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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 18. Professional And Occupational Licensing
Agency 25. Auctioneers Board
Chapter 21. Regulations of the Virginia Auctioneers Board
12/31/2024

18VAC25-21-150. Escrow funds.

A. Proceeds of a personal property auction not disbursed to the owner on auction day shall be deposited in an auction escrow account by the licensee no later than the next banking day following the date of auction or sale of the goods, whichever occurs first.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A of this section, proceeds that are paid via credit card, debit card, check card, or any other electronic funds transfer (EFT) method shall be deposited into an auction escrow account upon receipt from the originating source.

C. The auction escrow account shall be used solely for the preservation and guarantee of auction proceeds until disbursed at settlement. Funds for any other purpose shall not be commingled with the auction escrow account. Contingency accounts established to guarantee checks accepted on the owner's behalf shall not be considered commingling of funds. Moneys due to the licensee shall not be withdrawn from the auction escrow account until final settlement is made with the owner.

D. Funds to be deposited in the escrow account may include moneys that shall ultimately belong to the licensee for incidental expenses per the terms of the contract. Such moneys shall be separately identified in the escrow account records and shall be paid to the licensee by a check drawn on the escrow account when the funds become due to the licensee. The fact that an escrow account contains money that may ultimately belong to the licensee does not constitute "commingling of funds," provided that there are periodic withdrawals of said funds at intervals of not more than six months and that the licensee can at all times accurately identify the total funds in that account that belong to the licensee.

E. On funds placed in an account bearing interest, written disclosure in the contract of sale or lease at the time of contract or lease writing shall be made to the principals to the transaction regarding the disbursement of interest.

F. Auctioneers and auction firms shall use federally insured depositories in the Commonwealth of Virginia. All accounts, checks, and bank statements shall be labeled "escrow" and the accounts shall be designated as "escrow" accounts with the financial institution where such accounts are established.

G. Proceeds due from the sale of goods other than real property shall be disbursed to the owner no later than 30 days after the date of each auction.

H. Funds from a real estate auction shall be held in escrow until settlement in accordance with the agreement of sale.

I. If the owner's goods are not sold in a single auction, proceeds due shall be disbursed to the owner within 30 days after each auction for goods other than real property, or in accordance with the agreement of sale for the sale of real property. Notice must be given to the owner of tentative date of auction, or date of return to the owner, of the remaining goods.

J. The balance in the escrow accounts shall be sufficient at all times to account for all funds that are designated to be held by the licensee. A licensee shall not disburse or cause to be disbursed moneys from an escrow account unless sufficient money is on deposit in that account to the credit of the individual client or property involved.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-602 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR150-01-2:1 § 4.6, eff. August 1, 1995; amended, Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 2009; Volume 25, Issue 24, eff. October 1, 2009; Volume 32, Issue 1, eff. November 1, 2015.

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