What activities require a RECA Property Management licence?
- Advertising, listing, or marketing a rental property owned by someone else.
- Showing rental units to prospective tenants on behalf of an owner.
- Negotiating or executing a lease as agent for the owner.
- Collecting rent or holding security deposits on behalf of an owner.
- Coordinating maintenance or repairs and passing invoices through to the owner.
- Representing the owner at RTDRS hearings.
How to verify a Calgary property manager is licensed
Search the manager's name and brokerage on the RECA ProCheck public registry at procheck.reca.ca (or public.myreca.ca). Confirm the licence is active, includes property management (not just sales), and shows no disciplinary actions. UrbanLease's property management services are delivered through PREP Realty, a RECA-licensed Alberta brokerage in the Property Management category.
What happens if I hire an unlicensed property manager?
The manager is operating illegally and exposes you to real risk. Trust accounting protections do not apply, so any tenant deposits held by the unlicensed operator may not be recoverable if they fail. RECA can investigate and shut down unlicensed operators, which disrupts your rental. Your landlord insurance may not respond to certain claims if the property was managed by an unlicensed party. Always verify licensing before signing any management agreement.
Can I manage property for a family member without a licence?
Case-by-case. If no compensation is involved and the arrangement is truly informal, the licensing requirement generally does not apply. Any regular management activity for compensation triggers the licensing requirement even where the property owner is a family member. Consult RECA or an Alberta real estate lawyer for the specific facts.