Being the business owner, the licensee in charge, comes with lots of upsides. But flexibility to take more than a few days away at a time is not one of them.
We know the POA says we must ensure every registered staff member “is properly supervised and complies with the Act”. We are personally liable for every dollar in our trust accounts. Not easy if you’d like a month in the Canadian Rockies or island hopping in Greece! Why are we working so hard without some rewards?
It’s often forgotten but the Act does allow us to appoint a substitute licensee when we’re not in the office. For a break more than 30 days you need to apply to Office of Fair Trading and with either timeframe you just need a “suitable adult”. There’s rules on who that is and isn’t (no choosing cousin Gary who’s had some solvency challenges!) Of course OFT recommend you appoint another holder of a full real estate license.
Andrew Persijn of Carter Newell Lawyers points out, “Section 68 of the PO Act provides that the Chief Executive has discretion to appoint or refuse to appoint a substitute licensee in response to an application made in accordance with sections 66(3) or 67(4) of the PO Act.”
I was really fortunate to have some terrific senior members of my team to step up when I took holidays. I trusted them to lead the team, make trust account payments and keep me out of jail! I took 3-4 weeks away every 12 months. But many principals don’t have that luxury and the daily grind of our work can really start to bite by year’s end.
So real estate “locums” can be heaven sent! Holding a full real license, and with 40+ years of hands on agency experience, Peter Brewer is one who offers his service to agents craving a break. You’ll know Peter as Chair of the REIQ, but he also brings huge value to a number of Queensland agents every year as their substitute licensee.
Peter says it’s fundamental in this busy world to be fresh, relaxed and focused to ensure you and your real estate team are working at a premium level.
“Each year, as part of my own professional development, I spend a select amount of time actively working IN several Queensland real estate business. It keeps me relevant and fresh, and for the clients who take advantage of this rare service they reap the benefits of having a fresh, non-judgemental set of eyes working on and managing their business while they enjoy a well earned break.”
That third party locum, the “new face”, can bring real invigoration for your agency, often bringing a new skill set to the business, as well as ticking that compliance box for OFT. Peter’s worked with a number of agencies and agents bringing new ideas for their social media for example.
I spoke with an agent this morning who’s just sold his business after many decades as its leader. I asked what he had planned next: “I’ll write a book on work-life balance”, he laughed. Of course he was being ironic – us real estate agents are hopeless at it!
Approving your own leave has to be a priority!
If you’re ready for a more permanent holiday break, or change of pace, I’d love to have a confidential chat with you. Please call me on 0423 332 022.