Why do tail periods exist?
They protect an adviser from a seller ending the agreement and then completing with a buyer the adviser found. Without one, an adviser could do the work and lose the fee on a technicality of timing.
What should you check in your agreement?
| Point | Question |
|---|---|
| Duration | How long after the agreement ends does protection last? |
| Who is covered | Introduced buyers only, or anyone approached or listed? |
| Fee trigger | Signing, exchange or completion within the period? |
| List | Does the adviser have to give you a written list? |
| Overlap | What if a new adviser also deals with that buyer? |
This is general information, not legal advice. The exact effect of exclusivity, notice, protected-buyer and fee clauses depends on the wording of the agreement you signed, so ask a solicitor to review it where anything is unclear.
Authoritative UK sources
How does a tail period affect a new adviser?
A new adviser should know which buyers are protected so they can be excluded or handled by agreement. Otherwise you could face two fee claims on one sale.
What should you do next?
- 01Find the tail or protection clause in your agreement.
- 02Ask for a written list of protected buyers.
- 03Note the end date of the protection period.
- 04Share the list with any new adviser before outreach.
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