Brokerage & Agency

    Dual Agency

    Representing both the buyer and the seller as a single agent in the same transaction, which is prohibited in Florida.

    Dual agency is when one licensee tries to fully represent both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction. Because a single agent owes undivided loyalty to one principal, representing both sides creates a conflict that cannot be resolved.

    Florida law prohibits dual agency. When one brokerage works with both parties, the lawful path is transaction brokerage, which provides limited representation to each side rather than full fiduciary representation to both.

    On the exam

    If a question describes a licensee fully representing both buyer and seller, the answer is a violation. The lawful alternative is transaction brokerage.

    Exam trap

    Do not confuse prohibited dual agency with permitted transaction brokerage. Transaction brokerage is limited representation and is legal; dual agency is full representation of both sides and is not.

    Tested in

    Authorized Relationships (7% of the exam)

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    This definition is Florida real estate exam-prep education, not legal, tax, or professional advice. Verify current rules against the official source before relying on them for a real transaction. Back to the full glossary.