Is the real-estate agent that you hired doing their job properly? If you don’t actually know what real-estate agents must do in Quebec, you can’t answer this question.
In this article we will explain:
- What does a real-estate broker do?
- What a realtor must legally do in Quebec
- What services a good realtor will offer
- How do realtors can protect you
- Final remarks
What does a real-estate broker do?
In Quebec, there are three parts to a realtors role:
- The legal role: what realtors must legally do in Quebec
- The service role: the practical day to day things that you see a real-estate agent do
- The protective role: advice and buyer / seller insurance policies
Let’s take a look at what each of these mean.
What a realtor must legally do in Quebec
The legal role defines what a real-estate agent must do and what they must not do by law. For instance, in Quebec, the realtor has a duty to inform and advise you of the facts of the transaction. This means that the realtor can explain contracts to you, verify the accuracy of information in a transaction, or highlight risks and relevant factors about the property. However, they must not give legal advice, tell you where you can or cannot buy, or pressure you into a decision.
In Quebec, the OACIQ (the provincial real-estate regulator), sets and enforces all rules about what a realtor can and cannot do. These include the following:
- Inform and verify
- Act with transparency
- Disclose
- Be loyal to you
- Advise you properly
- Be available
- Use the OACIQ forms
Inform and verify
A real estate agent must verify all material information about the transaction and share it with you. For example, if the seller says the metal roof has a lifetime guarantee, your agent must confirm whether it actually applies. They also check taxes, permits, leases, easements, and other factors that could affect the property or the deal.
Act with transparency
Your agent must act openly and honestly, keeping you informed of anything that could materially impact the transaction. For example, they must disclose commission-sharing arrangements or prior knowledge of issues with the property.
Disclose
Your relator must to disclose any conflicts of interest. This includes situations where the broker already represents another party in the transaction (for example the broker represents both the buyer and the seller) or receives referral benefits from inspectors, mortgage brokers, or other professionals.
Be loyal to you
The agent must act in your best interest at all times. For buyers, this means showing all properties that meet your criteria and explaining if they choose not to present certain listings. For sellers, it means promoting your property, negotiating the best price, and protecting you from unnecessary risks.
Advise you properly
Realtors provide professional guidance based on facts and your goals. This can include recommending inspections or specialists (e.g., structural, environmental, septic, pyrite), alerting you to local development projects or zoning rules that could affect property value, or advising on repairs, staging, and pricing.
To adequately price a property and advise on repairs, the broker must complete a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) and physically visit the property. Moreover, the broker must advise you to put adequate protection in the promise to purchase. This includes things like zoning verification.
Be available
A real estate agent must be reachable and responsive throughout the transaction. They answer questions, provide updates, and help you meet deadlines. This includes promptly returning calls or emails and scheduling property visits or meetings as needed.
Use the OACIQ Forms
Your realtor must use official OACIQ forms for contracts, offers, and notices. This ensures the transaction complies with Quebec law and protects both parties. Examples include the promise to purchase, addenda, and regulatory disclosure forms.
The service role: What does a real-estate broker do?
The service role refers to the practical day to day work that a realtor performs during a transaction. Each realtor will offer a slightly different set of services (often at a different price points). The list below shows the most common services offered by good buyer agents vs seller agents. These are the high level things that realtors do however, the quality of work differs a lot from agent to agent.
| Buyer agents | Seller agents |
| Attend property visits to assess condition, features, and suitability | Complete the Seller’s Declaration and gather supporting documents (tax bills, utility bills, renovation receipts, etc.) |
| Run a comparative market analysis before making an offer | Run a comparative market analysis before listing |
| Review key property documents (certificate of location, seller’s declaration, taxes, utilities) | Market your home (staging, photos, create online MLS listing) |
| Prepare and complete documents (promise to purchase, addenda, correspondence) | Sell your home (attend open house and private viewings) |
| Negotiate with the seller | Follow up with prospective buyers (feedback, questions, interest) |
| Negotiate with prospective buyers |
How do real-estate brokers protect you
Finally, realtors provide a protective role for their clients in two main ways: client insurance policies and carry professional liability insurance.
Many brokers also carry insurance policies to protect their clients. For example, agents at Royal Le Plage offer latent defect insurance, which covers unforeseen issues that may arise after closing. However, you should review the policy terms and understand how to use it before making decisions based on this coverage.
Each broker must maintain professional liability insurance to protect clients in case they commit a fault, error, or omission during a transaction. This means that clients can seek compensation if the broker makes a mistake, provides incorrect information, or fails to fulfill their duties, helping to protect buyers and sellers from financial loss.
Final thoughts
In Quebec, licensed real estate agents guide you through buying or selling property. The OACIQ sets the rules for how agents engage with their clients. Many real-estate agents carry insurance to protect clients against mistakes or hidden defects.
Although most agents offer some combination of these services, the quality of work can vary widely. The work required also depends on the type of property and its location. For example, a Quebec agent should know when to recommend specialists for inspections or testing, such as septic, environmental, or structural experts, and be aware of local development projects or municipal plans that could affect property values.
Your brokerage contract outlines the exact scope of services and responsibilities, whether you sign an exclusive buyer agreement or an exclusive/non-exclusive seller agreement.
Read more about realtors in Quebec
- How much commission does your realtor make in Quebec (2026)
- How to Choose a Real Estate Agent in Montreal (2026)
- How to sell a house without a real-estate agent in Montreal? (2026)
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