Superintendent of Real Estate Enforcement Action Against Cricket Property Management – Information for Impacted Property Owners and Tenants

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The Superintendent of Real Estate has taken enforcement action to protect consumers from the actions of Cricket Property Management

On May 6, 2021, the Superintendent of Real Estate issued an “Order in Urgent Circumstances” and an “Order to Freeze Property” under British Columbia’s Real Estate Services Act (the “Act”) against Cricket Property Management for allegedly providing unlicensed real estate services in British Columbia for a fee, contrary to the Act. A copy of these orders and the Superintendent’s “Reasons for Decision Regarding Orders” are available on the Office of the Superintendent of Real Estate’s (OSRE) enforcement page. A press release was issued by OSRE on May 7, 2021.
Evidence obtained by OSRE staff indicated that a significant number of property owners and tenants were impacted by the actions of Cricket Property Management. The Superintendent considered it was in the public interest to make an “Order in Urgent Circumstances” requiring that Cricket Property Management:

Immediately cease providing rental property management services unless and until both become licensed under the Act to provide such services;
Provide outstanding documentation and financial records requested by OSRE;
Return all rental and deposit monies to property owners as soon as practicable and provide evidence of same to the OSRE;
Take reasonable steps to inform the public that Cricket Property Management is not licensed under the Act and not exempted under the Real Estate Services Regulation to provide real estate services in BC, including rental property management services; and
Immediately remove from its websites and all other social media platforms all references to Cricket Property Management providing rental property management services in BC.

The Superintendent also issued an “Order to Freeze Property” to prevent Cricket Property Management and its owners from withdrawing funds or other property on deposit at the bank account(s) believed by the Superintendent to be associated with the unlicensed real estate activity. These funds are believed to include rental monies, rental security deposits, and fees charged by Cricket Property Management for its unlicensed services.

The Act requires that any individual or corporation that is providing real estate services (including rental property management services) in B.C. to or on behalf of another, for or in expectation of remuneration, to be licensed with the Real Estate Council of British Columbia unless otherwise exempted.
Rental property management services include, but are not limited to, finding a party to acquire rental real estate, negotiating or entering into contracts, and collecting rent or security deposits.
The Act prohibits any action to seek remuneration in relation to real estate services unless, at the time the real estate services were provided, the person claiming the remuneration was licensed under the Real Estate Services Act or exempted from the requirement to be licensed.
Further information about remuneration can be found in the regulatory advisory (PDF).

Cricket Property Management is not licensed with the Real Estate Council of BC and does not meet the requirements for an exemption from licensing under the Act or Real Estate Services Regulation.
Property owners who have engaged the services of Cricket Property Management, or any members of the public who have information about this matter, are asked to contact OSRE.
OSRE does not have the jurisdiction to adjudicate monetary or contract matters or assess or award damages, all of which come under the jurisdiction of the civil courts.
OSRE cannot offer legal advice or make referrals to a lawyer. Affected individuals are encouraged to seek the advice of lawyer to discuss their situation and the options available to them.