Who is my Client. Broker, or Broker's Firm?

[gat0rjay]

I'm currently working on an appraisal (already inspected and collected payment). On my order I have listed my client as "Joe Broker" who works for "Firm A". However, Joe Broker has now stopped working for Firm A, and has moved on to "Firm B", in the middle of my report.

My questions is... Who, legally, is my client? Is my client Joe Broker, or his former employer, Firm A?

If the old firm is legally my client, what do I have to do to release the report to Joe Broker and Firm B?



Thanks in advance for your help,

Jason

 

[c w d]

In my opinion, no matter the relationship (independent contractor or employee) unless the broker is representing themselves working for themselves, then they are a representative of the company they work for. There is specific licensing for brokerage shops in the state of Florida and specific monetary reserve requirements and insurance for a brokerage shop to conduct business. I think brokers must be licensed in the state of Florida, but, they don't have to meet the additional requirements and licensing that a brokerage firm must satisfy. In this situation a broker can move from company to company but, cannot conduct business on his/her own if they don't meet the additional criteria. Hence, your client should be the company for whom he/she works for at the time of the appraisal.

I love it when I receive an order and at the bottom it says "XYZ Company not responsible for fees incurred by Joe Broker". Oh yes they are. It's just a sign of the kind of people you're doing business with. Low class, cut throats. I would like to see them up hold that stance in court. Just because they say it's so doesn't make it so.