diff --git a/src/app/api/v1/interests/[id]/stage/route.ts b/src/app/api/v1/interests/[id]/stage/route.ts
index 50a5bd3..bd30215 100644
--- a/src/app/api/v1/interests/[id]/stage/route.ts
+++ b/src/app/api/v1/interests/[id]/stage/route.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { NextResponse } from 'next/server';
 
 import { withAuth, withPermission } from '@/lib/api/helpers';
 import { parseBody } from '@/lib/api/route-helpers';
-import { errorResponse } from '@/lib/errors';
+import { errorResponse, ForbiddenError } from '@/lib/errors';
 import { changeInterestStage } from '@/lib/services/interests.service';
 import { changeStageSchema } from '@/lib/validators/interests';
 
@@ -10,6 +10,16 @@ export const PATCH = withAuth(
   withPermission('interests', 'change_stage', async (req, ctx, params) => {
     try {
       const body = await parseBody(req, changeStageSchema);
+      // Override (skip the canTransitionStage table) requires a stricter
+      // permission. Reason field validation lives in the service.
+      if (body.override) {
+        const allowed = ctx.isSuperAdmin || !!ctx.permissions?.interests?.override_stage;
+        if (!allowed) {
+          throw new ForbiddenError(
+            'You do not have permission to override the stage transition rules.',
+          );
+        }
+      }
       const interest = await changeInterestStage(params.id!, ctx.portId, body, {
         userId: ctx.userId,
         portId: ctx.portId,
diff --git a/src/components/admin/roles/role-form.tsx b/src/components/admin/roles/role-form.tsx
index fd89a97..a70dc02 100644
--- a/src/components/admin/roles/role-form.tsx
+++ b/src/components/admin/roles/role-form.tsx
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ const DEFAULT_PERMISSIONS: Record<string, Record<string, boolean>> = {
     edit: false,
     delete: false,
     change_stage: false,
+    override_stage: false,
     generate_eoi: false,
     export: false,
   },
diff --git a/src/components/interests/interest-stage-picker.tsx b/src/components/interests/interest-stage-picker.tsx
index 7a92924..4c71b4e 100644
--- a/src/components/interests/interest-stage-picker.tsx
+++ b/src/components/interests/interest-stage-picker.tsx
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@
 
 import { useState } from 'react';
 import { useMutation, useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query';
-import { Loader2 } from 'lucide-react';
+import { AlertTriangle, Loader2 } from 'lucide-react';
+import { toast } from 'sonner';
 
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
 import { Label } from '@/components/ui/label';
@@ -22,7 +23,8 @@ import {
   SelectValue,
 } from '@/components/ui/select';
 import { apiFetch } from '@/lib/api/client';
-import { PIPELINE_STAGES, STAGE_LABELS, stageLabel } from '@/lib/constants';
+import { usePermissions } from '@/hooks/use-permissions';
+import { PIPELINE_STAGES, STAGE_LABELS, stageLabel, canTransitionStage } from '@/lib/constants';
 
 interface InterestStagePickerProps {
   open: boolean;
@@ -38,20 +40,41 @@ export function InterestStagePicker({
   currentStage,
 }: InterestStagePickerProps) {
   const queryClient = useQueryClient();
+  const { can, isSuperAdmin } = usePermissions();
   const [newStage, setNewStage] = useState<string>(currentStage);
   const [reason, setReason] = useState('');
+  const [override, setOverride] = useState(false);
+
+  // The transition table allows reasonable forward jumps; rejecting a
+  // proposed stage flips the UI into "override" mode if the user has
+  // permission to skip the rules.
+  const transitionAllowed = newStage === currentStage || canTransitionStage(currentStage, newStage);
+  const canOverride = isSuperAdmin || can('interests', 'override_stage');
+  const overrideRequired = !transitionAllowed;
+  const overrideEffective = override || overrideRequired;
+  const reasonRequiredByOverride = overrideEffective;
+  const reasonValid = !reasonRequiredByOverride || reason.trim().length >= 5;
 
   const mutation = useMutation({
     mutationFn: () =>
       apiFetch(`/api/v1/interests/${interestId}/stage`, {
         method: 'PATCH',
-        body: { pipelineStage: newStage, reason: reason || undefined },
+        body: {
+          pipelineStage: newStage,
+          reason: reason || undefined,
+          override: overrideEffective || undefined,
+        },
       }),
     onSuccess: () => {
       queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['interests', interestId] });
       queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['interests'] });
       onOpenChange(false);
       setReason('');
+      setOverride(false);
+      toast.success(overrideEffective ? 'Stage overridden' : 'Stage updated');
+    },
+    onError: (err: unknown) => {
+      toast.error(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Stage change failed');
     },
   });
 
@@ -84,12 +107,52 @@ export function InterestStagePicker({
             </Select>
           </div>
 
+          {overrideRequired && (
+            <div
+              className={`flex items-start gap-2 rounded-md border p-3 text-xs ${
+                canOverride
+                  ? 'border-amber-300 bg-amber-50 text-amber-900'
+                  : 'border-red-300 bg-red-50 text-red-900'
+              }`}
+            >
+              <AlertTriangle className="h-4 w-4 mt-0.5 shrink-0" />
+              {canOverride ? (
+                <span>
+                  This is not a normal forward transition. Override is enabled — supply a reason
+                  below explaining the manual stage change. Recorded in the audit log.
+                </span>
+              ) : (
+                <span>
+                  This stage transition isn&rsquo;t allowed by the pipeline rules. You don&rsquo;t
+                  have permission to override.
+                </span>
+              )}
+            </div>
+          )}
+
+          {transitionAllowed && canOverride && newStage !== currentStage && (
+            <label className="flex items-center gap-2 text-xs text-muted-foreground cursor-pointer">
+              <input
+                type="checkbox"
+                checked={override}
+                onChange={(e) => setOverride(e.target.checked)}
+              />
+              Force-override (skip transition rules) &mdash; requires a reason
+            </label>
+          )}
+
           <div className="space-y-1">
-            <Label>Reason (optional)</Label>
+            <Label>
+              Reason {reasonRequiredByOverride && <span className="text-red-600">*</span>}
+            </Label>
             <Textarea
               value={reason}
               onChange={(e) => setReason(e.target.value)}
-              placeholder="Reason for stage change..."
+              placeholder={
+                reasonRequiredByOverride
+                  ? 'Required: why is this stage being overridden? (min 5 chars)'
+                  : 'Optional: reason for stage change...'
+              }
               rows={2}
             />
           </div>
@@ -105,10 +168,15 @@ export function InterestStagePicker({
           </Button>
           <Button
             onClick={() => mutation.mutate()}
-            disabled={mutation.isPending || newStage === currentStage}
+            disabled={
+              mutation.isPending ||
+              newStage === currentStage ||
+              (overrideRequired && !canOverride) ||
+              !reasonValid
+            }
           >
             {mutation.isPending && <Loader2 className="mr-2 h-4 w-4 animate-spin" />}
-            Confirm
+            {overrideEffective ? 'Override stage' : 'Confirm'}
           </Button>
         </DialogFooter>
       </DialogContent>
diff --git a/src/lib/db/schema/users.ts b/src/lib/db/schema/users.ts
index 580c4f0..ba9936b 100644
--- a/src/lib/db/schema/users.ts
+++ b/src/lib/db/schema/users.ts
@@ -18,6 +18,11 @@ export type RolePermissions = {
     edit: boolean;
     delete: boolean;
     change_stage: boolean;
+    /** Bypass the canTransitionStage table (e.g. mark a contract_signed
+     *  deal as completed without going through deposit_10pct first when
+     *  the data was entered out of order). Audit-logged with the reason
+     *  the rep gives. Sales-team-restricted. */
+    override_stage: boolean;
     generate_eoi: boolean;
     export: boolean;
   };
diff --git a/src/lib/db/seed.ts b/src/lib/db/seed.ts
index 59fae86..43b03d4 100644
--- a/src/lib/db/seed.ts
+++ b/src/lib/db/seed.ts
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ const ALL_PERMISSIONS: RolePermissions = {
     edit: true,
     delete: true,
     change_stage: true,
+    override_stage: true,
     generate_eoi: true,
     export: true,
   },
@@ -110,6 +111,7 @@ const DIRECTOR_PERMISSIONS: RolePermissions = {
     edit: true,
     delete: true,
     change_stage: true,
+    override_stage: true,
     generate_eoi: true,
     export: true,
   },
@@ -185,6 +187,7 @@ const SALES_MANAGER_PERMISSIONS: RolePermissions = {
     edit: true,
     delete: false,
     change_stage: true,
+    override_stage: true,
     generate_eoi: true,
     export: true,
   },
@@ -260,6 +263,7 @@ const SALES_AGENT_PERMISSIONS: RolePermissions = {
     edit: true,
     delete: false,
     change_stage: true,
+    override_stage: true,
     generate_eoi: true,
     export: true,
   },
@@ -335,6 +339,7 @@ const VIEWER_PERMISSIONS: RolePermissions = {
     edit: false,
     delete: false,
     change_stage: false,
+    override_stage: false,
     generate_eoi: false,
     export: false,
   },
@@ -402,6 +407,85 @@ const VIEWER_PERMISSIONS: RolePermissions = {
   },
 };
 
+// Residential Partner — for an outside party who handles residential
+// inquiries on the marina's behalf. Sees only the residential pages and
+// nothing else; can't see marina clients, yachts, berths, EOIs, etc.
+const RESIDENTIAL_PARTNER_PERMISSIONS: RolePermissions = {
+  clients: { view: false, create: false, edit: false, delete: false, merge: false, export: false },
+  interests: {
+    view: false,
+    create: false,
+    edit: false,
+    delete: false,
+    change_stage: false,
+    override_stage: false,
+    generate_eoi: false,
+    export: false,
+  },
+  berths: { view: false, edit: false, import: false, manage_waiting_list: false },
+  documents: {
+    view: false,
+    create: false,
+    edit: false,
+    send_for_signing: false,
+    upload_signed: false,
+    delete: false,
+  },
+  expenses: {
+    view: false,
+    create: false,
+    edit: false,
+    delete: false,
+    export: false,
+    scan_receipt: false,
+  },
+  invoices: {
+    view: false,
+    create: false,
+    edit: false,
+    delete: false,
+    send: false,
+    record_payment: false,
+    export: false,
+  },
+  files: { view: false, upload: false, edit: false, delete: false, manage_folders: false },
+  email: { view: false, send: false, configure_account: false },
+  reminders: {
+    view_own: true,
+    view_all: false,
+    create: true,
+    edit_own: true,
+    edit_all: false,
+    assign_others: false,
+  },
+  calendar: { connect: false, view_events: false },
+  reports: { view_dashboard: false, view_analytics: false, export: false },
+  document_templates: { view: false, generate: false, manage: false },
+  yachts: { view: false, create: false, edit: false, delete: false, transfer: false },
+  companies: { view: false, create: false, edit: false, delete: false },
+  memberships: { view: false, manage: false },
+  reservations: { view: false, create: false, activate: false, cancel: false },
+  admin: {
+    manage_users: false,
+    view_audit_log: false,
+    manage_settings: false,
+    manage_webhooks: false,
+    manage_reports: false,
+    manage_custom_fields: false,
+    manage_forms: false,
+    manage_tags: false,
+    system_backup: false,
+  },
+  residential_clients: { view: true, create: true, edit: true, delete: false },
+  residential_interests: {
+    view: true,
+    create: true,
+    edit: true,
+    delete: false,
+    change_stage: true,
+  },
+};
+
 // ─── Port Definitions ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 const PORT_DEFINITIONS: Array<{
@@ -516,6 +600,15 @@ async function seed() {
       isGlobal: true,
       isSystem: true,
     },
+    {
+      id: crypto.randomUUID(),
+      name: 'residential_partner',
+      description:
+        'External partner who handles residential inquiries. Sees only the residential pages — no marina clients, yachts, berths, or financial data.',
+      permissions: RESIDENTIAL_PARTNER_PERMISSIONS,
+      isGlobal: true,
+      isSystem: true,
+    },
   ];
 
   for (const role of systemRoles) {
diff --git a/src/lib/services/interests.service.ts b/src/lib/services/interests.service.ts
index 60b47b2..642c5ba 100644
--- a/src/lib/services/interests.service.ts
+++ b/src/lib/services/interests.service.ts
@@ -611,9 +611,17 @@ export async function changeInterestStage(
   // Block egregious skips. The transition table allows reasonable forward
   // jumps (e.g. open → eoi_sent) while rejecting things like completed → open
   // or open → contract_signed. Same-stage no-ops are allowed.
-  if (!canTransitionStage(existing.pipelineStage, data.pipelineStage)) {
+  // Override (sales-rep manual fix) bypasses the table — the route handler
+  // gates this on the `interests.override_stage` permission and requires
+  // a reason, recorded in the audit log below.
+  if (!data.override && !canTransitionStage(existing.pipelineStage, data.pipelineStage)) {
     throw new ValidationError(
-      `Cannot move interest from "${existing.pipelineStage}" directly to "${data.pipelineStage}".`,
+      `Cannot move interest from "${existing.pipelineStage}" directly to "${data.pipelineStage}". Use the override option if you need to skip stages — requires a reason.`,
+    );
+  }
+  if (data.override && (!data.reason || data.reason.trim().length < 5)) {
+    throw new ValidationError(
+      'Override requires a reason (min 5 chars) explaining the manual stage change.',
     );
   }
 
diff --git a/src/lib/validators/interests.ts b/src/lib/validators/interests.ts
index 9c00189..fc76663 100644
--- a/src/lib/validators/interests.ts
+++ b/src/lib/validators/interests.ts
@@ -53,6 +53,10 @@ export const updateInterestSchema = createInterestSchema
 export const changeStageSchema = z.object({
   pipelineStage: z.enum(PIPELINE_STAGES),
   reason: z.string().optional(),
+  /** Bypass the canTransitionStage transition table. Requires the caller
+   *  to hold the `interests.override_stage` permission. Reason becomes
+   *  required when override=true (recorded in the audit log). */
+  override: z.boolean().optional(),
 });
 
 // ─── Outcome (Won / Lost) ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
diff --git a/tests/helpers/factories.ts b/tests/helpers/factories.ts
index 4a97310..f7a1e50 100644
--- a/tests/helpers/factories.ts
+++ b/tests/helpers/factories.ts
@@ -309,6 +309,7 @@ export function makeFullPermissions(): RolePermissions {
       edit: true,
       delete: true,
       change_stage: true,
+      override_stage: true,
       generate_eoi: true,
       export: true,
     },
@@ -387,6 +388,7 @@ export function makeViewerPermissions(): RolePermissions {
       edit: false,
       delete: false,
       change_stage: false,
+      override_stage: false,
       generate_eoi: false,
       export: false,
     },
@@ -465,6 +467,7 @@ export function makeSalesAgentPermissions(): RolePermissions {
       edit: true,
       delete: false,
       change_stage: true,
+      override_stage: true,
       generate_eoi: true,
       export: false,
     },
@@ -543,6 +546,7 @@ export function makeSalesManagerPermissions(): RolePermissions {
       edit: true,
       delete: true,
       change_stage: true,
+      override_stage: true,
       generate_eoi: true,
       export: true,
     },