Calgary, Alberta – The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is warning consumers about Samantha Myles, a former real estate associate in the Calgary area.
Myles is offering property management services without holding a licence and registration from RECA. Myles is advertising using her former real estate brokerages’ names to mislead consumers into thinking she is a licensed property manager when she is not. This has resulted in consumers being charged for services they did not receive.
If a consumer is using Myles’ services, they may not be protected by the consumer protection fund or covered under the professional’s errors and omissions insurance. These are only available if a consumer is using a licensed industry professional.
RECA issued a $25,000 administrative penalty to Myles for unauthorized practice, but RECA has information she is continuing to hold herself out as a property manager.
As we continue to receive complaints about unlicensed property management services across the province, RECA urges consumers to verify the licence status and authorized practice areas of industry professionals on RECA’s website by following these steps:
Real estate industry professionals who are authorized in property management will have “P.M.” listed in the “Real Estate Sectors” column.
RECA also reminds consumers that only brokerages can receive payments for any purpose in a real estate transaction, including for commissions. Licensed real estate and property management professionals are not permitted to accept any payment directly from a consumer.
Using a licensed industry professional protects you as a consumer. It ensures the industry professional has the necessary education and experience to best provide you services and you are protected under the consumer protection fund in case of fraud or breach of trust.
If you have concerns regarding an industry professional, contact us at info@reca.ca.
