A Victoria real estate agent was fined $200,000 and had his license suspended for six months for purchasing an affordable housing unit in the Vivid condominium building and subsequently renting it out, as reported in a consent order by the B.C. Financial Services Authority (BCFSA).
Jason Leslie acquired a unit in the Vivid building in downtown Victoria in 2021, despite not meeting the qualifications to do so, and proceeded to rent it out for over eight months. The Vivid was designated for below-market rate sales to residents who would occupy the units, with no provision for rentals.
In 2024, B.C. Housing accused several individuals, including Leslie, of purchasing properties at the Vivid while owning other high-value properties elsewhere.
According to the BCFSA consent agreement, Leslie purchased a 505-square-foot one-bedroom unit at the Vivid in February 2018. The development received a $53 million low-interest loan from the province to facilitate affordable home sales to low-income individuals.
Leslie took possession of the unit in May 2021 and rented it out the following month. B.C. Housing notified him in March 2022 that he was ineligible to own the unit after an audit.
Despite acting as an agent for three unit sales at Vivid, Leslie eventually sold his unit back to B.C. Housing in September 2022, along with the rental income and commissions earned.
The BCFSA determined that Leslie engaged in professional misconduct by purchasing the affordable housing unit without the intention of residing there. Consequently, his real estate license was suspended for six months, followed by 12 months of supervision under another broker after the suspension period.
CBC News attempted to contact Leslie for comment, but his office stated they were unsure of his availability for an interview.