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Laws Of Agency Fiduciary DutiesTermination_and_liabilityMEDIUM

A California buyer's agent fails to identify a material defect during the required visual inspection of a property. The buyer discovers the defect after close of escrow and wishes to file a negligence claim against the agent. Under California law, what is the statute of limitations for this claim?

Correct Answer

C) Two years from the date the negligent act occurred or the date the defect was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered, whichever is later

Under California Code of Civil Procedure §339, the statute of limitations for negligence — including professional negligence by a real estate agent — is two years. The discovery rule applies, meaning the limitations period begins when the plaintiff discovers, or through reasonable diligence should have discovered, the injury. The clock runs from whichever date is later: the date of the negligent act or the date of discovery, but the outer limit remains two years from that triggering event.

Answer Options
A
One year from the close of escrow, regardless of when the defect was discovered
B
Three years from the close of escrow under California's property damage statute
C
Two years from the date the negligent act occurred or the date the defect was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered, whichever is later
D
Four years from the close of escrow under California's general statute of limitations for written contracts

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

statute_of_limitationsnegligencevisual_inspectionCCP_339

Related Concepts

An agency relationship created when a principal approves or accepts an agent's previously unauthorized actions, effectively granting authority after the fact.

The legal requirement for real estate agents to inform all parties about who they represent in a transaction, typically provided at first substantive contact.

A legal relationship in which one person (the agent) is authorized to act on behalf of another person (the principal) in business transactions with third parties.

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