<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>368076</law_id><section_number>54.1-2142</section_number><catch_line>Liability; knowledge not to be imputed</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="118" identifier="54.1">Professions and Occupations</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="2" 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="13" identifier="21">Real Estate Brokers, Sales Persons and Rental Location Agents</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="3" 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">client</span> is not liable for (i) a misrepresentation made by a <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> in connection with a <span class="dictionary">brokerage relationship</span>, unless the <span class="dictionary">client</span> knew or should have known of the misrepresentation and failed to take reasonable steps to correct the misrepresentation in a timely manner, or (ii) the <span class="dictionary">negligence</span>, gross <span class="dictionary">negligence</span> or intentional acts of any broker or broker&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>. <a id="paragraph-1370093" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2142/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> A broker who has a <span class="dictionary">brokerage relationship</span> with a <span class="dictionary">client</span> and who engages another broker to assist in providing <span class="dictionary">brokerage services</span> to such <span class="dictionary">client</span> shall not be liable for (i) a misrepresentation made by the other broker, unless the broker knew or should have known of the other broker&#x2019;s misrepresentation and failed to take reasonable steps to correct the misrepresentation in a timely manner, or (ii) the <span class="dictionary">negligence</span>, gross <span class="dictionary">negligence</span> or intentional acts of the assisting broker or assisting broker&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>. <a id="paragraph-1370094" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2142/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> <span class="dictionary">Clients</span> and <span class="dictionary">licensees</span> shall be deemed to possess actual knowledge and information only. Knowledge or information among or between <span class="dictionary">clients</span> and <span class="dictionary">licensees</span> shall not be imputed. <a id="paragraph-1370095" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2142/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Nothing in this article shall limit the liability between or among <span class="dictionary">clients</span> and <span class="dictionary">licensees</span> in all matters involving unlawful discriminatory housing practices. <a id="paragraph-1370096" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2142/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Except as expressly set forth in this section, nothing in this article shall affect a person&#x2019;s right to rescind a real estate transaction or limit the liability of (i) a <span class="dictionary">client</span> for the misrepresentation, <span class="dictionary">negligence</span>, gross <span class="dictionary">negligence</span> or intentional acts of such <span class="dictionary">client</span> in connection with a real estate transaction, or (ii) a <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> for the misrepresentation, <span class="dictionary">negligence</span>, gross <span class="dictionary">negligence</span> or intentional acts of such <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> in connection with a real estate transaction. However, nothing in this article shall create a civil <span class="dictionary">cause of action</span> against a <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>. <a id="paragraph-1370097" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2142/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1995, cc. 741, 813; 2016, c. 334.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
