I’m the listing agent for an owner leasing his single-family home. We both signed the Residential Real Estate Listing Agreement, Exclusive Right to Lease (TXR 1102). A prospective tenant called me to ask questions about the property and request a rental application. If I provide the rental application to the prospect, will this trigger an intermediary relationship?

No. Merely discussing the listing and providing the rental application will not trigger an intermediary relationship. However, if the prospective tenant requests that you represent her in the lease negotiation process, you will need to obtain her written consent for your broker to act as an intermediary. You can use the Residential Buyer/Tenant Representation Agreement (TXR 1501) for this purpose. Then you’ll need to comply with the steps required for an intermediary relationship, which apply to both sales and leasing transactions.

The same prospective tenant was approved and is now three months into his lease. He just contacted me because he's interested in purchasing the property. The tenant requested that I represent him in the purchase of the property. How do I represent the tenant if I already represent the owner? Can my broker be appointed to represent the tenant?

These facts will trigger an intermediary relationship. Since you represent the seller, you need to verify that the listing agreement permits your broker to act as an intermediary. If so, the tenant will also need to give written consent for an intermediary relationship. The Residential Buyer/Tenant Representation Agreement (TAR 1501) is sufficient for obtaining written consent. Next, you will need to determine whether it's the policy of the brokerage firm to appoint licensees to each side. If so, the broker is prohibited from appointing himself to represent the tenant. The broker will need to appoint another agent within the brokerage firm to represent the tenant. If appointments are made, the owner and the tenant will need to be provided with written notice of the appointment. The Intermediary Relationship Notice (TAR 1409) serves this purpose. Appointments are not mandatory, but they allow licensees to provide advice and opinions to the parties.