Consent Order

Hao (Lawrence) Tang demonstrated incompetence and failed in his duties to his buyer client. Although Mr. Tang did not know whether GST applied on his client's transaction, he advised her that she was required to pay GST.

Mr. Tang did not act in his client's best interests, and did not advise his client to seek independent professional advice to find out whether GST applied on the transaction.

Mr. Tang signed and initialed documents on his client's behalf without written authorization, including a document which stated the commission he would receive. By not having his client initial that document, Mr. Tang did not properly disclose to his client the remuneration he was receiving.

Licensees are required to promptly disclose all remuneration they receive (or anticipate receiving) to their clients, and must have written authorization to sign agreements on behalf of their clients.

Results

A discipline committee of the Council has ordered the following:

1. Mr. Tang is suspended for 60 days, from November 1 2017 to December 31 2017, inclusive. Mr. Tang is prohibited from acting as an unlicensed assistant during the licence suspension period.
2. Mr. Tang must pay enforcement expenses of $2,000.00 to the Council.
3. At his own expense, Mr. Tang must successfully complete the Real Estate Trading Services Remedial Education Course.