Question
Your buyer calls to ask you for access to a home they recently bought, to measure the windows for blinds. Although you haven’t officially closed on the property, the deal is in progress. You know the property is vacant and you happen to be nearby so you could stop by to let them in. Do you:
a.) Give them access to the home, staying with them the entire time.
b.) Offer to give them access but leave early to make your next showing, telling them to lock up when they are done.
c.) Tell them they cannot enter the property unless we first get permission from the listing agent or seller.
Answer
If you answered C, you are correct!
As a REALTORS®, you are responsible for anyone you allow into a property, and you should never allow access without the seller’s consent — even if you’re under contract. In this instance, since you have not yet closed on this property, the home is still considered to be listed, which further prevents you from providing access to the property outside of the agreement you made with the seller through their listing agent.
Standard of Practice 3-9 states that you may not provide or promote access to a property outside of the agreement you have with the owner or listing agent:
“REALTORS® shall not provide access to listed property on terms other than those established by the owner or the listing broker.”
Resources for Duty to Clients and Customers
