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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>81882</law_id><section_number>54.1-2138.1</section_number><catch_line>Limited service agent in a residential real estate transaction, contract disclosure required</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>54.1-2138</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> may act as a <span class="dictionary">limited service agent</span> in a <span class="dictionary">residential real estate</span> transaction only pursuant to a written <span class="dictionary">brokerage agreement</span> in which the <span class="dictionary">limited service agent</span> (i) discloses that the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> is acting as a <span class="dictionary">limited service agent</span>; (ii) provides a list of the specific services that the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> will provide to the <span class="dictionary">client</span>; and (iii) provides a list of the specific duties of a <span class="dictionary">standard agent</span> set out in subdivision A 2 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Licensees engaged by sellers" href="/54.1-2131/">54.1-2131</a>, subdivision A 3 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Licensees engaged by buyers" href="/54.1-2132/">54.1-2132</a>, subdivision A 2 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Licensees engaged by landlords to lease property" href="/54.1-2133/">54.1-2133</a>, or subdivision A 3 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Licensees engaged by tenants" href="/54.1-2134/">54.1-2134</a>, as applicable, that the <span class="dictionary">limited service agent</span> will not provide to the <span class="dictionary">client</span>. Such disclosure shall be conspicuous and printed either in bold lettering or all capitals, and shall be underlined or in a separate box. In addition, a disclosure that contains language that complies substantially in effect with the following shall be deemed in compliance with this disclosure requirement:
			&#x201C;By entering into this <span class="dictionary">brokerage agreement</span>, the undersigned do hereby acknowledge their informed consent to the <span class="dictionary">limited service agent</span> in a <span class="dictionary">residential real estate</span> transaction by the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> and do further acknowledge that neither the other <span class="dictionary">party</span> to the transaction nor any real estate <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> representing the other <span class="dictionary">party</span> is under any legal obligation to assist the undersigned with the performance of any duties and responsibilities of the undersigned not performed by the <span class="dictionary">limited service agent</span>.&#x201D;
			A <span class="dictionary">limited service agent</span> shall disclose dual <span class="dictionary">agency</span> in accordance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Disclosed dual agency and dual representation authorized in a residential real estate transaction" href="/54.1-2139/">54.1-2139</a>. <a id="paragraph-293360" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2138.1/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> A <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> engaged by one <span class="dictionary">client</span> to a <span class="dictionary">residential real estate</span> transaction and dealing with an unrepresented <span class="dictionary">party</span> or with a <span class="dictionary">party</span> represented by a <span class="dictionary">limited service agent</span> and who, without additional compensation, provides such other <span class="dictionary">party</span> information relative to the transaction or undertakes to assist such other <span class="dictionary">party</span> in securing a <span class="dictionary">contract</span> or with such <span class="dictionary">party</span>&#x2019;s obligations thereunder, shall not incur liability for such actions except in the case of gross <span class="dictionary">negligence</span> or willful misconduct. A <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> does not create a <span class="dictionary">brokerage relationship</span> by providing such assistance or information to the other <span class="dictionary">party</span> to the transaction. A <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> dealing with a <span class="dictionary">client</span> of a <span class="dictionary">limited service agent</span> may enter into an agreement with that <span class="dictionary">party</span> for payment of a fee for services performed or information provided by that <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>. Such payment shall not create a <span class="dictionary">brokerage relationship</span>; however, the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> providing such services or information for a fee shall be held to the ordinary standard of care in the provision of such services or information. <a id="paragraph-293361" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2138.1/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2006, c. 627; 2012, c. 750; 2016, c. 334; 2025, cc. 479, 495.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
