New licensees and new brokers run into the Consumer Protection Notice before they ever get near a contract — it's the notice TREC requires posted in the office and linked from the website, separate from anything signed in a transaction. The current version is TREC No. CN 1-5, adopted by reference in TREC's own rule at 22 TAC §531.18, and it became mandatory for use on September 1, 2023, replacing CN 1-4. The update was driven by legislation from the 88th Texas Legislature and removed a reference to the real estate inspection recovery fund, which was repealed that session. Note: TREC communicated September 1, 2023 as the date agents needed to be using CN 1-5, but the rule text itself (22 TAC §531.18) wasn't formally amended to reference CN 1-5 until November 29, 2023 (48 TexReg 6911) — a gap worth knowing if you're checking compliance-date documentation precisely. The form itself carries no separate printed revision date — just the "CN 1-5" designation at the bottom of the page.
Who has to provide it
Per 22 TAC §531.18, real estate brokers, sales agents, inspectors, and easement or right-of-way (ERW) agents must all provide the Consumer Protection Notice. In practice, a broker's physical posting at the office satisfies the display requirement for agents working out of that location — the rule ties the office posting to "each place of business the broker maintains." The website and social-media link requirement applies separately to whichever license holder maintains that particular site or profile.
Where it has to be posted
The rule spells out two required channels, plus a specific carve-out for social media:
- In the office. Displayed in a readily noticeable location in each place of business the broker maintains.
- On the website. A link on the homepage of each business website, in a readily noticeable place, labeled either "Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice" in at least 10-point font, or "TREC Consumer Protection Notice" in at least 12-point font.
- On social media, if the profile qualifies as a business website. The link can sit on the account holder's profile itself, or on a separate page or website reached through a direct link from the platform or profile.
Linking directly to TREC's own hosted copy of the form means the link stays current automatically whenever TREC updates the notice — the URL doesn't change even when the form version does. Agents or brokers who instead uploaded their own PDF copy of an older version needed to manually swap it out for CN 1-5.
What the notice actually says
The Consumer Protection Notice is short — a single page. It tells consumers, in TREC's own language:
- TREC regulates real estate brokers and sales agents, real estate inspectors, easement and right-of-way agents, and timeshare interest providers.
- Consumers can find more information and check a license holder's status at www.trec.texas.gov.
- Consumers can send a complaint against a license holder to TREC, using a complaint form available on TREC's website.
- TREC administers the Real Estate Recovery Trust Account, which may be used to satisfy a civil court judgment against a broker, sales agent, or ERW agent, if certain requirements are met.
- Real estate inspectors are required to maintain errors and omissions insurance to cover losses from a negligent or incompetent inspection — with a note that inspectors may limit liability through contract provisions, and consumers who don't understand a contract's terms should consult an attorney.
It closes with TREC's mailing address and phone number for questions about a license holder's activities, the complaint process, or the Recovery Trust Account.