Real estate agent to face disciplinary hearing

A Winnipeg real estate agent will appear before a disciplinary hearing next month for allegedly moving two families into a condemned home.

The Manitoba Securities Commission released a statement of allegations on Wednesday. It accuses Rahim Mirza of deceptive dealing and providing third-party property management services, despite not being registered to do so.

The statement claims his company — Mirza Properties — continued to rent a property it owned on Beverley Street, despite it being declared “unfit for human habitation” and after previous tenants were ordered to leave.

“The Beverley property was placarded (condemned) in September 2023 by public health inspectors for Manitoba Health,” the statement says.

“However, prior to the required repairs, inspections and subsequent clearance from the health department being completed, the placards were removed, and Mirza Properties had moved two new families into the Beverley property. These families were subsequently relocated by social services.”

The commission says that amounted to “conduct unbecoming a registrant” and called a hearing to determine whether it should suspend, cancel or impose conditions on Mirza’s real estate licence.

“My comment is that these allegations are unproven and based on one-sided information,” Mirza told the Free Press Thursday.

“As a private landlord and housing developer, I have worked with several community organizations in our efforts to provide an option to low-income citizens, and everyday folks, who may struggle with getting approved for housing. There are always two sides to a story, and that is certainly the case here.”

Mirza said the property at the root of the allegation had been occupied by “a family with strong gang affiliation who terrorized their neighbours and caused tens of thousands in property damage.”

“Not only did we spend a considerable amount of time, money and energy in beautifying and renovating this property, we did so for the benefit of neighbours and other area residents as well,” he said.

The securities commission says it also has evidence Mirza Properties collected and dispersed hundreds of thousands in rental income for a variety of Winnipeg properties over several years.

It claims the company intentionally misrepresented its authority to provide third-party management services, omitted required disclosures, made false statements and profited “through means contrary to law or dishonest dealing.”

“(Mirza) had previously inquired if he could conduct third-party property management and was advised by the registrar that he was not allowed to,” the commission’s statement says.

In another case, Mirza allegedly purchased a property during an estate sale in August 2020, but did not disclose he was a registered real estate agent or identify his brokerage on the offer to purchase.

The Jan. 14 hearing will mark the second time Mirza has appeared before the commission; he was suspended and ordered to pay $6,000 for failing to disclose accurate information about foundation issues at a condo he sold in 2018.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca