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Paper 2 · Lesson 2 — Code of Practice, Professional Conduct and Conflicts of Interest

Advertising and marketing

Ad particulars/consent, name rules, prohibited phrases, dummy ads, discriminatory copy, sign/signboard/booth approvals, foreign-property ads, joint marketing.

2 questionsAnswers & explanations includedFree — no sign-up

Question 1

Eager to get the new listing in front of buyers over the weekend, she pauses over what she actually needs from the owner before a single advertisement goes out. A salesperson is keen to get a newly listed property in front of buyers quickly and wonders what she must have in hand from the owner before she puts out any advertisement for it.

Complete the sentence: before advertising the property, she must first obtain ______.

  1. A. the consent of the vendor's immediate neighbours
  2. B. the prior written consent of the vendor
  3. C. the approval of the relevant Town Council
  4. D. the vendor's verbal consent, to be confirmed in writing later
Show the answer and full explanation

Answer: B

The rule. Before advertising a property, a salesperson must obtain the prior written consent of the vendor. A verbal go-ahead, or the consent of neighbours or a Town Council, is not enough.

Why B is correct. The prior written consent of the vendor is what she must have in hand before placing any advertisement.

The other options.

  • A requires the neighbours' consent, which is irrelevant.
  • C requires the Town Council's approval, which is not the advertising requirement.
  • D accepts verbal consent to be confirmed later. It must be written and prior.

Exam note. Written vendor consent, before advertising. A verbal nod is not enough.

Before advertising a property, a salesperson must obtain the prior written consent of the vendor →

Question 2

A salesperson plans to put up an outdoor advertising signboard on a commercial building's frontage to promote a project. She is unsure whether she may simply display it or whether some authority must license it first.

Which statement is correct?

  1. A. She must get a Building and Construction Authority licence for the signboard.
  2. B. She may display it freely, an agent being entitled to advertise a project outdoors.
  3. C. She needs approval only from her own estate agent for the signboard's content.
  4. D. She must have the URA vet and approve the wording before the signboard goes up.
Show the answer and full explanation

Answer: A

The rule. Outdoor advertising signs and signboards are regulated by the Building and Construction Authority, which requires a licence for their display. A salesperson cannot simply put one up, and the URA does not vet advertising wording.

Why A is correct. To display the outdoor signboard she must obtain a licence from the Building and Construction Authority, which regulates such signs.

The other options.

  • B treats outdoor advertising as freely available. A BCA licence is required.
  • C requires only her estate agent's approval. The regulator is the BCA, not the agency.
  • D sends the wording to the URA for vetting. The URA does not vet advertisement content.

Exam note. Outdoor advertising signboards need a BCA licence. The agency's say-so is not enough, and the URA does not approve the wording.

A salesperson cannot simply put one up, and the URA does not vet advertising wording →

Practise it under exam conditions

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