Professional Conduct & Ethics

Under section 121 of the Real Estate Agents Act 2008, what must appear on every advertisement an agent publishes?

When must a seller be given the REA-approved guide about residential agency agreements?

A real estate agent discovers that a property they are marketing has a building consent issue that the vendor is unaware of. What is the agent's obligation under the REA Code?

According to the REA Code of Professional Conduct and Client Care, what is the primary duty of a real estate licensee?

When can a licensee accept commission or other benefits from more than one party to a transaction?

A client complains to an agency about its salesperson, and the agency's in-house procedure finds the complaint justified. What is the best response?

Which body has the authority to investigate complaints against real estate licensees in New Zealand?

When can a complaint about a real estate licensee's conduct be made to the Real Estate Authority?

A salesperson receives a complaint that has been referred to the Complaints Assessment Committee. What happens during this stage of the process?

During a complaint investigation, what is a licensee's obligation regarding cooperation with the Real Estate Authority?

A client complains that their real estate agent failed to disclose a known defect in the property. Who has the authority to investigate this complaint under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008?

On which ground can a complaint to the Real Estate Authority be closed without an inquiry?

Who can make a complaint about a real estate licensee's conduct?

Which of the following would breach the Client Care Rules on client confidentiality?

A potential purchaser asks a licensee about the vendor's motivation for selling. The vendor has told the licensee confidentially that they are facing financial difficulties. How should the licensee respond?

A licensee receives confidential information about their client's financial difficulties. When can this information be disclosed to third parties?

A licensee receives confidential information about their client's urgent financial situation that could affect negotiation strategy. The licensee later represents a buyer interested in the same property. How should they handle this situation?

An agent receives two written offers on the same property at the same time: one from the agent's personal friend at $50,000 below the asking price, and one from an unknown buyer at the asking price. The agent presents only the friend's offer. Under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008, this most likely amounts to:

When must a licensee disclose a potential conflict of interest to their client?

A licensee becomes aware of a conflict of interest in a transaction they are handling. What should they do?

What happens if a licensee fails to comply with a determination made by the Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal?

An individual licensee is found guilty of serious misconduct. What is the most severe combination of licence and fine orders the Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal can make?

A licensee keeps working while a complaint against them goes to the Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal. If misconduct is proved, what can the Tribunal do?

A Complaints Assessment Committee decides to take no further action on a complaint about Sarah, a salesperson. What can the complainant do next?

What is the role of the Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal in the complaints process?

Which body can suspend or cancel a real estate licence as a penalty after a misconduct charge is proved?

What constitutes 'unsatisfactory conduct' under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008?

Which body has the authority to suspend or cancel a real estate licence?

Which of the following situations would most likely constitute misconduct rather than unsatisfactory conduct?

Sarah, a licensed salesperson, discovers that a property she is marketing has a leaky roof that the vendor has not disclosed. According to the REA Code, what should Sarah do?

A licensee discovers that a property they are marketing has a significant building defect that the vendor has not disclosed. What should the licensee do according to the REA Code?

A client asks their real estate agent to not disclose a known flooding issue to potential buyers. What should the agent do?

A buyer's agent learns that their client is planning to purchase a property for significantly below market value from an elderly vendor who may not understand the true value. What should the agent do?

A licensee working for Agency A learns confidential information about a client's urgent need to sell due to financial difficulties. The licensee then moves to Agency B and uses this information to approach the former client with a lower offer through a contact. This scenario primarily involves a breach of which professional obligation?

The Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal finds a licensee guilty of misconduct involving dishonest behavior that occurred 3 years ago, but the licensee has since demonstrated exemplary conduct. What factors must the Tribunal consider when determining an appropriate penalty?

A licensee is charged with misconduct for serious breaches of the Code. During the disciplinary hearing, they argue that their actions were directed by their branch manager. How will this affect the Tribunal's decision?

A licensee working for Agency A learns confidential information about a client’s financial difficulties. They then move to Agency B and are asked to give market advice on that client’s property to a prospective buyer who is a client of Agency B. How should they handle this situation?

A licensee discovers that a competing agent has made false statements about a property they have listed. What is the most appropriate course of action?

A licensee receives an offer on a property but learns of a higher offer from another buyer before presenting the first offer to the vendor. What should the licensee do according to professional standards?

James, a branch manager, discovers that one of his salespeople has been operating without a valid licence for three weeks due to an administrative oversight. What are the potential consequences for James under the Act?

A licensee discovers they have made an error in a property listing that could mislead potential buyers. According to professional standards, what should they do immediately?

An agent fails to present an offer to their vendor client for 3 days because they believe it is too low. This conduct is most likely to be classified as:

When can a licensee disclose confidential client information to a third party?

According to the REA Code of Professional Conduct and Client Care, what is the primary purpose of the Code?

James, a branch manager, becomes aware that one of his salespeople has been providing misleading information to clients about settlement timeframes. Under the REA Code, what is James's primary obligation?

In what situation would the Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal have jurisdiction to hear a complaint against a former licensee?