agency

protection period

A protection period, also called a safety or carryover clause, is a provision in a listing or buyer agreement that entitles the broker to a commission if the property is sold, within a set time after the agreement expires, to someone the broker introduced during the agreement term. It prevents parties from waiting out the agreement to avoid paying a fee. Many such clauses do not apply if the owner has relisted with another broker.

Exam tip
Exams test that the buyer must have been introduced during the listing term. Often the clause is void if the seller signs a new exclusive listing.
Example
A listing with a 90-day protection period expires June 1. On July 15 the seller sells to a buyer the broker had shown in May, so the broker earns the commission.

Related terms & state variants

Sources

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Last verified: 2026-10-23