Ohio: buyer-agreement requirements.

This page lists what Ohio requires, at the state level, before a licensee represents a buyer: who regulates real-estate licensees, whether a written buyer agreement is required by state law or rule, the statute or rule that says so, and whether the state mandates an agency-disclosure form or publishes an approved agreement form.

It is built for broker-owners and transaction coordinators who need the state rule in one place before setting office policy. Read it alongside your brokerage's own forms and your broker of record's guidance — the written-agreement question became a national practice issue in 2024, but the rule that binds you is your state's, and it is the state rule this page cites.

Ohio, field by field.

Regulating authority

Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing — Ohio Dept. of Commerce (Ohio Real Estate Commission)

Written agreement required by state law

Yes

Statute or rule

Ohio Rev. Code § 4735.55 (agency agreements to be in writing) and § 4735.56 (brokerage policy on agency). Read at codes.ohio.gov.

Agency disclosure form

Partly verified. § 4735.56 requires each brokerage to develop a WRITTEN BROKERAGE POLICY ON AGENCY containing six statutory items, and a licensee working directly with a purchaser must provide it prior to the earliest of several listed actions — including showing property, discussing offers, or initiating a financial evaluation. That policy is developed by the brokerage, not prescribed by the Division. Ohio separately uses an Agency Disclosure Statement; we did not verify its governing section or its current form.

State-approved form available

Not verified

Notes. § 4735.55 requires a written agency agreement before making an offer to purchase residential real property on behalf of a purchaser (and, on the other side, before advertising or showing residential real property on behalf of a seller, or making an offer to lease residential premises for a term exceeding eighteen months on behalf of a tenant). Both parties must sign and date it and the licensee must promptly give the client a copy. Required contents: an expiration date; Ohio and federal fair housing statements; a definition of blockbusting and a statement that it is illegal; HUD's equal housing opportunity logotype; a statement that the licensee is appointed as agent of the client and whether the relationship is exclusive or nonexclusive; the broker's compensation terms; and 'a conspicuous statement that broker fees and commissions are not set by law, are fully negotiable, and may be paid by the seller, the buyer, the landlord, the tenant, or a third party.' Ohio therefore requires the negotiability statement by statute, not only by MLS rule.