EstatePass
Laws Of Agency Fiduciary DutiesTermination_and_liabilityMEDIUM

A California salesperson, without the broker's knowledge or authorization, conducts real estate transactions using the broker's license number. The broker discovers the conduct and promptly terminates the salesperson. Under California law, which of the following best describes the broker's potential liability for those unauthorized transactions?

Correct Answer

B) The broker may be held liable because the failure to detect the unauthorized conduct indicates a breakdown in the broker's required supervisory systems.

Under California Business and Professions Code §10159.2 and Commissioner's Regulation §2725, brokers have an affirmative, non-delegable duty to establish written supervisory policies and to actively supervise all licensed activities conducted under their license. When unauthorized transactions go undetected, that failure itself constitutes a violation of the supervisory duty — independent of whether the broker had actual knowledge. The DRE may impose disciplinary action on the broker for inadequate supervision, and the broker may face civil liability for failing to maintain systems that would have caught the misconduct.

Answer Options
A
The broker has no liability because the salesperson acted outside the scope of any authorized activity and was terminated immediately upon discovery.
B
The broker may be held liable because the failure to detect the unauthorized conduct indicates a breakdown in the broker's required supervisory systems.
C
The broker is liable only if the harmed party can show the broker had actual knowledge of the transactions before they were completed.
D
The broker is liable only for transactions in which a commission was collected and deposited into the broker's trust account.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Deep Analysis of This Laws Of Agency Fiduciary Duties Question

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Background Knowledge for Laws Of Agency Fiduciary Duties

Sign up free to unlock full analysis
Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Real World Application in Laws Of Agency Fiduciary Duties

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Laws Of Agency Fiduciary Duties Questions

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

unauthorized_actsbroker_supervisionvicarious_liabilityB&P_10159

Related Concepts

The highest legal obligation of trust and confidence owed by an agent to their principal, requiring the agent to act solely in the principal's best interest.

An agency relationship where the agent agrees to act on behalf of the principal without receiving compensation.

An agency relationship created by the conduct or actions of the parties rather than by a written or oral agreement.

Was this explanation helpful?

More Laws Of Agency Fiduciary Duties Questions

People Also Study

Related Articles

Practice More Questions

Access 2,000+ practice questions and pass your real estate exam.

Start Practicing