Under what circumstances may an industry member, acting as a real estate associate, represent both a seller and a buyer in the same transaction in Alberta?

Question: Under what circumstances may an industry member, acting as a real estate associate, represent both a seller and a buyer in the same transaction in Alberta?

Answer options:

• With the express written consent of both the seller and the buyer.
• Only if the industry member is a designated agency broker.
• Only if the properties are commercial, not residential. ✅ It is prohibited under all circumstances in Alberta for a single industry member to represent both parties.

Correct answer: It is prohibited under all circumstances in Alberta for a single industry member to represent both parties.

Explanation: RECA Rules, Section 33(1) explicitly states that an industry member must not represent more than one client in respect of the same parcel of real estate at the same time, thereby prohibiting a single industry member from acting for both buyer and seller in a transaction.