If TREC finds that a sales agent discriminated against a potential buyer based on the buyer's protected class, what is the Commission empowered to do?

When the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) finds that a sales agent has discriminated against a potential buyer based on the buyer's protected class, it is authorized to take serious disciplinary actions against the agent. One of the primary consequences includes the ability to suspend or revoke the sales agent's license. This authority is rooted in the need to uphold fair housing laws and maintain ethical standards within the real estate profession.

Discrimination in real estate transactions is a violation of both state and federal law, and TREC has a mandate to ensure compliance with these laws. By suspending or revoking an agent's license, TREC effectively removes the agent's legal ability to operate in the field, thereby deterring similar future behaviors and protecting consumers from discriminatory practices.

The options involving fines, additional training, or lawsuits do not directly reflect the immediacy and severity of the response warranted by such a serious violation, as suspending or revoking a license serves as a more definitive action to protect the integrity of the real estate profession and the rights of consumers.