Information About Brokerage Services (IABS) & Consumer Protection Notice
What is the IABS?
Texas law requires all brokers and sales agents to provide written notice regarding information about brokerage services at the first substantive communication with prospective buyers, tenants, sellers, and landlords concerning specific real property. The Information About Brokerage Services form (or the IABS) is the required method to provide that information to those parties.
Posting and delivery are BOTH required
It is important to remember that the IABS must both be delivered at the first substantive communication, and the completed IABS must be posted on the homepage of the license holders’ business website. A business website is a website controlled by the license holder, accessible to the public, and that contains information about a license holder’s real estate brokerage services.
Posting the IABS
Make sure to comply by following these simple rules.
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All fields in the IABS must be correctly filled out.
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Post a link to the IABS form labeled "Texas Real Estate Commission Information About Brokerage Services," in at least 10 point font or "TREC Information About Brokerage Services" in at least 12 point font on the homepage of the business' website, in a readily noticeable place.
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On social media, TREC added flexibility for posting a link to the IABS. Just make sure a link to the homepage of the business’ website with the completed IABS is linked in the social media profiles .
Delivery of the IABS
What are some acceptable ways to deliver the IABS?
- Via email
- In the body of an email. The link to the IABS must be above the email signature block and specifically reference the IABS form.
- As an attachment to an email. The body of the email must specifically reference the IABS in the body of the email.
- Physically
- Give the completed IABS form directly to a client at the first substantive conversation.
- First class mail or overnight common carrier delivery service.
What is the Consumer Protection Notice?
The Consumer Protection Notice provides information about filing a complaint with TREC, and information regarding the two TREC recovery funds. This notice must be displayed in a readily noticeable location in each place of business the broker maintains and must be posted on your business website homepage in a readily noticeable place. The link on the website must either state "Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice," in at least 10 point font or "TREC Consumer Protection Notice," in at least 12 point font.
Still, have more questions?
Review or Frequently Asked Questions on the TREC website. Search by “IABS” or “Information About Brokerage Services”.