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Laws Of Agency Fiduciary DutiesTermination_and_liabilityMEDIUM

A California salesperson negligently misrepresents a property's condition to a buyer while showing one of the employing broker's listings. The buyer sues for damages. Who may be held liable?

Correct Answer

B) Both the salesperson and the broker, for acts within the scope of the association

A salesperson may act only under the employing broker's license, so the broker is answerable for what the salesperson does within the scope of that association, the principle of respondeat superior. Commissioner's Regulation 2725 requires the broker to exercise reasonable supervision over the licensees' activities, and Business and Professions Code section 10177(h) makes a failure to do so a ground for discipline. That vicarious responsibility does not excuse the person who spoke: the salesperson remains personally liable for the salesperson's own negligent misrepresentation. The buyer may pursue both.

Answer Options
A
The salesperson alone, because the broker answers only for the broker's own statements
B
Both the salesperson and the broker, for acts within the scope of the association
C
The employing broker alone, because a salesperson may not be sued individually
D
Neither, until the Department of Real Estate first makes a disciplinary finding

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

E&O_insurancesalesperson_coveragenegligent_misrepresentation

Related Concepts

An agency relationship created when a principal's actions or words lead a third party to reasonably believe that an agent has authority, and the principal fails to correct this belief.

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.

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