B.C. real estate agent agrees to $55K in penalties for misconduct

A real estate agent in British Columbia has agreed to pay a total of $55,000 in penalties after admitting to professional misconduct. The decision resolves a consent order issued by the B.C. Financial Services Authority. Although she has no previous disciplinary history, the regulator found serious breaches in how she managed her personal real estate corporation.

Licensed since 2006 and operating under the name Rena Liang Personal Real Estate Corporation (RL PREC) since 2010, the agent used her personal real estate corporation to make a $500,000 loan to her common-law spouse in 2019. The loan and the mortgage connected to a Vancouver property were not related to the real estate services her corporation was licensed to provide. This action broke rules that limit personal real estate corporations to specific, approved activities.

The investigation also revealed that she supported her spouse’s unlicensed property management business. From 2013 to 2020, her spouse and his company managed rental properties without holding a real estate licence. She directed a tenant to pay rent directly to him, even though she knew the business was not legally authorized to operate. That step violated professional standards required of licensed real estate agents.

As part of the consent order, she must pay a $50,000 disciplinary penalty and $5,000 in enforcement costs within 90 days. In addition, she is required to complete a course in real estate trading services from the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business to strengthen her understanding of the rules.

The misconduct came to light following a 2019 complaint about the unlicensed property management activities. The B.C. Financial Services Authority launched its investigation in 2025. The agent cooperated throughout the process, and the consent order was officially approved in May 2025.

Regulators stated that personal real estate corporations must not be used to conduct business outside the scope of approved real estate services. This case shows that even if actions are taken to help a family member, rules and licensing laws still apply. Professionals are expected to uphold strict standards to protect clients and maintain trust in the industry.