HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5352

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed House:

April 9, 2013

Title: An act relating to the real estate agency relationship.

Brief Description: Clarifying the terminology and duties of the real estate agency relationship law to be consistent with other existing laws.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Senators Holmquist Newbry, Conway and Hewitt).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Business & Financial Services: 3/20/13 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 4/9/13, 93-0.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Modifies a number of definitions.

  • Provides the statutory duties required in the real estate brokerage relationship supersede all, not just inconsistent, common law fiduciary duties owed by a principal to an agent.

  • Makes a number of technical changes.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SERVICES

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives Kirby, Chair; Ryu, Vice Chair; Parker, Ranking Minority Member; Vick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Blake, Chandler, Habib, Hawkins, Hudgins, Hurst, Kochmar, MacEwen, Santos and Stanford.

Staff: Jon Hedegard (786-7127).

Background:

The Department of Licensing (DOL) is responsible for the licensing required for real estate transactions.

Real Estate Brokers and Managing Brokers.

Chapter 18.85 RCW addresses the licensing of the persons and entities that perform real estate services. This chapter was overhauled in 2008 and included changes in terminology. The licensing of real estate brokers, managing brokers, designated brokers, and real estate firms replaced the previous licensing structure of real estate brokers, associate real estate brokers, and real estate salespersons.

Real Estate Brokerage Agency Relationships.

Chapter 18.86 RCW addresses the real estate brokerage relationships. Chapter 18.86 RCW defines a licensee as a real estate broker, associate real estate broker, or real estate salesperson. Agency is a consensual relationship between two persons where one (the principal) empowers the other (the agent) to act, and the agent acts based on that authority. Agency relationships can be created expressly in writing, or by words or conduct.

Until 1996 the duties owed by a real estate broker or sales agent to a buyer, seller, landlord, or tenant were based on the common law of agency. Conduct that determined if an agency relationship in real estate existed included paying a commission to the agent. Duties owed by an agent to a principal in a real estate transaction generally included: loyalty, obedience, disclosure, confidentiality, reasonable care and diligence, and accounting. The scope of those duties evolved through the courts.

In 1996 the common law fiduciary duties owed by an agent were changed by the passage of the new chapter on real estate brokerage relationships. A number of duties concerning the relationship of an agent to the principal (buyer or seller, landlord or tenant) are set forth in statute. These statutory duties specifically supersede the common law duties applied to real estate licensees to the extent that they are inconsistent.

An agent may represent only the buyer or the seller unless otherwise agreed in writing. Absent an agreement, the agent represents the buyer. A pamphlet describing the statutory duties must be provided to all parties by the real estate agent before:

General Duties of a Licensee.

Certain duties apply to licensees generally when performing real estate brokerage services including the duty to:

These duties cannot be waived.

Duties of an Agent.

An agent is a licensee who has an agency relationship with a buyer or seller. A licensee may represent both the buyer and the seller if all parties agree in writing. The consent to a dual agency must include the terms of compensation. Certain duties apply between an agent and a seller, an agent and a buyer, and in a dual agency relationship, including the duty to:

These duties cannot be waived. The only duty that can be waived is the duty to make a good faith and continuous effort to seek a buyer for a seller or a seller for a buyer.

It is not a breach of duty for a seller's agent to show or list competing properties. It is not a breach of duty for a buyer's agent to show properties to competing buyers. An agent need not conduct an independent investigation of the property or of either party's financial condition. An agent has no duty to verify any information the agent reasonably believes to be reliable.

Duration of the Agency Relationship.

The agency relationship begins when a licensee performs brokerage services. The relationship continues until the licensee completes the services, the agreed upon period of service is ended, notice of termination by one party, or the parties agree to termination. Once the brokerage relationship is terminated, an agent is obligated to account for all moneys and property received and to keep appropriate information confidential.

Compensation.

Payment of compensation is not a factor in determining the existence of an agency relationship. A broker may be paid by any party to the transaction and may be paid by more than one party if the parties agree. A buyer's agent may be paid based on the purchase price without breaching any duty owed to the buyer.

Vicarious Liability.

A principal (a buyer or seller) is liable for the actions of the agent (a real estate licensee) only if the principal participated in or authorized the act, or the principal benefitted from the act and a court determines that no judgment could be enforced against the agent or a subagent. A licensee agent is not liable for the acts of a subagent unless the licensee participated in or authorized the act.

Imputed Knowledge.

There is no presumption of knowledge on the part of the principal of facts known by the agent or subagent of the principal.

Sanctions.

The Director of the DOL may impose sanctions on a licensee for violation of the laws governing real estate brokerage relationships.

Summary of Bill:

A number of changes are made to definitions in chapter 18.86 RCW to conform to the definitions in chapter 18.85 RCW. Broker is defined to include broker, managing broker, and designated broker, as those terms are defined in chapter 18.85 RCW. A definition of real estate firm (firm) is added. Firm means a business entity licensed by the DOL to conduct real estate brokerage services in this state. The definition of licensee is struck. Language changes are made throughout the act to conform to the changes in definitions.

The duties listed in chapter 18.86 RCW are statutory duties, not fiduciary duties. Chapter 18.86 RCW supersedes all, not just inconsistent, common law fiduciary duties owed by a principal to an agent.

The provisions setting forth the formatting of the pamphlet and briefly summarizing the required subjects in the pamphlet are modified to reflect the changes in this act and the 2012 statutory addition of the duty of a firm representing the seller of owner-occupied real property in a short sale.

A citation is corrected. Numerous language changes are made.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill is exactly the same as Substitute House Bill 1487 which passed the Business & Financial Services Committee and the House of Representatives unanimously. The bill updates and clarifies the regulatory framework for mortgage brokers.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Bob Mitchell, Washington Association of Realtors.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.