A Listing Agreement is a written contract between a property seller and a licensed real estate brokerage that authorizes the brokerage to market and sell the property. Under the Real Estate Services Act, SBC 2004, c. 42 (RESA) and the BCFSA Rules, the agreement must be in writing and set out material terms including the listing price, term, commission, and type of agency. The brokerage must be licensed by the British Columbia Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) to enter into this contract. Verify all contract terms with a BC lawyer or notary before signing.

Listing Agreements in BC typically run for 60 to 180 days (as of 2026-07-27 — verify current), though the specific term is negotiable between the seller and brokerage. The agreement must specify a definite start and end date under RESA and BCFSA Rules. Once the term expires, the brokerage's authority to market the property ends unless the agreement is renewed in writing. Verify the proposed term and any holdover clauses with a BC lawyer or notary before signing.

A holdover clause (also called a protection period) is a provision that may entitle the brokerage to a commission if the property sells within a specified period after the listing expires to a buyer who was introduced during the listing term. The clause must be clearly stated in the written agreement and comply with BCFSA Rules under the Real Estate Services Act. The duration and scope of holdover periods vary and are negotiable. Verify the specific wording and effect of any holdover clause with a BC lawyer or notary before signing.

A Listing Agreement is a binding contract, and early cancellation typically requires the mutual written consent of both the seller and the brokerage unless the agreement itself provides specific cancellation rights. Under RESA and BCFSA Rules, any amendments or cancellation must be documented in writing. Some agreements may include conditions under which the seller or brokerage can terminate early, but these must be negotiated and clearly stated. Verify cancellation terms and your rights with a BC lawyer or notary before attempting to cancel.

An exclusive listing authorizes one brokerage to market the property, but the property may or may not be entered into the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) database for broad exposure to other brokerages and buyers. An MLS® listing is typically an exclusive listing that is also distributed through the MLS® system, allowing cooperating brokerages to show and sell the property. Both types must comply with RESA and BCFSA Rules regarding written agreements and disclosure. Verify which type and scope of marketing best suits your needs with a BC real estate professional, lawyer, or notary.

Listing Agreements and real estate brokerages in British Columbia are regulated by the British Columbia Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) under the Real Estate Services Act (RESA), SBC 2004, c. 42, and the BCFSA Rules. BCFSA assumed the regulatory functions of the former Real Estate Council of BC (RECBC) on August 1, 2021 (as of 2026-07-27 — verify current). All brokerages and managing brokers must be licensed and comply with BCFSA conduct and practice standards. Verify the licensing status of any brokerage at www.bcfsa.ca or consult a BC lawyer or notary if you have compliance questions.

Under RESA and BCFSA Rules, a Listing Agreement must be in writing and include material terms such as the property description, listing price, term (start and end dates), commission amount or rate, scope of the brokerage's authority, and type of listing (exclusive, MLS®, etc.). The agreement must be signed by both the seller and an authorized representative of the brokerage. Failure to include material terms or obtain proper signatures may affect enforceability. Verify that your agreement contains all required elements with a BC lawyer or notary before signing.

The commission rate or amount in a Listing Agreement is negotiable between the seller and the brokerage and must be clearly stated in the written contract as required by RESA and BCFSA Rules. Commissions are not set by law or regulation in BC and may vary by market, property type, and brokerage. The agreement should specify whether the commission is a percentage of the sale price, a flat fee, or another structure, and how it is distributed if a cooperating brokerage is involved. Verify the proposed commission structure and any related costs with a BC lawyer, notary, or the brokerage before signing.

If a seller signs an exclusive Listing Agreement, they authorize only one brokerage to market the property during the term, and listing with a second brokerage concurrently would breach that contract and may result in liability for dual commissions. A non-exclusive or open listing arrangement may permit multiple brokerages, but this must be clearly agreed in writing and is less common in BC residential practice. Under RESA and BCFSA Rules, all listing arrangements must be documented in writing. Verify your rights and obligations regarding exclusivity with a BC lawyer or notary before engaging any brokerage.

Before signing, a seller should carefully review the listing price, term length, commission structure, marketing plan (including MLS® distribution and advertising), cancellation rights, and any holdover or protection clauses with the brokerage. Under RESA and BCFSA Rules, the seller has the right to understand all material terms and the brokerage's duties. It is standard practice in BC to review the agreement with a BC lawyer or notary to ensure the terms are clear, enforceable, and aligned with the seller's interests. Verify all details with a BC lawyer or notary before signing.