyer brokerage portion of the fees.


For more details on the different kinds of fraud, see Mortgage Fraud Awareness and Prevention.

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Are there different types of mortgage fraud?

Yes, there are a few different kinds of mortgage fraud. The main types to be aware of are fraud for housing, fraud for title, fraud for profit, and foreclosure fraud.

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What is fraud for housing?

Fraud for housing is providing misleading or false information on a loan application (usually by misrepresenting income or other debts) to qualify for a mortgage loan you would not otherwise get and/ or representing on the loan application you are going to live in the home, when in fact, you have no intention to live in the home.

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What is fraud for profit?

Fraud for profit is fraud where the motive is financial gain. This usually includes a number of individuals working together to inflate the price of a home or get loans for non-existent homes. Organized crime is often the mastermind of these fraud schemes. Industry insiders are normally involved, and the fraud is more complex. Check out an example of a typical Straw Buyer mortgage fraud for profit.

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How can I protect myself from mortgage fraud?

  • review RECA’s Mortgage Fraud: Protect Yourself poster
  • watch out for people who make you an offer that seems too good to be true
  • read any contracts you sign very closely - when in doubt, have your lawyer review documents and contracts if something doesn’t seem right to you
  • check your land title every so often to ensure there is nothing suspicious showing up on title (second mortgage, etc.)
  • check your credit through Equifax or Transunion every couple of years to make sure you haven’t been the victim of identity theft

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Some mortgage fraud is more serious than others, right?

Unfortunately, this isn't true. Fraud is fraud. Just because it was for housing rather than for profit does not make it any less serious. The fact is, it’s a fraudulent action. Law enforcement bodies and other regulators take fraud seriously.

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What should I do if I suspect a suspicious real estate or mortgage transaction?

Your best bet is to speak to a lawyer about your suspicions.

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Can individuals who are involved in mortgage fraud be punished by law?

Yes. Fraud is a Criminal Code of Canada offence.

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Where can I go to learn more about how to protect myself from mortgage fraud?

The Real Estate Council of Alberta is one resource for consumers about mortgage fraud prevention and awareness, but there are others:

  • Service Alberta
  • CMHC
  • The Law Society of Alberta
  • Mortgage Professionals Canada

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What is a “straw buyer”?

“Straw buyers” are phony loan applicants. A fraudster usually offers a straw buyer payment in exchange for the use of their name and credit information. Straw buyers may say they did not know their name would be used on a mortgage application, but saying you didn’t know your information would be used to commit mortgage fraud is not a legitimate excuse under the law. Straw buyers may also be used to sign documents containing false information. Learn more about straw buyers.

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Am I only at risk for mortgage fraud if I have bad credit?

No. Mortgage fraud can affect anybody; good or bad credit, employed or unemployed. Some mortgage scam artists try to recruit buyers with good credit who might be attracted to quick, high return investment opportunities.

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Can I be compensated if I become the victim or mortgage fraud?

RECA administers the Consumer Protection Fund. The Fund compensates consumers who suffer a financial loss as a result of fraud, breach of trust, or a failure to disburse or account for money held in trust by an industry member with respect to a trade in real estate or deal in mortgages. The protection does not extend to clients of unlicensed professionals.

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How do I find out if the person I am dealing with is a licensed real estate or mortgage brokerage professional?

All professionals who are licensed to trade in real estate or deal in mortgages in Alberta can be found through a quick online search at www.reca.ca. Go to our Find a Professional tool and type in the name of an individual or a company.


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What is the purpose of the Residential Measurement Standard (RMS)?

The RMS gives consumers and industry professionals accurate and consistent property measurements, which they can use to compare properties and determine their suitability. Proper application of the RMS ensures real estate professionals provide reliable and verifiable property size and dimensions.

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How do I measure properties according to the RMS?

It depends on the type of property you are measuring.

  • Measure detached properties using the exterior wall at the foundation. Detached properties include fully detached bare land condominiums.
  • Measure semi-detached and townhouse properties using the exterior wall at the foundation. If the thickness of the demising walls cannot be determined, use the thickness of an exterior wall.
  • Measure attached properties using the interior perimeter walls at floor level.

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Do I have to measure every room and closet in an attached property?

No. You can use long runs.

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How do I compare attached and detached properties?

To compare different types of residential properties, real estate professionals can provide an additional measurement for attached properties using the property’s exterior. Real estate professionals must base this additional measurement on reasonable assumptions about the exterior wall thickness, and can extrapolate the exterior wall thickness from the thickness of the exterior door casings and/or exterior window casings. If real estate professionals provide additional measurements based on exterior assumptions, they must make it clear it is not the RMS area for the property, and explain their assumptions.

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Do I have to communicate the RMS for every property I list?

It depends on the seller’s direction. Sellers are not required to represent the size of their property; however:

  • property size is often important to buyers and other real estate professionals<
  • the listing service/property database may have a mandatory property size field
  • If the seller wants you to communicate the size of the listing and/or the listing service/property database has a mandatory property size field, it must be the RMS.

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Do I have to measure the property myself?

No. Consumers are not required to measure their property or to adhere to the RMS. However, if your real estate professional is advertising the property size to sell your home, they must measure the property themselves or hire a company to measure using the RMS.

To determine whether someone is competent to measure properties in accordance with the RMS, you might ask them to detail:

  • how were they/their staff trained in the RMS
  • the number of properties they/their staff measured using the RMS<
  • the equipment, processes, and software they use to calculate the RMS
  • references from other real estate professionals who have used their service

In addition, you should ensure the person or service has Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance for their measurement services.

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What about apartments on the ground floor where a portion or all of the unit are below grade?

I am listing a 2-storey condominium apartment in a large building where all apartments are the same. The apartments are 2-storey apartments. The apartment I am listing is on the ground level and one of the stories in the apartment is 2-feet below grade. If I don’t include the below-grade portion of the apartment, the apartment will appear to be significantly smaller in my local board’s database than other same size apartments in the same building. How should I deal with this situation?

The RMS provides an exception for properties that are entirely below grade.

The outcome of this exception means that if apartments in a building were the same and were one level, there would be no discrepancy between all of the apartments in the building except that the apartments below grade would have a clarification to say that the entire property is below grade. To be consistent with this outcome, you can include the below grade portion in your local board’s RMS field, but you will need to identify size of the area that is below grade in the public comments of the listing information.

You may also provide additional information that would be of value to the marketing of the property such as identifying the depth of the level below grade. This approach will also be applicable for stacked townhouses with identical units.

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Can I use the size listed in a municipal tax roll as the RMS if I disclose where I got the information?

No.

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Can I use the size in a listing database from a previous listing of the property?

No. Real estate professionals have an obligation to their clients to perform their due diligence. Measuring the property according to the RMS or having it measured by a qualified individual is part of that due diligence. There is no guarantee as to the accuracy of the previous listing’s measurements and the property may have been renovated or added to since it was last listed which could have changed its area measurements.

However, there are some limited circumstances when re-measuring is not required. Re-measuring is not required when renewing a recently expired listing or the property is a rental unit with a property management agreement that indicates the property will be listed for rent multiple times during the agreement as vacancies arise.

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Can I use the condominium unit registered size as the RMS size?

No. You must use the RMS.

The Condominium Unit Registered Size was not intended to enable size comparisons between properties. The purpose of the Condominium Unit Registered Size is to calculate the condominium unit’s “unit factor.” The condominium registered size does not provide proper comparisons between units in the same condominium or between units from different condominiums, as the CURS can include items, such as garages, parking spaces, separate storage areas, below grade areas, and balconies.

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What happens if the RMS size is larger than the condominium unit registered size?

If the RMS is larger than the condominium unit registered size, you should recheck your calculations. In the majority of cases, the condominium unit registered size will be larger than the RMS size because most condominium unit registered sizes include wall thickness and other areas such as such as garages, parking spaces, separate storage areas, below grade areas, and balconies.

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My seller client is upset because when they bought the property, the seller represented it as larger. What do I do?

The seller may have purchased the property under a different size standard that provides a larger size value by including areas that are not included as part of the RMS.

It is important for you to discuss this with the seller. When buyers purchase resale residential properties, there is often a correlation between the property size and the sale price, but the correlation is not proportional. The property’s size is only one of many factors that influence the sale price. Other factors include the property’s location, layout, style, modernization, finishing, amenities, etc.

Explain to the seller that their property has not shrunk, and that all real estate professionals who are listing properties will measure according to the RMS so there is consistency, and there will not be a competitive disadvantage. If the seller’s property is attached and you believe buyers will compare it to detached properties, you can advise the seller that you will also communicate the assumed exterior size.

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Why don’t non-industry members such as home builders have to use the RMS?

RECA only has jurisdiction through the Real Estate Act over real estate, mortgage brokerage, real estate appraisal, and property management professionals.



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