Pennsylvania · state portion

Pennsylvania real estate law vocabulary

15 terms, defined plainly. Where a term is commonly confused with another, the definition says so — that confusion is usually the wrong answer.

RELRA

The Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act (63 P.S. §455) — Pennsylvania's licensing statute, enforced by the State Real Estate Commission.

PA State Real Estate Commission

Sits in the Department of State (Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs); licenses, regulates, and disciplines licensees to protect the public.

Consumer Notice

PA's required disclosure of the business relationships available (seller agent, buyer agent, dual agent, designated agent, transaction licensee) — provided at the INITIAL INTERVIEW. (Not the Texas IABS.)

Transaction licensee

A PA licensee providing services WITHOUT an agency relationship — owes only honesty and disclosure of known material defects, not fiduciary duties.

Dual agency (PA)

Permitted in Pennsylvania with the informed WRITTEN consent of all parties; designated agency lets the broker appoint separate licensees for each side.

Real Estate Recovery Fund

Pays a consumer holding an UNCOLLECTIBLE court judgment against a licensee for fraud, misrepresentation, or deceit — payment suspends the license until repaid with interest.

PA salesperson eligibility

18+, complete 75 hours of approved pre-licensing education, pass both exam portions (75% each), and be employed by a sponsoring broker.

Biennial renewal

PA licenses renew every two years with required continuing education; practicing on a lapsed license is unlicensed activity.

Change of employing broker

The license must be transferred to the new broker before the salesperson may act for them; compensation comes ONLY from the employing broker.

Escrow duties (PA)

Deposits go into the BROKER's escrow/trust account; a salesperson receiving funds must promptly deliver them to the broker. Commingling and conversion are prohibited.

Blind ad

Advertising that omits the employing broker's business name — prohibited; all advertising is under the broker's supervision and name.

Seller's Property Disclosure Law

68 Pa.C.S. Ch. 73 — the seller must deliver a written disclosure of KNOWN material defects BEFORE the buyer signs the agreement of sale; it is not a warranty.

PA Human Relations Act

Extends fair-housing protection beyond the federal classes — including ancestry, age (40+), and use of a guide or support animal.

Tenancy by the entirety (PA)

Recognized in Pennsylvania for married couples — includes right of survivorship. (PA is NOT a community-property state.)

Commonwealth Court

Where appeals from PA Real Estate Commission adjudications are heard (not the Court of Common Pleas).