Designated representation: who at the brokerage is on your side
Doorvia Guides · July 12, 2026
Ontario now allows a brokerage to designate specific agents to represent each client, changing how conflicts are handled.
Ontario brokerages may operate under designated representation, where named individual agents represent each client rather than the brokerage representing everyone. That reduces the situations where an entire office is conflicted because two of its agents have clients on opposite sides.
When both buyer and seller are represented by the same individual agent, that is multiple representation, and it requires written consent and restricts what the agent can disclose or advise.
Ask early which model the brokerage uses, and if multiple representation comes up, consider whether you are comfortable with an agent who cannot advocate for either side on price.
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