§1447. Referral fees; interference with brokerage relationships

A.(1) It is unlawful for any person, including but not limited to a relocation company, to directly or indirectly solicit or request a referral fee or similar payment for the referral of a buyer or seller unless the person seeking the referral fee has reasonable cause. Reasonable cause shall not exist unless:

(a) The person seeking the referral fee introduced the client to the licensee or registrant from whom the referral fee is being sought; or

(b) The person seeking the referral fee has a written contractual relationship with the licensee or registrant for a referral fee or similar payment; and

(c) The licensee or registrant has received the client referral prior to the client contracting to buy or list real estate with the licensee or registrant.

(2) The solicitation or request of a referral fee or similar payment in accordance with this Subsection shall not create a legal right to be paid such fee or payment.

B. It is unlawful to interfere with a real estate brokerage relationship. The demand for a referral fee from a licensee or registrant when reasonable cause for payment does not exist constitutes interference with a real estate brokerage relationship. A threat by a third party to reduce, withhold, or eliminate any relocation benefits in order to generate a referral fee from a licensee or registrant when reasonable cause for payment does not exist also constitutes interference with a real estate brokerage relationship. Notwithstanding the foregoing, communications between an employer or its representative and an employee concerning relocation policies and benefits shall not constitute interference with a real estate brokerage relationship.

C. It is unlawful for any person, licensed or unlicensed, to interfere with the contractual relationship between a licensee or registrant and a client by counseling a client or another licensee or registrant on how to terminate or amend an existing contractual relationship between a licensee or registrant and a client. Communicating a company's relocation policy or benefits to an employee or consumer shall not be considered a violation of this Subsection as long as the communication does not involve advice or encouragement on how to terminate or amend an existing contractual relationship between a licensee or registrant and a client.

D. A prevailing party in any action for violations of this Section may be awarded actual damages, plus reasonable attorney fees. In addition to bringing an action in court, violations of this Section may be addressed through mediation services. Such mediation services shall include but shall not be limited to mediation through real estate entities who specifically offer programs for resolving complaints involving real estate referral fees.

Acts 2001, No. 261, §1.