On January 1, 2026, TREC’s new housekeeping bill went into effect and requires your agents to obtain a written agreement with prospective buyers before showing them residential property for sale. This written agreement can be in the form of a representation agreement or in the form of a non-representation showing-only agreement, provided certain conditions are met, as noted below.
TREC’s new housekeeping bill allows agents to show residential property to prospective buyers without representation if the following conditions are met:
1. Your agent has not agreed to represent the prospective buyer
2. Your agent is not acting as the prospective buyer’s agent at the time of the showing
3. Your agent does not provide opinions or advice regarding the property or real estate transactions
4. Your agent does not perform any other act of real estate brokerage activity.
If your agent doesn’t represent the seller, he or she must provide the Information About Brokerage Services (TXR 2501, TREC IABS 1-2) prior to showing. If your agent does represent the seller, your agent can also show the property without representing the prospective buyer but must disclose—either orally or in writing—who your agent represents. The Representation Disclosure form (TXR 1417) may be used to disclose who your agent represents.
For purposes of showing with representation, Texas REALTORS® offers to members the more comprehensive Buyer/Tenant Representation Agreement – Long Form (TXR 1501), and the more limited scope Buyer/Tenant Representation Agreement – Short Form (TXR 1507).
For purposes of showing without representation, Texas REALTORS® offers to members the Unrepresented Customer Showing Form (TXR 1508). This form complies with the requirements outlined above and includes a statement that the broker is not representing the seller or the prospective buyer.
When showing without representation, your agents are only allowed to show the property
The Unrepresented Customer Showing Form clearly states that the form only covers showing services like property access. You are allowed to confirm property details such as the size.
If your agent provides any other brokerage activity, such as providing advice, your agent needs a written representation agreement. If the prospective buyer wants to present an offer or hire your agent, your agent needs a written representation agreement such as one of the Buyer/Tenant Representation Agreement forms.
The Unrepresented Customer Showing Form terminates at the end of the property showing or, at the latest, 14 calendar days from the last date initialed.
The Buyer/Tenant Representation Agreement forms work for showings, too
If you aren’t comfortable with allowing your agents to show residential property without representation, you can always require your agents to use one of the Buyer/Tenant Representation Agreement forms.
The Buyer/Tenant Representation Agreement – Short Form can limit your agent’s representation to a single day or showing. This form specifically allows you to charge a fee for showing, though whether you charge a fee is negotiable.