For whose false information would a listing firm be held responsible despite lack of knowledge?

The listing firm would be held responsible for the false information provided by the listing licensee because of the principle of vicarious liability. In the context of real estate transactions, the listing licensee acts as an agent of the firm, and thus, the firm holds the legal responsibility for their actions, even if the firm was not aware of the false information. This accountability emphasizes the importance of ensuring that all agents comply with ethical standards and verify the accuracy of the information they present.

The rationale behind this is that when a firm employs agents, it assumes responsibility for their conduct in the course of business. This means that if a licensee misrepresents or provides false information, the firm is liable for that action. This encourages firms to maintain strict oversight and training of their agents to avoid such situations.

The other options would not result in the firm being held responsible in the same way. The seller may be responsible for the accuracy of their own disclosures, the buyer is typically seeking information and does not have the same duty to provide accurate information about a listing, and the firm itself, while responsible for its agents’ actions, does not provide information independently without its licensees. Therefore, the relationship between the listing firm and the listing licensee is the key