New RECO filing rules put brokerage finances under closer watch

When you hand over a real estate deposit, the brokerage handling it matters. Ontario’s real estate regulator has introduced another way to check brokerage finances and the management of trust funds.

What changed on October 1

The Real Estate Council of Ontario, known as RECO, opened its new annual financial filing process on October 1, 2026. The first submissions are due October 30, 2026. After that, filings are required within 90 days of a brokerage’s fiscal year end.

The filing includes financial statements, trading activity and trust account information. It also requires formal attestations from the Broker of Record. This is a brokerage responsibility, not a form that home buyers or sellers need to complete.

Why the regulator wants this information

RECO says consistent financial reporting helps it identify potential risks earlier and direct its oversight where it is needed. The filing works alongside its existing inspections and audits. It does not replace them.

What it means when you are buying or selling

This gives you more context about the work behind the transaction. Finding a home and negotiating an offer are the visible parts. Financial records and oversight matter too, especially when a brokerage is holding money.

Ask which brokerage will receive your deposit and get clear written payment instructions through a verified contact. If an email suddenly changes those instructions, confirm the change directly before sending money. Keep your payment confirmation and receipt with your transaction records.

A filing is not a guarantee

The new requirement is not a promise that every brokerage or transaction is risk free. This article also does not establish whether any particular brokerage has filed or met every requirement.

If you have a concern about money already paid, speak with the brokerage’s Broker of Record and your lawyer about your specific situation. For current information about the filing process, use RECO’s own resources below.

Sources: RECO, Enhancing Financial Oversight to Protect Ontario Consumers, October 1, 2026; RECO annual financial filing resources.

Cover photo: Aaron Lefler on Unsplash, used under the Unsplash License. Illustrative calculator and notes, not a brokerage’s financial records.