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Legal Blog
Legal Blog
The Legal Blog brought to you by NVAR's Professional Standards department helps you stay on top of the latest rules and regulations in the industry.
Check back often to keep up with latest information.
May 13, 2021
Realtors® Stand Against Discrimination: NAR Provides Additional Guidance for Code of Ethics Update
In November 2020, the Board of Directors of the National Association of Realtors® (“NAR”) adopted an update to Article 10 of the Realtor® Code of Ethics (“Code of Ethics”). This update provided a new Standard of Practice (SOP 10-5) that went into effect immediately and states:
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Jan 29, 2021
Advertising For-Sale-By-Owner Properties
Many brokers are asking: “Can my firm advertise resales, vacant land and new construction properties that are for-sale-by-owner (“FSBO”) on our website without listing it in the MLS?”
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Nov 5, 2020
Effective and Ethical Advertising: What Realtors® Need to Know
IN A COMPETITIVE MARKET, effective advertising can make all the difference.
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Sep 8, 2020
Source of Funds and Property Management: Updates to the Virginia Fair Housing Law
THE VIRGINIA FAIR HOUSING LAW (Virginia Code Ann. §§ 36-96.1 et seq. (the “Act”)) recites the policy of the Commonwealth to “provide for fair housing … to all its citizens … and … prohibit discriminatory practices with respect to residential housing…”
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Jul 8, 2020
Understanding the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act: Resident Agents for Nonresident Property Owners
Q. What does the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (“VRLTA”) require of nonresident property owners who wish to lease their Virginia residential properties?
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Jun 8, 2020
Virginia Disclosure Law & 2020 Legislative Update
The 2020 Virginia General Assembly session yielded several important revisions to the Virginia Residential Property Disclosure Act
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Jun 8, 2020
Must You Disclose Megan's Law information?
Q: After taking a listing, the REALTOR® was informed by the neighbors that one of the residents in the area is listed on the Virginia State Police Sex Offender Web site. She wants to know if she must disclose this information to potential purchasers.
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May 8, 2020
What Realtors® Should Know About Assistance Animals
Q. I am the listing agent for a residential rental property. My clients recently accepted a rental application and ratified a lease.
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Mar 31, 2020
Form Updates and Refresher on Listing Statuses
The NVAR Standard Forms Library has been updated (effective April 1, 2020) to provide Realtors® with new tools and to make necessary updates to outdated forms, particularly the Listing Agreement Amendment (K0004).
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Mar 6, 2020
Fair Housing in Leasing and Unauthorized Access
Ensuring that all citizens have fair access to housing is essential “[to protect] the peace, health, safety, prosperity, and general welfare of all the inhabitants of the Commonwealth …
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Feb 13, 2020
Revised Regional Rules and Regulations for the SentriLock Lockbox System Take Effect March 1, 2020
The revised Rules take effect on March 1, 2020.
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Jan 17, 2020
Your Legal Hotline Questions Answered
Q. Form updates are usually released in January and July. Why did NVAR release updates in December?
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Aug 21, 2019
How to Safely and Ethically Access Properties
Q. What do we need to know about providing access to properties in a way that is safe for Realtors®, their clients, and members of the general public?
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Jul 8, 2019
What Realtors® Need to Know About Expired or Cancelled Listings
I have heard about services that will provide lists of recently expired or cancelled Bright MLS listings. What do I need to know to avoid violating our legal and ethical obligations?
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May 2, 2019
Best Practices for ‘Coming Soon’ Listings, School Ratings
I’ve been seeing a lot of properties advertised online or on signs as “Coming Soon,” but the property is not in the MLS, and the listing agent is permitting showings. Is this legal, ethical, or a violation of the MLS rules?
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Mar 4, 2019
Your Common Law Lease and POA Disclosure Packet Questions Answered
As of Jan. 1, 2019, there will no longer be a substantive difference between the common law landlord/tenant provisions and the Virginia Residential Landlord Tenant Act (VRLTA).
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Jan 7, 2019
Get 'Smart': Answers to Your Smart Home and Smart Contract Questions
With respect to listing the property, there are two separate issues. First, is there a security system in the property that records both audio and video?
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Nov 5, 2018
Your Questions Answered: Legal Hotline, Team Registration, Changing Lenders
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Aug 23, 2018
Your Hotline Questions Answered: New Team Legislation, Void vs. Default Explained
Q. As a real estate licensee, I market myself as a member of a team. What do I need to know about the newly-enacted team legislation?
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Jun 27, 2018
What is GDPR and Why Should It Matter to Real Estate Professionals?
GDPR stands for the General Data Protection Regulation. This European Union regulation took effect on May 25, 2018.
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