Kamloops woman banned from property management for how her business adapted to COVID
A Kamloops woman has been ordered to stop being a property manager until and unless she becomes licensed to do so.
On Feb. 10, 2022 in Vancouver, the B.C. Financial Services Authority ordered Kathy Alaina Bakker to stop working in real estate or property management.
While few details were explained, the reasons for the decision were in relation to two sections of the Real Estate Services Act – orders respecting unlicensed activity, and orders in urgent circumstances relating to unlicensed persons.
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However Bakker, when reached for comment, said in an online exchange that she was not performing the duties of a property manager.
She said she was operating a business that offered cleaning and repair service to people with rental properties, to help them with tenants moving in and out. Due to COVID, many out-of-town owners were unable to travel to Kamloops and therefore could not inspect their properties or vet new tenants.
"They didn’t require a full time property manager they just needed someone to find them new tenants during a turnover," said Bakker. "Property management companies do not offer that service."
She was able to reassure prospective tenants that they wouldn't be getting scammed into paying a deposit on a fake rental, and give the property owners more faith in the tenants they accepted.
"Out-of-town landlords end up getting tenants that damage their property because they aren’t able to vet or meet potential tenants in person and unfortunately getting rid of an unsuitable tenant isn’t an easy job."
She said the business she was operating shut down last April, and that she has no plans to resume it as she is now pursuing another venture.
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In addition to ceasing real estate activity, which includes property management, the order also requires Bakker “to carry out specified actions that the superintendent considers necessary to remedy the situation.”
As of the date of the order – Feb. 10 – Bakker has 30 days to provide the B.C. Financial Services Authority with several documents. They include a full list of properties she has provided real estate services for, copies of all real estate services agreements with property owners as well as prospective and current tenants, and copies of her financial records relating to real estate.
The order claims an investigation or a disciplinary hearing into Bakker’s conduct would be detrimental to the public interest.
She still has the option to appeal the order.
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