Legal & Compliance

  • Canceling a Listing in MA

    We are happy to cancel a listing on your behalf at any time. In order to do this in MLSPIN (MA MLS), we are required to have a document from the seller or landlord where they acknowledge that they want to cancel the listing. We recommend that you have the seller sign the Status Change Form which...

  • Can I Collect a Credit Report Fee for a Massachusetts Rental?

    The landlord cannot ever collect a fee for a credit report in Massachusetts. A real estate firm can ONLY collect a fee for a credit report IF that agent has a signed Rental Fee Disclosure from the person who is paying for the application fee (credit report) which states that the fee is non-refun...

  • Can I Show a Home in a State Where I am Not Licensed?

    No, if you do not have a license within a state, you CANNOT show real estate there.  You should refer your client to an agent that is licensed in that state.

  • Copyright Law On Photos Found On the Web

    Copyright Infringement Creative works are protected by copyright. Don't use another person's copyrighted photograph, painting, music or words without permission because doing so could result in liability for copyright infringement. Many real estate professionals own websites that feature an IDX ...

  • Disclosed Dual Agency - Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut

    Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island all allow a form dual agency. In order to work as a dual agent, the agent must provide a separate dual agency disclosure, and the clients must consent in writing to dual agency.

  • Fair Housing

    LAER Realty has zero-tolerance for violations of the Fair Housing laws and prohibits any client, customer, agent, or employee from discriminating in the provision of any of the company’s services on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, physical or mental disability, familial status, mari...

  • Florida - LAER Practices Transaction Agency

    It is important that all the forms LAER Agents use reflect TRANSACTION AGENCY in Florida:  Below explains Transaction Agency vs Single Agency, the duties of each, and the complications when there are agents that practice something other than TRANSACTION AGENCY.  TRANSACTION AGENCY is the only for...

  • Harassment Policy

    Introduction: It is the policy of the Firm that all employees, customers, and clients be free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of an individual’s race, color, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, religion, marital status, veteran status, physical ...

  • How To Fill Out the MA Lead Paint Form

    Civil and criminal penalties may be levied by the state or federal government on agents who do not comply with lead paint law. This simple 10-minute video shows you everything you need to know about lead paint law and the MA lead paint lead disclosure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD62_7JH6GA

  • LAER - Hallowell Maine Office - Agency

    The LAER Hallowell Maine Office Practices Single Agency: In Maine real estate, single agency is when a real estate brokerage company and all of its affiliated licensees represent a buyer or seller as a client. This type of agency involves companies with a limited number of agents, and all agents...

  • Lead Paint Laws

    State and Federal lead paint disclosure laws have been on the books for over 20 years and in that time not a lot of changes were made. Yet REALTORS® are still presented with thorny lead paint questions. Read the LAER Guide to Lead Paint Here’s a rundown of frequent trouble areas: 1. Don’t have...

  • MA Lead Paint Samples

    You must give the entire Property Transfer Notification (full packet) to the buyer. Lead Paint No Knowledge✎ EditSign Lead Paint with Knowledge✎ EditSign Tenant Lead Paint No Knowledge✎ EditSign Tenant Lead Paint With Knowledge✎ EditSign For a Youtube tutorial on MA Lead Paint, click on the ...

  • Massachusetts Rentals

    If you are considering doing rentals in your business, there is a lot that you need to know. 1. Rentals are extremely risky legally. You should not work with a renter or landlord unless you have taken courses on how to do a rental. It is way too easy to inadvertently violate a Fair Housing Law. ...

  • Massachusetts Teams

    The Massachusetts Department of Professional Licensure/Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons recently released long-awaited FAQs regarding real estate teams. Details are shared below, or you may view/download the DPL document. This spells out important matters about what ...

  • New Hampshire Agents are Designated Agents

    In New Hampshire, a designated agent is a real estate licensee who represents one party in a transaction and owes them client-level duties. A managing broker chooses designated agents, also known as appointed agents, to act as exclusive agents for buyers or sellers. This practice helps brokerages...

  • New Real Estate Forms for 8/17/2024 Changes

    LAER Has created a comprehensive playbook of all the changes to real estate forms in response to the NAR Settlement. This playbook as well as many other resources may be found at www.LAERAgentServices.com under NAR Settlement Resources.     \ \ Playbook to the New Real Estate Forms by LAER Rea...

  • NH Lead Paint Samples

    Here are some helpful sheets on how to fill out a NH lead paint form properly. NH Lead Paint with No Knowledge NH Lead Paint with Knowledge NH Tenant with NO Knowledge of Lead Paint NH Tenant with Knowledge of Lead Paint

  • Non Disclosure Agreement

    Below is the basic information you would include in a Non-Disclosure Agreement. It's a good idea to have an attorney review this prior to sending it to a client. Basic Nondisclosure Agreement This Nondisclosure Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into by and between _______________ with its p...

  • Procuring Cause - How Best to Protect Yourself

    Incorporate these best practices into your day-to-day business interactions: Ask customers if they’re already working with an agent. Discuss agency with potential clients and then ask them to sign an Agency Disclosure. If there is an arbitration or mediation session regarding Procuring Cause, th...

  • RESPA Compliance - No Kickbacks

    As an agent affiliated with this Firm you are required to comply fully with the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (“RESPA”) at all times. Generally speaking, RESPA prohibits kickbacks, referral fees, receiving unearned fees or receiving a “thing of value” for the referral of business related ...

  • Using Zumper for Rental Credit Checks

    We are recommending that if you need a credit check for your rental, that you direct your tenant applicants to one of several online services that will do a credit check for them. This way, the tenant pays for their own credit check and they are the ones sharing the information. One such site is...

  • What is Antitrust and How Do I Protect Myself and the Brokerage?

    • What are antitrust laws? Antitrust laws prohibit price fixing, other anticompetitive agreements and conduct, and mergers that deprive and/or restrict consumers, taxpayers, and workers of the benefits of competition. • What real estate practices are by LAER Realty