Real estate agent accused of running unlicenced business out of Newport UPS store keeps licence
A real estate agent accused of using strata units as short-term rentals will not have his licence suspended, despite an application by the B.C. Financial Services Authority.
Realtor Matthew Kuras is facing accusations of professional misconduct. In June 2024, Kuras became the owner of Metrovan Rent Disbursement Ltd., which was not licensed. The company’s mailing and delivery address was the UPS store on Newport Drive.
In June 2025, Kuras was hit with a $27,000 penalty for failing to provide information to investigators. He was later ordered to provide bank statements.
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In November, Kuras provided: “none of the banking information requested,” according to investigators.
Generally, a superintendent can suspend a licence to protect the public when there’s reasonable grounds to conclude the real estate agent committed professional misconduct.
However, hearing officer Gareth Reeves concluded this case didn’t meet that threshold.
“The record before me establishes reasonable grounds to conclude that Mr. Kuras has committed professional misconduct or conduct unbecoming,” Reeves wrote. “It appears Mr. Kuras has no intention of complying with his obligations to produce documents any time soon.”
However, Reeves wasn’t persuaded by BCFSA’s argument that Kuras’ conduct “undermines the public’s confidence” in the regulation of the real estate industry.
The financial authority didn’t prove there is “ongoing harm” or substantial risk to the public, Reeves wrote.
There may be harm to public interest and confidence in the real estate industry, Reeves acknowledged.
“I do not believe that that harm is sufficient to warrant suspending Mr. Kuras without notice,” Reeves wrote.
An investigator described spending a lot of time and work on the case.
While there is frustration among investigators, the superintendent can bear that frustration, “pending a discipline hearing brought with appropriate expediency,” the hearing officer concluded.
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