News Bulletin - April 3, 2020

A Message from the Office of Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer of Health
What to Do if Someone is Not Complying with Government Directives
Brokerage Declarations
Operational Updates

A Message from the Office of Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer of Health
The Commission reached out to the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Strang, asking what advice they would convey to the real estate industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was recommended that licensees use the self-assessment tool, and review and comply with the following information:

• Social distancing, travelling in separate vehicles and not showing houses of those in self-isolation.
• Frequent hand hygiene. Real estate licensees and buyers will be going into homes where the risk may be unknown. It is extremely important for these individuals to touch as little as possible during the viewings and practice hand hygiene before entering and after leaving the premise.
• Practice cough etiquette (cough into your sleeve or a tissue and discard the tissue immediately)
• Social distance – maintain a 2 metre/6 foot distance between the real estate licensee and buyer/seller at all times
• Those in self-isolation cannot have their house shown to potential buyers as visitors are not allowed and they are not permitted to leave their home during their isolation period. If the real estate licensee themselves is in self-isolation they will not be able to conduct viewings. If the buyer is in self-isolation they are not able to leave their house and cannot view properties at this time. If the licensee or buyer are experiencing flu-like symptoms, they should not conduct business.
• Frequent environmental cleaning. If real estate licensees are required to have a face-to-face meeting, ensure frequent environmental cleaning is occurring (pay extra attention to high-tough surfaces like door handles, arms of chairs, pens, etc).
• For continually updated information, go to www.novascotia.ca/coronavirus for more information.

What to Do if Someone is Not Complying with Government Directives
Law enforcement enforces orders under the Emergency Management Act and Health Protection Act. If you are aware of someone not following provincial direction, have a conversation with them first. If a call to police is needed, please call a non-emergency number for the police that serve your community. Do not call 911.

Brokerage Declarations
It is our understanding that some brokerages are generating their own declarations. All brokerage declarations surrounding the COVID-19 crisis must coincide with provincial and regulatory standards (Direction from the Health Authority, Real Estate Trading Act, Commission Bylaw and Commission Policies). If you are providing information about your client to other parties, you must have your client’s consent and it is recommended to obtain this consent in writing*.

*written consent can be in the form of, but is not limited to, an email, fax, text or letter.

Operational Updates

• The Commission’s office is closed until further notice and staff are working remotely.
• Exams have been postponed until further notice
• Lawyers are essential to the real estate trading process. Learn how lawyers have been directed by their regulator on how to handle their client communication, virtual documentation, and trust accounts and banking here.

Contact Us
If you have any questions during the office closure, contact the Commission staff by email or call the main office line and direct your voicemail to the appropriate staff member. Voicemails will be monitored using our voicemail to email automated system.
Brad Chisholm, Registrar, Ext. 305, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Carolin MacDonald, Compliance Manager, Ext. 303, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cathy Campbell, Accountant, Ext. 305, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Courtney LeBlanc, Compliance Investigator, Ext. 303, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Danielle Driscoll, Communications Officer, Ext. 303, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Jennifer Law, Auditor, Ext. 308, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Joanie Boyd, Auditor, Ext. 308, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Pam Crane, Licensing Officer, Ext. 304, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Peggy Kell, Communications & Technology Officer, Ext. 303, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.