Bloor v. Fritz
Washington Court of Appeals
180 P.3d 805 (2008)
The Fritzes (defendants) previously rented their house to tenants who ran an illegal meth lab there, a fact known to the Fritzes and their agent Miller (defendant) after a police raid. When the Fritzes decided to sell, Miller represented both them and the out-of-state buyers, the Bloors (plaintiffs), without ever disclosing the property's drug-lab history. After closing, the Bloors learned of the house's reputation, and a health department investigation found narcotic contamination, forcing them to vacate and pay for decontamination. The trial court entered judgment against the Fritzes and Miller, and Miller appealed.
Whether a real estate agent may have a duty to disclose material facts relating to a property transaction.