Which situation allows someone to act as a management or rental agent without a real estate license?

The correct answer is based on the specific provisions within real estate licensing laws that address who can perform property management or rental activities without being licensed. In many jurisdictions, including West Virginia, individuals are allowed to manage the property of one person without needing a real estate license, as long as they do not engage in activities that require licensing, like negotiating leases or collecting rent for multiple properties.

When managing just one property on behalf of a single owner, the relationship can often be considered more personal, implying a lesser need for formal licensing compared to managing several properties, which would typically require a licensed agent to ensure compliance with more extensive regulations and protections for tenants.

Options involving managing multiple properties, working for a corporation, or having a written agreement with the owner usually involve circumstances that necessitate a real estate license to ensure that property management activities are conducted within the legal frameworks designed to protect both property owners and tenants. These frameworks are in place to maintain professional standards, uphold ethical practices, and establish accountability within the real estate industry. Therefore, the limitation to managing just one property is a significant factor for why a license is not required in this context.