The plaintiffs, licensed real estate agents, sought commissions from the defendant Fufa Limited for the sale of a multi-residential property.
They claimed entitlement based on alleged verbal agreements, or alternatively, unjust enrichment and quantum meruit.
The court found no valid verbal agreement for commission, noting the absence of essential terms and the existence of an exclusive written listing agreement with another brokerage (ReMax) that had expired.
The plaintiffs also failed to establish they were the "effective cause" of the sale due to intervening events and significant differences in the final sale terms.
Claims for unjust enrichment and quantum meruit were dismissed as they could not circumvent the requirements of the Real Estate Business Brokers Act and there was insufficient evidence to quantify damages for services rendered.
