ONTARIO REAL ESTATE • INFORMATION • NETWORKING
ICIWorld®, TRESA & RECO
Responsible Real Estate Networking in Ontario
ICIWorld® is an Information Listing Service (ILS) and professional real estate networking platform designed to help brokers and salespeople discover, share and connect around real estate opportunities while remaining responsible for their professional and regulatory obligations.
✔ An Important Distinction
ICIWorld does not replace TRESA, RECO requirements, representation agreements, required disclosures or brokerage policies. Ontario registrants using ICIWorld remain responsible for complying with the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002 (TRESA), its regulations, RECO requirements and their brokerage policies.
What Is TRESA?
The Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002 (TRESA) is Ontario’s consumer-protection legislation governing registered real estate brokerages, brokers and salespeople. It establishes requirements relating to representation, disclosure, professional conduct and other activities connected with trading in real estate.
🏢 Where ICIWorld Fits
Real estate professionals discover opportunities in many ways — conversations, networking, referrals, prospecting, existing clients, property owners, buyers, investors and other professionals.
Not every opportunity begins as a property already advertised on an MLS® system.
ICIWorld provides another information and networking channel. Members can communicate real estate Haves and Wants, search for potential matches and connect with other real estate professionals.
🔹 Haves + Wants = Opportunity Discovery
HAVE
Information about a real estate or business opportunity that may be available for sale, lease or another transaction, subject to the registrant having the authority and permissions required to communicate that information.
WANT
Information describing what a buyer, investor, tenant or other party is seeking, subject to applicable representation, confidentiality and consent requirements.
💡 Information Can Come Before a Transaction
An important part of real estate business development is discovering opportunities through conversations and professional networking.
However, under TRESA the definition of a “trade” is broad and includes acts, advertisements, conduct and negotiations directly or indirectly in furtherance of a real estate transaction.
For that reason, members should not assume that removing an address or identifying information automatically places an activity outside TRESA. Registrants should consider the facts of each situation, obtain appropriate authority and consent, follow their brokerage’s policies and seek guidance from their Broker of Record, RECO or legal counsel when necessary.
🔒 Confidentiality Matters
Ontario registrants have obligations concerning confidential client information. A registrant generally must not disclose confidential information of a client to a third party without the client’s written consent, except where disclosure is otherwise authorized or required by law.
ICIWorld members should therefore obtain all necessary authority and consent before publishing or communicating confidential client information.
✔ The RECO Information Guide
RECO requires Ontario real estate agents to provide and explain the RECO Information Guide before providing services or assistance to a buyer or seller.
RECO provides both residential and commercial versions of the Information Guide.
👥 Clients and Self-Represented Parties
TRESA introduced important rules concerning people who choose to participate in a transaction without becoming a client of a brokerage.
A person involved in a trade who is not a client of a brokerage may be a Self-Represented Party (SRP).
There are significant restrictions on the services, opinions and advice a registrant can provide to an SRP. Where permitted assistance is provided, specific disclosure requirements apply.
Members should understand the difference between providing general information, representing a client and dealing with a self-represented party.
🤝 Networking Does Not Replace Representation
ICIWorld can help people find each other.
It can help a broker discover that another professional has a buyer, seller, investor, tenant, landlord, property or business opportunity that may create a match.
But when the activity progresses into services, representation, advertising, negotiation or another activity connected with a trade, the registrant must follow all applicable TRESA, RECO and brokerage requirements.
ICIWorld helps create the connection. The registrant remains responsible for conducting the transaction properly.
✔ Good Practices When Using ICIWorld in Ontario
✔ Follow TRESA, its regulations and current RECO guidance.
✔ Follow your brokerage’s policies and instructions.
✔ Determine the nature of your relationship with the consumer.
✔ Provide and explain the RECO Information Guide when required.
✔ Follow the rules applicable to self-represented parties.
✔ Protect confidential client information.
✔ Obtain necessary authority and consent before communicating information.
✔ Document important instructions and permissions.
✔ Do not assume that withholding an address by itself determines whether an activity is regulated.
✔ When uncertain, consult your Broker of Record, RECO or qualified legal counsel.
ICIWORLD® INFORMATION LISTING SERVICE
Search • Connect • Do Business
ICIWorld helps real estate professionals discover opportunities and make connections through a global database of real estate Haves and Wants.
Important Notice
This page is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not legal advice, regulatory advice or a determination that any particular activity complies with TRESA or other applicable law. Legislation, regulations and RECO guidance may change. Ontario registrants should consult current legislation and RECO guidance, follow their brokerage policies and seek professional advice when appropriate.
Official Resources
RECO Information Guide
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RECO TRESA FAQs
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Ontario TRESA Legislation