When does a broker's liability for refunding to the recovery fund begin?

A broker's liability for refunding to the recovery fund begins after the recovery fund has been drawn upon. This means that if the fund is used to compensate someone who has suffered a loss due to the actions of a broker, that broker is responsible for reimbursing the fund. The purpose of the recovery fund is to protect consumers in cases where agents or brokers do not fulfill their obligations, and the liability arises out of the requirement for brokers to restore the fund so that it remains available for future claims. The timing of this liability is crucial because it connects directly to instances where the fund has been utilized, hence establishing responsibility to refund based on actual usage of the fund rather than hypothetical or preventive scenarios.

In contrast, other options suggest that liability begins at the application stage, after a first violation, or at the time of license renewal. However, none of these scenarios trigger liability for refunds, as the focus is specifically on when the recovery fund has been utilized and the need for a broker to contribute to restoring its balance.