OREA is taking the position – and RAHB agrees – that all REALTORS® should stop face-to-face business, including open houses, in-person showings, and maintaining agents and public office hours.

We recognize that RAHB cannot police this; however RAHB can say don’t undertake in-person activities.  The message we have received from OREA is that if REALTORS® don’t act responsibly, there is great potential the provincial government will take away the “essential workplace” designation for real estate. If this happens, then REALTORS®, as well as buyers and sellers, will not a have a choice.

We are relying on members to do the right thing for their communities.  We all have to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19, and help to maintain the health of our communities.

In an effort to keep members informed of RAHB’s office operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are providing regular updates.

Please note, that our office operational status has changed:

RAHB Status Update:

• Due to the progression of COVID-19 throughout Ontario, and based on guidance from government and public health authorities, we have changed our operational status.
• As of Thursday, March 19, the physical RAHB office is closed, with all staff working remotely during our regular business hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• A virtual emergency meeting of the RAHB Board of Directors is taking place early next week to discuss financial measures RAHB can take to support members during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please know that your Board of Directors is committed to assisting members and doing everything it can to help members get through these unprecedented times.

What Does This Mean for RAHB Members?

• The MLS® Help Desk is open during regular business hours. You can reach us at 905-667-4650 or [email protected].
• We are accepting general calls through our regular business number at 905.529.8101.  If you have any questions, please call during regular business hours or leave a message; we will assist you in any way we can.
• All in-person member meetings, events and education of any kind are postponed or will be conducted via teleconference.
• The Realty Shoppe is closed for in-person shopping and in-person account payments; however, we are taking orders via phone and e-mail, which will be fulfilled once the office reopens.  You can reach us at 905-529-5979 or [email protected].
• Online payments are highly encouraged; cheque payments may be dropped off in the RAHB mailbox, however processing of these payments may be delayed; cash payments are not permitted.
• RealTrack service is not accessible.
• OREA testing at the RAHB office has been cancelled until further notice.

For Information/Updates on RAHB’s business operations:
For updated information on COVID-19 as it relates to RAHB, please visit our blog page at  https://blog.rahb.ca/coronoavirus-covid-19-information/. We will keep members informed as further decisions about RAHB business operations are made.

Sincerely,

Carol Ann Burrell, CEO
REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington

Video Message From RAHB President Kathy Della-Nebbia

Public Health Recommendations:
For information on COVID-19 – including current state, vulnerable populations, additional resources, etc. – please visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html.

Please be diligent in keeping up-to-date and following the recommendations and guidance of our health officials and governments.

Recommendations for RAHB REALTORS®:
REALTORS® can be particularly vulnerable to sickness, as you are in constant contact with a variety of different clients and potential clients. A single open house can equal hundreds of interactions. While it is within the purview of your brokerage to make any final decisions, it is strongly recommended that you consider the following advice:

• Cancel, reschedule and/or limit showings and open houses, especially if the occupants of the home are ill.
• If showings and open houses proceed:
  • Limit the use of washrooms in the home.
  • Have cautionary signage and messages at the entrance of each property.
  • Ask potential open house attendees to not attend if they are sick.
  • Have hand sanitizer available for attendees of open houses for their and your protection.
  • Limit touching physical items throughout a home during open houses and showings.
  • Encourage homeowners to thoroughly clean their homes with disinfectant after showings and open houses.
  • Ask attendees to e-mail you their contact information, as opposed to writing it down at the open house to limit sharing of pens, etc.
  • Ask attendees of showings or open houses to notify you if they become ill within two weeks of the open house or showing.
  • If an attendee becomes sick or is diagnosed with COVID-19, be sure to communicate this with the homeowner, other open house or showing attendees, their REALTORS® and RAHB.
• Refrain from greeting others with handshakes or hugs.
• Encourage fellow REALTORS® to provide information digitally.
• Be sure to regularly sanitize your phone, tablet, or any other digital devices you use.
• Avoid sharing items such as pens, paper, phones, tablets, etc.
• If you are over the age of 65, severely limit your interactions with others, and stay home.

Information related to the efforts to mitigate the outbreak of COVID-19 is constantly evolving. First and foremost, we recommend REALTOR^® members follow the guidelines and precautions set by Canada’s public health authorities. See Health Canada’s website for comprehensive coverage.

In ongoing discussions with government officials from various departments and agencies, we continue to emphasize the unique challenges facing REALTORS^® as economic measures to support self-employed Canadians and small businesses are considered. The result of these advocacy efforts since the emergence of COVID-19 are captured below.

• Government introduced the Emergency Care Benefit, providing up to $900 bi-weekly for up to 15 weeks, to workers, including the self-employed, who are quarantined or sick with COVID-19, as well as those who are taking care of a family member who is sick with COVID-19, but do not qualify for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits. Application for the Benefit will be available in April 2020 through the Canada Revenue Agency My Account secure portal, My Service Canada Account, or through an automated application process by telephone.

• Also announced was the Emergency Support Benefit, which will provide up to $5 billion in support to workers who are not eligible for EI and who are facing unemployment. This will be available to Canadians who are self-employed; more details will be provided in the coming days.

• Effective March 16, the Bank of Canada has lowered its target for the overnight rate by 50 basis points to ¾ percent as a proactive measure taken to counter negative shocks to Canada’s economy. In the interest of providing financial institutions with the confidence to continue lending to one another, as well as to businesses and consumers, the Bank of Canada will also be purchasing approximately $500 million in mortgage bonds per week, while the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation will acquire up to $50 billion of insured mortgage pools.

• For small businesses, government will provide a temporary wage subsidy for a period of three months, equal to 10% of remuneration paid during that period, up to a maximum subsidy of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer. The subsidy is available to corporations eligible for the small business deduction, as well as non-profit organizations and charities.

• Businesses will also be allowed to defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing between now and September 2020. This applies to tax balances due, as well as instalments, under Part I of the Income Tax Act. No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during this period.

• Regarding the stress test, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions is suspending all consultations on regulatory matters, including on the proposed new Benchmark Rate for the minimum qualifying rate for uninsured mortgages. Government is also suspending the coming into force of the new Benchmark Rate for the minimum qualifying rate for insured mortgages until further notice.

The full list of measures announced by the government today is available here. It is expected the House of Commons will be recalled next week to pass the emergency economic measures.

While all the details of the various programs announced today are not yet available, the Governor of the Bank of Canada concluded today’s press conference with the assurance that “if people need the support, they will get it.” We will continue to monitor the evolution of these programs and continue to advocate on behalf of REALTORS^®.

Canada’s six largest banks also announced financial relief for Canadians impacted by the economic consequences of COVID-19, including up to a six-month payment deferral for mortgages and the opportunity for relief on other credit products.

If you have any questions, our Government Relations team remains available to members and board and association staff.