Sarah, a property manager in Vancouver, is approached by a prospective tenant who offers to pay an additional $500 'holding fee' directly to Sarah in cash to ensure their application is moved to the top of the list for a highly sought-after rental unit. What must Sarah do in this situation?

Question: Sarah, a property manager in Vancouver, is approached by a prospective tenant who offers to pay an additional $500 'holding fee' directly to Sarah in cash to ensure their application is moved to the top of the list for a highly sought-after rental unit. What must Sarah do in this situation?

Answer options: ✅ Refuse the payment and inform the tenant that all applications are processed fairly according to landlord policy.

• Accept the payment and deposit it into the owner's trust account, noting it as a 'holding fee'.
• Accept the payment and keep it as a personal 'finder's fee' for her extra effort.
• Accept the payment and use it to cover marketing costs for the property.

Correct answer: Refuse the payment and inform the tenant that all applications are processed fairly according to landlord policy.

Explanation: Accepting such a payment would be unethical and potentially illegal, as it constitutes a benefit received outside the scope of her professional duties and undermines fair application processing. Property managers must act in the best interest of their clients and all prospective tenants.