Tasks to accomplish for a broker: secretary vs assistant

What are the tasks that a real estate broker’s secretary (non-licence holder) can do compared to those of a real estate broker’s assistant (licence holder)?

• Can he or she complete and have brokerage forms signed, organize open houses or make telephone solicitations?
• Do the same rules apply to a mortgage broker’s secretary or assistant?
• Can the broker himself pay the salary of his secretary or assistant?

In a nutshell, a broker who needs additional help to conduct telephone solicitation, participate in open houses or perform any other brokerage transaction must necessarily enlist the services of a licence holder. However, a broker who wants help with administrative tasks needs a secretary to perform office work such as confirming an appointment, filing or putting signs. In addition, it should be noted that only an agency can employ or authorize an individual holding a broker’s licence to act on its behalf.

For more information, here are some of the resources available to you:

• When the real estate broker is an employer
• A suspended or revoked licence bars the holder from practicing
• Telephone solicitation rules