"What's my agent asking me to sign?"

DISCLAIMER:  I am not a lawyer.  This is not legal advice.  It is a description of two forms that real estate agents are required to present to their clients at first substantive contact.

There are two disclosure forms that you can expect to receive after your first substantive contact with a real estate agent.  They are the NYS  disclosure form for landlord and tenant and a fair housing form. *This is a discussion is limited to those two forms.*  

First, be wary of agents who don't present these forms to you.   It's the law.  These documents are an explanation of your rights.  

Let's go over them briefly: 

New York State Disclosure Form for Landlords and Tenants
The New York State Disclosure Form for Landlord and Tenant informs you of who the agent is representing.   It states the role of the agent, and also what to do if you need advice that falls outside the agent's permitted scope of service. 

Pay close attention to the description of the different type of agents then note the disclosed relationship at the bottom of the form.   Also, note the description of the agent's fiduciary duties to the client.  

​Fair Housing and Anti Discrimination Disclosure

You'll also be given an important form that describes your Fair Housing and Anti-discrimination protections.   It lists some of the protected classes...   

It goes on to list some of the specific things that real estate brokers, salespeople and their employees can't do.   

The final part of the notice explains what to do if you feel you feel you have been the victim of housing discrimination, then the bottom part is where you sign to acknowlege that you have read the document. 

Now you know what the disclosures are all about.  You can read the documents in full at the links below.

AGENCY DISCLOSURE
​FAIR HOUSING DISCLOSURE

You can watch the video below to find out how some of these laws can be egregiously violated in the real world.