2005 Washington Revised Code RCW 18.85.310: Broker\'s records — Separate accounts — Interest-bearing trust accounts — Disposition of interest.

(1) Every licensed real estate broker shall keep adequate records of all real estate transactions handled by or through the broker. The records shall include, but are not limited to, a copy of the earnest money receipt, and an itemization of the broker's receipts and disbursements with each transaction. These records and all other records hereinafter specified shall be open to inspection by the director or the director's authorized representatives.

     (2) Every real estate broker shall also deliver or cause to be delivered to all parties signing the same, at the time of signing, conformed copies of all earnest money receipts, listing agreements and all other like or similar instruments signed by the parties, including the closing statement.

     (3) Every real estate broker shall also keep separate real estate fund accounts in a recognized Washington state depositary authorized to receive funds in which shall be kept separate and apart and physically segregated from licensee broker's own funds, all funds or moneys of clients which are being held by such licensee broker pending the closing of a real estate sale or transaction, or which have been collected for said client and are being held for disbursement for or to said client and such funds shall be deposited not later than the first banking day following receipt thereof.

     (4) Separate accounts comprised of clients' funds required to be maintained under this section, with the exception of property management trust accounts, shall be interest-bearing accounts from which withdrawals or transfers can be made without delay, subject only to the notice period which the depository institution is required to reserve by law or regulation.

     (5) Every real estate broker shall maintain a pooled interest-bearing escrow account for deposit of client funds, with the exception of property management trust accounts, which are nominal. As used in this section, a "nominal" deposit is a deposit of not more than ten thousand dollars.

     The interest accruing on this account, net of any reasonable and appropriate financial institution service charges or fees, shall be paid to the state treasurer for deposit in the Washington housing trust fund created in RCW 43.185.030 and the real estate education account created in RCW 18.85.317. Appropriate service charges or fees are those charges made by financial institutions on other demand deposit or "now" accounts. An agent may, but shall not be required to, notify the client of the intended use of such funds.

     (6) All client funds not required to be deposited in the account specified in subsection (5) of this section shall be deposited in:

     (a) A separate interest-bearing trust account for the particular client or client's matter on which the interest will be paid to the client; or

     (b) The pooled interest-bearing trust account specified in subsection (5) of this section if the parties to the transaction agree.

     The department of licensing shall promulgate regulations which will serve as guidelines in the choice of an account specified in subsection (5) of this section or an account specified in this subsection.

     (7) For an account created under subsection (5) of this section, an agent shall direct the depository institution to:

     (a) Remit interest or dividends, net of any reasonable and appropriate service charges or fees, on the average monthly balance in the account, or as otherwise computed in accordance with an institution's standard accounting practice, at least quarterly, to the state treasurer for deposit in the housing trust fund created by RCW 43.185.030 and the real estate education account created in RCW 18.85.317; and

     (b) Transmit to the director of community, trade, and economic development a statement showing the name of the person or entity for whom the remittance is spent, the rate of interest applied, and the amount of service charges deducted, if any, and the account balance(s) of the period in which the report is made, with a copy of such statement to be transmitted to the depositing person or firm.

     (8) The director shall forward a copy of the reports required by subsection (7) of this section to the department of licensing to aid in the enforcement of the requirements of this section consistent with the normal enforcement and auditing practices of the department of licensing.

     (9) This section does not relieve any real estate broker from any obligation with respect to the safekeeping of clients' funds.

     (10) Any violation by a real estate broker of any of the provisions of this section, or RCW 18.85.230, shall be grounds for revocation of the licenses issued to the broker.

[1999 c 48 § 1; 1995 c 399 § 7; 1993 c 50 § 2; 1988 c 286 § 2; 1987 c 513 § 1; 1957 c 52 § 44; 1953 c 235 § 13; 1951 c 222 § 19. Prior: 1947 c 203 § 4, part; 1945 c 111 § 7, part; 1943 c 118 § 4, part; 1941 c 252 § 18, part; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 8340-41, part; prior: 1925 ex.s. c 129 § 12, part.]

Effective date -- 1993 c 50: See note following RCW 18.85.220.      Effective date -- 1987 c 513: "This act shall take effect January 1, 1988." [1987 c 513 § 15.]      Severability -- 1987 c 513: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1987 c 513 § 13.]