REBBA

What is REBBA in Ontario real estate?

REBBA is the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002 — the legislation that regulated Ontario real estate trading from March 31, 2006 (when it replaced the older 1990 Act) until December 1, 2023, when it was renamed and replaced in full effect by the Trust in Real Estate Services Act (TRESA). The same underlying statute was renamed; references to REBBA in older course materials, contracts, and case law map to TRESA today, with substantive differences in the representation framework, Code of Ethics, and discipline remedies.

Why the rename mattered

The change from REBBA to TRESA was not just cosmetic. The Phase 2 amendments that took effect December 1, 2023 introduced:

• Designated representation — permitting one brokerage to represent both buyer and seller through different registrants without putting the brokerage itself in multiple representation
• Self-represented party — replacing the former "customer" concept and clarifying narrower duties owed to non-clients
• Restructured Code of Ethics — aligned with the new representation framework
• Administrative monetary penalties — RECO discipline panels can now impose fines, a remedy not available under REBBA
• Information guide — a standardized disclosure RECO publishes that registrants must give consumers before providing services

These are real, substantive changes. A registrant trained on REBBA materials needs to update for TRESA — the regulatory framework looks similar on the surface but the disclosure obligations and discipline tools shifted meaningfully.

REBBA's place in the regulatory history

Ontario's real estate regulatory framework has evolved through three named statutes:

The "2002" in both REBBA and TRESA refers to when the underlying Act was passed — its enabling legislation has the same vintage. TRESA is a renaming and substantive amendment of the same statute, not a new Act.

Where this appears in your Humber program

REBBA is referenced in Course 1: Real Estate Essentials primarily as historical context: candidates should recognize REBBA references in older materials and understand that they map to TRESA. The REBBA-to-TRESA transition (designated representation, monetary penalties, the Code of Ethics restructure) is exam-tested in Phase 2 update content and in continuing-education annual updates.

Frequently asked questions

What does REBBA stand for?

REBBA stands for the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002. It was Ontario's primary real estate trading legislation from March 31, 2006 until December 1, 2023, when it was renamed to the Trust in Real Estate Services Act (TRESA). The Act number remains 2002 in both names — the legislation was passed in 2002 with phased implementation.

What is the difference between REBBA and TRESA?

REBBA was renamed TRESA on December 1, 2023, with substantive Phase 2 amendments. The key differences: TRESA permits designated representation (one brokerage representing both parties through different registrants) where REBBA did not; TRESA introduces administrative monetary penalties that REBBA discipline panels could not impose; TRESA replaces the customer concept with the self-represented party framework; and TRESA's Code of Ethics was restructured. The same underlying statute carried forward; references to REBBA in older materials map to TRESA today.

Is REBBA still in force in Ontario?

REBBA is no longer in force as of December 1, 2023. The Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002 was renamed the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002 (TRESA) on that date, and the Phase 2 amendments took full effect. Existing REBBA-era documents, registration certificates, and Code of Ethics complaints now operate under TRESA. The two statutes are the same legislation under different names.

When did REBBA become TRESA?

REBBA became TRESA in stages. The TRESA Act was passed in 2020 (S.O. 2020, c. 1) authorizing the rename and substantive amendments. Phase 1 (October 1, 2020) introduced Personal Real Estate Corporations. Phase 2 (December 1, 2023) brought the full rename, the restructured Code of Ethics, designated representation, administrative monetary penalties, and the self-represented party framework. TRESA has been in full effect since that date.

Practice this topic

ExamAce covers the REBBA-to-TRESA transition, the historical regulatory framework, and the substantive Phase 2 changes in the Course 1 question bank, with current TRESA updates in the CE annual update bank.