Q: As a broker, what do I need to retain in my office files?
A: According to Section 475.5015, Florida Statutes, a broker must retain in his or her office files “at least one legible copy of all books, accounts, and records pertaining to her or his real estate brokerage business for at least five years from the date of receipt of any money, fund, deposit, check or draft entrusted to the broker, or in the event no funds are entrusted to the broker, for at least five years from the date of execution by any party of any listing agreement, offer to purchase, rental property management agreement, rental or lease agreement or any other written or verbal agreement which engages the services of the broker.” In the event that litigation arises as a result of any transaction, the records must be maintained for at least two years after the conclusion of the civil action or the conclusion of any appellate proceeding, whichever is later, but in no case less than five years.