Connecticut License Law, Practice, and Disclosures
Licensing structure
The Connecticut Real Estate Commission, within the Department of Consumer Protection, licenses salespersons and brokers and enforces statutes and regulations. A salesperson must be at least 18, complete the required pre-licensing course, pass the examination, and be sponsored by a licensed broker; a broker applicant must also document experience and complete advanced coursework. Verify current hour requirements from the Commission before relying on a number. A salesperson may be licensed with only one broker at a time and may not accept compensation from anyone except that broker. Commissions are paid to the broker, who then pays the salesperson; paying a commission or referral fee to an unlicensed person is prohibited. Renewal is biennial with continuing education requirements.
Practice rules
Broker supervision is real: advertising must identify the brokerage, unlicensed assistants may perform clerical and delivery tasks but may not show property, quote terms, or negotiate, and escrow funds must be deposited promptly in a proper escrow account with no commingling.
Required disclosures
Connecticut's Agency Disclosure Notice at first meeting; written consent for dual agency; the residential property condition disclosure report; federal lead-based paint disclosure for pre-1978 housing; and the Lead Hazard/other mandated notices. Fair housing applies through both federal law and Connecticut's Human Rights and Opportunities statutes, which add protected classes - including lawful source of income - beyond the federal list.
Traps
Assuming a salesperson may negotiate an independent commission; assuming teams may advertise without the brokerage name; assuming a verbal agency agreement suffices; forgetting that fair housing covers advertising, steering, and blockbusting as well as refusals to show.
Rule of thumb: money and permission flow through the broker, and every disclosure is written and early.