Who is responsible for the liability incurred by a salesperson while performing real estate brokerage activities?

The designated broker is responsible for the actions of real estate salespersons under their supervision when performing brokerage activities. In Connecticut and many other jurisdictions, brokers are required to oversee the salespersons who operate under their license. This supervision extends to ensuring that salespersons comply with legal and ethical standards in their real estate transactions.

When a salesperson engages in activities such as negotiating contracts, presenting offers, or managing transactions, any liability that arises from those activities typically falls back on the designated broker. This relationship underscores the legal principle that brokers are accountable for the conduct of their agents, as they hold the license and are ultimately responsible for the brokerage's operations.

Clients, while important in the transaction, are not liable for the salesperson's actions. They are the parties transacting but do not have a supervisory role over agents. Unlicensed assistants do not have the responsibilities or legal consequences that licensed salespersons and brokers hold. Lastly, the Real Estate Board functions primarily as a regulatory body but does not assume liability for individual broker or salesperson actions.