Under what circumstances can a real estate agent represent both parties in a transaction without written consent?
Correct Answer
A) Under no circumstances; written consent is always required
Canadian real estate regulations require written informed consent from both parties before an agent can act in dual agency. This protects both parties by ensuring they understand the implications of shared representation and consent to the arrangement.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Option A is correct because Canadian real estate legislation across all provinces requires written informed consent before establishing dual agency relationships. This is mandated under provincial acts like TRESA (Ontario), RESA (Alberta), and similar legislation in other provinces. The requirement is absolute with no exceptions for transaction value, family relationships, or verbal agreements. Written consent ensures both parties understand the implications of shared representation and protects them from potential conflicts of interest inherent in dual agency arrangements.
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