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The OACIQ informs you

Are you ready to sell or buy a property with a broker? Here is what you need to know.

The Organisme d’autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec

The OACIQ, the Organisme d’autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec, is the authority of real estate brokerage. We inform and protect the public by enforcing the Real Estate Brokerage Act (REBA), in accordance with the mandate entrusted to us by the Ministère des Finances du Québec. We also oversee the practices of brokers, including by training and inspecting them.

The OACIQ informs you

Because a real estate transaction is among the most important decisions in a person’s life, it is essential to be well informed at each step. We make several tools and resources available to you to ensure that your transaction goes smoothly and securely.

  • Info OACIQ

    Do you need an explanation regarding a clause in your contract? Do you want to know if a Promise to purchase can be cancelled? If you have any questions before, during or after your transaction, contact the information centre Info OACIQ.

    Contact us

  • OACIQ.com

    Browse through our website: current content and practical tips are posted thereon. Try the Check a broker's record tool: you will be able to see your broker’s licence type and check the list of training activities he or she completed.

    Licence Holders Register Open in new tab

  • OACIQ Forms

    Your broker is required to use the OACIQ forms and explain the clauses to you. We have designed over 50 forms to standardize transactions. Your broker is very familiar with them: he or she will present you with those that apply to your situation.

    Check out the form

  • Buyer's Guide and Seller's Guide

    Check our practical guides to better understand all the steps of your transaction with a real estate broker.

    Learn more

The OACIQ supervises brokers

The OACIQ supervises real estate brokers throughout their career to ensure that they are up to date in their practice and respect their professional obligations.

  • Ethical duties and obligations

    The Real Estate Brokerage Act dictates to brokers their duties and obligations, including loyalty, transparency and information. They are required to respect them to protect your interests during the transaction.

    Read more

  • Practice licence

    We are responsible for the strict process of licence issuance and maintenance. We have the power to issue, suspend or revoke licences.

    Read more

  • Continuing education

    To keep their knowledge up to date, all brokers must complete the OACIQ Mandatory Continuing Education Program (MCEP) and accumulate a certain number of continuing education units (CEUs) every two years. They are required to complete the MCEP to maintain their practice licence.

    MCEP

  • Inspection

    We inspect brokers’ activities on a yearly basis. Among other things, we make sure that they use the mandatory brokerage forms and document their records properly. If non-conforming items are identified, corrective measures will be taken.

    Learn more

The OACIQ protects you

The vast majority of real estate transactions go off without a hitch. However, if you experience any problems, many protection mechanisms are offered by the Real Estate Brokerage Act.

  • Public Assistance Department

    If you believe that your broker did not act according to proper rulers and wish to file a complaint or report an ethical breach, the Public Assistance Department will assist you.

  • Syndic

    The role of the OACIQ Syndic is to investigate any alleged violation of the Real Estate Brokerage Act by brokers or agencies. Once an investigation has been completed, the Syndic will determine whether or not to file a complaint with the OACIQ Discipline Committee.

  • Discipline committee

    If a broker commits an ethical fault, he may be brought before the discipline committee and be penalized if found guilty.

  • Ombudsman

    The Ombudsman is independent and neutral in the performance of his duties. You may use his services if the usual complaint handling mechanisms (mentioned above) did not lead to a settlement of your dispute.

  • FICI

    The Real Estate Indemnity Fund offers protection to consumers who deal with a broker or agency and who are victims of fraud, dishonest tactics or misappropriation of funds in the course of a transaction.

     

  • FARCIQ

    The Fonds d'assurance responsabilité professionnelle du courtage immobilier du Québec insures Quebec real estate agencies and brokers against professional liability. If a judgment orders a broker to compensate a consumer in case of unintentional fault, error or omission committed in the course of his or her professional activities, the amounts of money would be withdrawn from this Fund.

Learn more about the different protection mechanisms

More info

Reference number
206969
Last update
March 16, 2023