Agency Relationships and Disclosure in Connecticut
Connecticut requires early written agency disclosure and permits dual and designated agency with consent. This chapter explains disclosure timing, the recognized relationships, and the supervising broker's role in compliance.
Mandatory Agency Disclosure
A Connecticut licensee must give the consumer the required agency-relationship disclosure at the beginning of the first personal meeting concerning the consumer's specific real estate needs, before confidential information is shared. The disclosure explains whether the licensee represents the seller, the buyer, both, or neither, so the consumer can make an informed choice about representation before negotiations begin.
Dual and Designated Agency
Connecticut permits dual agency, in which one licensee or firm represents both buyer and seller, only with the informed written consent of both parties. A dual agent cannot fully advocate for either side and must not reveal one party's confidential information to the other. Connecticut also recognizes designated agency, allowing a broker to assign different affiliated licensees to represent the buyer and the seller within the same firm.
The Broker's Supervisory Duty
The supervising broker is responsible for ensuring that affiliated licensees deliver required disclosures on time, keep client information confidential, and otherwise follow Connecticut license law. Failures by a salesperson can expose the broker to discipline, which is why the broker exam emphasizes agency compliance and supervision. Licensees must also avoid giving legal advice, which is the unauthorized practice of law.