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Rental Property Manager Receives $30,000 Penalty and Suspended Licence for Professional Misconduct
BCFSA has suspended the licence of Donald Nichol for one year and ordered him to pay a $30,000 penalty and $2,000 in enforcement expenses for committing professional misconduct while managing a rental property.
Nichol was found to have committed misconduct while managing a rental property under Pacific Quorum Properties Inc. in Surrey, B.C between February 2016 and May 2017, when he failed to:
- Collect a required security deposit and an initial rent payment;
- Follow his clients’ instructions regarding two tenancy agreements;
- Enter the correct address on a residential tenancy agreement that affected tenancy dispute resolutions;
- Make reasonable efforts to collect a monetary penalty from tenants;
- Conduct a mandatory move-in inspection; and
- Conduct a credit check on prospective tenants.
Disciplinary Actions Permanent link to this section
As part of the Consent Order agreed upon by Nichol and the Superintendent of Real Estate, the following disciplinary actions have been imposed:
- Nichol’s licence will be suspended for one year, effective June 21, 2024; and
- Nichol is required to pay a disciplinary penalty of $30,000 as well as $2,000 in enforcement expenses to BCFSA.
Failure to adhere to these terms may lead to further disciplinary actions, including additional suspension or cancellation of Nichol’s licence.
“Licensees have a duty to act in their clients’ best interests and in accordance with their clients’ legal instructions,” said Jonathan Vandall, Vice President of Compliance & Enforcement at BCFSA. “The penalty reflects the licensee’s failure to meet their core responsibilities, including duties to act with reasonable care and skill.”
More Information Permanent link to this section
Media Contact:
Kate Bilney
Communications Manager, (778) 357-1634
Visit: www.bcfsa.ca