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Unlicensed Personal Assistants- Dos and Donts

Aug 16, 2016

Standards and Ethics

GUIDELINES FOR UNLICENSED PERSONAL ASSISTANTS (Revised May 2011)

The following is intended to serve as a guideline of “Dos and Don’ts” for Unlicensed Personal Assistants (UPA). The licensee, who may serve as the employer of the UPA, must follow all applicable laws.

DO'S

Perform general clerical duties, including answering the phones and reading information shown on the listing.
Submit listings and changes to MLS.
Follow up on loan commitments after contracts have been negotiated.
Have keys made for listings.
Compute commission checks.
Place signs on properties.
Act as a courier service.
Schedule appointments.
Record and deposit earnest money, security deposits and advance rents.
Prepare contract forms for approval of the licensee and supervising broker*. (*administrative task only; presentation of contract remains with licensee)
Prepare promotional materials and advertisements for approval of the licensee and supervising broker.
Assemble closing documents.
Obtain required public information from governmental entities.
Monitor license and personnel files.
Order routine repairs as directed by licensee.
May be compensated for their work at a predetermined rate that is not contingent upon the occurrence of a real estate transaction.

DON'TS

Show property.
Give opinions or advice on a listing.
Preview, inspect or determine (measure) the square footage of any property unless accompanied by a licensee.
Answer questions on listings, titles, financing or closings, unless to confirm that a property is listed, to identify the listing broker or sales agent and to provide such information as would normally appear in a simple, classified newspaper advertisement (location and/or address.)
Discuss or explain with anyone outside the firm a contract, listing, lease, agreement, or other real estate documents.
Attend pre-closing walk-through or real estate closing unless accompanied by a licensee.
Negotiate the amount of rent, security deposit, or other lease provisions in connection with a rental property.
Represent themselves as being a licensee or as being engaged in the business of buying, selling, exchanging, renting, leasing, managing, auctioning, or dealing with options on any real estate or the improvement thereon for others.
Compensate UPAs on the basis of real estate activity, such as percentage of commission, or any amount based on listings, sales, etc.
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