RE03R08: Real Estate Laws and Regulations for Owners and Managers
I. Broker as responsible person
A. Licensing, Reporting and Posting
B. Escrow duties (254CMR3.00)
1. Holding funds
a. Commingling
b. Conversion/Legality
c. Nonsufficient funds; dishonored check
2. Interest and non-interest bearing accounts
C. Maintaining Records
1. Sales transactions and rental transactions
2. Current licenses visually displayed
3. Specific forms
D. Legal Responsibility and Liability
1. Agency
2. Consumer protection statute 93A
3. Fair housing
a. Fair housing poster
4.ShermanAnti-trust Act
5. Preparation and obligations to close a sales transaction
6. Environmental issues
E. Insurance/Bond Coverage/Purpose
F. Legal Counsel
II. Employees vs. Independent Contractors
A. Independent Contractor
1. Current real estate license
2. Written contract; salespersons will not be treated as employee
3. At least 90% of income as a licensee must be on sales production
B. Hiring/Termination
C. Real estate assistants
1. Licensed or non-licensed
2. Compensation
3. Agency responsibility
III. Listing agreement – Property owner
A. Exclusive Right to Sell listing
B. Exclusive Agency listing
C. Open listing
D. Net listing
E. Option listing
IV. Buyer Agreements
A. Exclusive Buyer Agency agreement
B. Exclusive Agency Buyer Agency agreement
C. Open Buyer Agency agreement
V. Compensation
A. Commission
B. Referral fees
C. Fee for services arrangement
VI. Inactive Licensees/Referrals
A. Definition of active license
B. Definition of inactive license
C. Referral Fees
VII. Agency
A. Single Agency
B. Dual Agency; disclosed/undisclosed
1. Dual agency – Dual agent
C. Designated Agency
D. Sub-Agency
E. Facilitator/Non-Agency
VIII. Forms
A. Mandatory
B. Non-Mandatory
IX. Apartment Rentals (254CMR7.00)
A. Notice to prospective tenants
B. Record maintenance and inspection
C. Fees for services
X. Promotional sale of out of state; Real Property (254CMR6.00)
XI. Business Entities and Insurance Requirements
A. Broker of Record
1. Corporation
2. Society
3. Association
4. Partnership
5. Limited Liability Partnership
6. Limited Liability Company
XII. Real Estate Brokerage
A. Tristam’s Landing
B. Procuring Cause
C. Fax’s, Emails, Websites and “Do not call” Registry
D. House inspectors Brochure
E. Lead Paint Forms
F. Conversion of rental units to condos
G. Permits
H. Advertising Requirements
I. Businesses excluding real estate
J. Reciprocating in other states
K. Vicarious liability
