In addition to focusing on consumer protection through the licensure, regulation, and education of real estate licensees, DRE also places great emphasis on ensuring that consumers, licensees, and others in the industry are protected from those who practice without a license. The recent outcomes of two cases demonstrate DRE’s commitment to this effort.
Unlicensed Property Manager Barred from Real Estate Activity for Three Years
Sze Yu “Danny” Ma had been conducting property management activities, including collecting rents, for over 30 properties within a retirement community in the Sacramento area without a real estate license.
Ma’s actions were aggravated by a prior Order to Desist and Refrain filed by DRE (then, CalBRE) in 2017 for conducting property management without a real estate license in the same retirement community.
On March 4, 2021, DRE filed an Order to Desist and Refrain against Ma, and issued him 32 citations with fines amounting to $80,000, for conducting unlicensed property management activities. Effective November 2, 2021, Ma has been barred for three years by DRE from holding any employment or management position in a real estate business. The order also prohibits him from participating in any real estate-related activity of a finance lender, bank, escrow company, or title company (B&P Code section 10087).
DRE will continue to use all available tools and resources, including working with law enforcement partners, to help protect consumers from unscrupulous, unlicensed actors. If you encounter any unlicensed activity, please report it to DRE via our online complaint system.
