TRESA

What is TRESA in Ontario real estate?

TRESA is the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002, the consumer-protection legislation that governs every real estate trade in Ontario. It came fully into force on April 1, 2023, replacing the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act (REBBA) under which the industry had operated since 2002. TRESA is administered by RECO and applies to every brokerage, broker, and salesperson registered to trade in Ontario real estate.

What changed when TRESA replaced REBBA

The Phase 2 amendments that brought TRESA fully into force introduced several substantive changes:

• Designated representation — a brokerage may now designate one registrant to represent the buyer and a different registrant to represent the seller in the same transaction without putting the brokerage itself in multiple representation
• Self-represented party — replaces the older "customer" concept; defines what the registrant owes someone they are not representing
• Information guide — RECO publishes a standard guide every registrant must give to consumers before providing services
• Administrative monetary penalties — RECO discipline panels can now impose fines, a remedy not available under REBBA
• Enhanced disclosure requirements — broader and more specific disclosure obligations around material facts, representation status, and conflicts of interest

The Code of Ethics was also restructured under TRESA to align with the new representation framework.

TRESA's regulatory architecture

TRESA delegates day-to-day administration to RECO, the Real Estate Council of Ontario. RECO registers brokerages and registrants, runs the discipline process, operates the mandatory insurance program, and publishes regulatory guidance. The Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery oversees the legislation but does not handle individual files.

If a question asks which Act regulates Ontario real estate trading, the answer is TRESA. If it asks who administers TRESA, the answer is RECO.

Where this appears in your Humber program

TRESA is foundational content in Course 1: Real Estate Essentials under the regulatory framework module, with deeper coverage of designated representation, multiple representation, and the Code of Ethics in Course 2 and the broker program. Recent TRESA bulletins are core continuing-education content because the Act continues to be refined through regulation.

Frequently asked questions

What does TRESA stand for?

TRESA stands for the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002. The Act was passed in 2002 but operated under its original title (Real Estate and Business Brokers Act) until December 1, 2023, when its full Phase 2 amendments came into force and the renaming took effect.

What is the difference between TRESA and REBBA?

TRESA replaced REBBA in stages from 2020 through April 2023. The substantive differences include designated representation (TRESA permits it, REBBA did not), self-represented parties (TRESA term, REBBA used "customer"), administrative monetary penalties (available under TRESA, not REBBA), and a restructured Code of Ethics. The same underlying statute was renamed; references to "REBBA 2002" in older materials map to TRESA today.

When did TRESA come into effect?

TRESA's Phase 1 amendments took effect October 1, 2020 (introducing Personal Real Estate Corporations). Phase 2, which included the rename from REBBA, the new representation framework, the Code of Ethics restructure, and administrative monetary penalties, came fully into force on December 1, 2023.

Who enforces TRESA in Ontario?

TRESA is enforced by the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO), the provincial regulator. RECO investigates consumer complaints, runs discipline panel hearings under the Code of Ethics, suspends or revokes registrations, and imposes administrative monetary penalties. The Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery oversees the legislation but does not handle individual enforcement.

Practice this topic

ExamAce covers TRESA's structure, the REBBA-to-TRESA transition, and the new representation framework in the Course 1 question bank, with current-cycle TRESA updates in the CE annual update bank.