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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>85765</law_id><section_number>54.1-2133</section_number><catch_line>Licensees engaged by landlords to lease property</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>54.1-2130</reference><reference>54.1-2138.1</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="54.1">Professions and Occupations</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="II">Professions and Occupations Regulated by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation and Boards Within the Department</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="21">Real Estate Brokers, Sales Persons and Rental Location Agents</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="3">Duties of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> A <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> engaged by a landlord shall: <a id="paragraph-307145" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2133/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Perform in accordance with the terms of the <span class="dictionary">brokerage agreement</span>; <a id="paragraph-307146" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2133/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Promote the interests of the landlord by:
				a. Conducting marketing activities on behalf of the landlord pursuant to the <span class="dictionary">brokerage agreement</span> with the landlord. In so doing, the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> shall seek a tenant at the rent and terms agreed in the <span class="dictionary">brokerage agreement</span> or at a rent and terms acceptable to the landlord; however, the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> shall not be obligated to seek additional offers to lease the property while the property is subject to a lease or a letter of <span class="dictionary">intent</span> to lease under which the tenant has not yet taken <span class="dictionary">possession</span>, unless agreed as part of the <span class="dictionary">brokerage agreement</span>, or unless the lease or the letter of <span class="dictionary">intent</span> to lease so provides;
				b. Assisting the landlord in drafting and negotiating leases and letters of <span class="dictionary">intent</span> to lease, and presenting in a timely manner all written leasing offers or counteroffers to and from the landlord and tenant pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Preparation of real estate contracts by real estate licensees; translation" href="/54.1-2101.1/">54.1-2101.1</a>, even when the property is already subject to a lease or a letter of <span class="dictionary">intent</span> to lease; and
				c. Providing reasonable assistance to the landlord to finalize the lease agreement; <a id="paragraph-307147" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2133/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Maintain confidentiality of all personal and financial information received from the <span class="dictionary">client</span> during the <span class="dictionary">brokerage relationship</span> and any other information that the <span class="dictionary">client</span> requests during the <span class="dictionary">brokerage relationship</span> be maintained confidential, unless otherwise provided by <span class="dictionary">law</span> or the landlord consents in writing to the release of such information; <a id="paragraph-307148" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2133/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Exercise ordinary care; <a id="paragraph-307149" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2133/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Account in a timely manner for all money and property received by the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> in which the landlord has or may have an interest; <a id="paragraph-307150" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2133/#A5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Disclose to the landlord <span class="dictionary">material</span> <span class="dictionary">facts</span> related to the property or concerning the transaction of which the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> has actual knowledge; and <a id="paragraph-307151" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2133/#A6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A7" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Comply with all requirements of this article, fair housing <span class="dictionary">statutes</span> and regulations for <span class="dictionary">residential real estate</span> transactions as applicable, and all other applicable <span class="dictionary">statutes</span> and regulations that are not in conflict with this article. <a id="paragraph-307152" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2133/#A7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> <span class="dictionary">Licensees</span> shall treat all prospective tenants honestly and shall not knowingly give them false information. A <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> engaged by a landlord shall disclose to prospective tenants all <span class="dictionary">material</span> adverse <span class="dictionary">facts</span> pertaining to the physical condition of the property that are actually known by the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>. If a <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> has actual knowledge of the existence of any pipe, pipe or plumbing fitting, fixture, solder, or flux that does not meet the federal Safe Drinking Water Act definition of &#x201C;lead free&#x201D; pursuant to 42 U.S.C. &#xA7; 300g-6 in a residential property, the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> shall disclose the same to the prospective tenant. As used in this section, the term &#x201C;physical condition of the property&#x201D; refers to the physical condition of the land and any improvements thereon, and does not refer to (i) matters outside the boundaries of the land or relating to adjacent or other properties in proximity thereto, (ii) matters relating to governmental land use regulations, and (iii) matters relating to highways or public streets. Such disclosure shall be made in writing. No <span class="dictionary">cause of action</span> shall arise against any <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> for revealing information as required by this article or applicable <span class="dictionary">law</span>. Nothing in this subsection shall limit the right of a prospective tenant to inspect the physical condition of the property. <a id="paragraph-307153" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2133/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> A <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> engaged by a landlord in a real estate transaction may, unless prohibited by <span class="dictionary">law</span> or the <span class="dictionary">brokerage agreement</span>, provide assistance to a tenant, or potential tenant, by performing <span class="dictionary">ministerial acts</span>. Performing such <span class="dictionary">ministerial acts</span> that are not inconsistent with subsection A shall not be construed to violate the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">brokerage relationship</span> with the landlord unless expressly prohibited by the terms of the <span class="dictionary">brokerage agreement</span>, nor shall performing such <span class="dictionary">ministerial acts</span> be construed to form a <span class="dictionary">brokerage relationship</span> with such tenant or potential tenant. <a id="paragraph-307154" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2133/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> A <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> engaged by a landlord does not breach any duty or obligation owed to the landlord by showing alternative properties to prospective tenants, whether as <span class="dictionary">clients</span> or <span class="dictionary">customers</span>, or by representing other landlords who have other properties for lease. <a id="paragraph-307155" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2133/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> <span class="dictionary">Licensees</span> in <span class="dictionary">residential real estate</span> transactions shall disclose <span class="dictionary">brokerage relationships</span> pursuant to the provisions of this article. <a id="paragraph-307156" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2133/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> A <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> engaged by a landlord shall not be required to enter into a <span class="dictionary">brokerage agreement</span> with a prospective tenant to show property to the prospective tenant when such showing is conducted pursuant to and in accordance with a <span class="dictionary">brokerage agreement</span> entered into with a landlord <span class="dictionary">client</span>. <a id="paragraph-307157" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2133/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1995, cc. 741, 813; 2006, c. 627; 2008, c. 741; 2011, cc. 34, 46, 461; 2012, c. 750; 2016, c. 334; 2020, c. 520; 2025, cc. 479, 495.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
