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Ethics ComplianceHonestyNSWEASY

To hurry a hesitant buyer, a NSW selling agent says another party has already offered more, although no such offer exists. How do the rules of conduct treat this?

Correct Answer

B) It breaches the rule against misleading or deceiving a party in negotiations.

Rule 3 of Schedule 1 to the Property and Stock Agents Regulation 2022 requires an agent to act honestly, fairly and professionally with all parties in a transaction and not to mislead or deceive a party in negotiations or a transaction. Inventing a competing offer deceives the buyer and is a breach, whatever it does for the vendor.

Answer Options
A
It is permitted, because the agent's duty of honesty is owed only to the vendor client.
B
It breaches the rule against misleading or deceiving a party in negotiations.
C
It is permitted, provided the tactic produces a higher price for the vendor client.
D
It breaches only the Australian Consumer Law, not the NSW rules of conduct.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Inventing an offer misleads the buyer in negotiations, which rule 3 of Schedule 1 prohibits.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

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