Who is responsible for the actions of real estate agents working under them?

The broker holds responsibility for the actions of the real estate agents working under them due to the nature of the agency relationship established in real estate transactions. In this context, agents operate as representatives of the broker. Therefore, any actions taken by the agents—whether they are related to ethics, legal compliance, or the representation of clients—fall under the broker's responsibility.

This principle is rooted in the concept of vicarious liability, where the broker can be held accountable for the professional conduct and decisions of their agents. This accountability extends to ensuring that agents adhere to industry regulations, fulfill their fiduciary duties, and conduct transactions in a manner that respects all legal and ethical guidelines. Consequently, a broker must maintain oversight and provide appropriate training and support to their agents to mitigate risks and ensure compliance.

The options related to clients, state licensing boards, and real estate associations do not directly hold the same level of responsibility for agents' actions. Clients typically bear responsibility for their own decisions and agreements with the agents. The state licensing board regulates licenses and compliance with legal standards but does not oversee specific actions taken by agents in day-to-day operations. Similarly, real estate associations may set ethical guidelines and standards but do not have legal accountability for the individual actions of agents