(1)
Endeavors of staff. Except as may be otherwise provided for a complaint alleging an unfair practice in a real estate transaction, the task of the commission is to endeavor to eliminate the unfair practice through agreement with the respondent. The extent of effort to be expended toward this end will depend on the likelihood that agreement on mutually acceptable terms can be reached. If, for example, it is apparent from an exchange of letters that agreement cannot be reached, it is not necessary to hold a conference. If a respondent has been afforded a reasonable opportunity to negotiate, that is sufficient to satisfy the statutory requirements pertaining to conciliation of a complaint brought under chapter
49.60 RCW and this chapter.
(2) Reopening conciliation. The making and service of a finding that no agreement can be reached does not preclude renewing negotiations or reaching an agreement at a later time. The finding that no agreement can be reached is not affected by a renewal of negotiations, but it may be superseded by any subsequent agreement which resolves the unfair practices at issue in the complaint filed with the commission.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
49.60.120(3) and
49.60.240. WSR 96-13-045, § 162-08-104, filed 6/13/96, effective 7/14/96; Order 35, § 162-08-104, filed 9/2/77.]