Which concept allows fiduciary duties to extend beyond the termination of the agency?

Confidentiality is a crucial concept in real estate agency relationships that establishes the expectation that certain sensitive information shared between the client and the agent must be protected and not disclosed, even after the agency relationship has ended. This duty is particularly important because it maintains the trust and integrity of the relationship, ensuring that personal information about clients, their transactions, and any strategic decisions made in the course of the agent’s work are kept private.

This fiduciary duty to maintain confidentiality does not cease with the termination of the agency. It is designed to protect clients from potential harm that could arise from disclosing personal or sensitive information to third parties. In contrast, the other concepts listed, such as disclosure, obedience, and accounting of funds, are more typically tied to the agency relationship's duration. For instance, while an agent is obligated to report and manage funds accurately during the agency relationship, that obligation typically does not extend indefinitely after the relationship ends. Similarly, obedience pertains to following lawful instructions while the agency is active. Thus, confidentiality stands out as a duty that continues beyond the termination of the agency, ensuring enduring protection for the client’s private information.