When must a Florida agent give you a written relationship notice?

What the law says

• Single agent duties must be disclosed in writing before or when signing a listing or representation agreement, or before showing property, whichever comes first (475.278(3)(b)1.).
• A single agent may change to a transaction broker at any time, but only after getting the client's written consent, using the "Consent to Transition to Transaction Broker" form in the law (475.278(3)(b)2. and (3)(c)2.).
• An agent with no brokerage relationship must give the written disclosure before showing property (475.278(4)(b)).
• When the notice is part of another document, it must be in type at least as large as the rest and placed so it stands out, with the first sentence in uppercase bold (475.278(3)(b) and (4)(b)).
• These rules apply to residential sales: improved residential property of four units or fewer, unimproved residential land meant for four units or fewer, or agricultural property of 10 acres or fewer (475.278(5)(a)).
• The notices are not required for things like a bona fide open house with no confidential talk or offers, casual conversations, general factual questions about advertised homes, rentals without a purchase option, auctions, and appraisals (475.278(5)(b)2.).
• They are also not required when the licensee knows the buyer or seller already has a single agent or transaction broker (475.278(5)(b)1.).

“The disclosure must be made before, or at the time of, entering into a listing agreement or an agreement for representation or before the showing of property, whichever occurs first.”

475.278(3)-(5), Florida Statutes

Who this is for

Buying · Selling · For agents

Last checked against the official text on November 5, 2026. Laws change, and the official text always wins. This is general information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a Florida real estate attorney.