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Ethics – File a Complaint

The Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics was first adopted by the National Association of REALTORS® (formerly the National Association of Real Estate Exchanges) in 1913 and was one of the first codifications of ethical duties adopted by any business group, preceded only by the professions of medicine, law, and engineering.  The Code ensures that consumers are served by requiring REALTORS® to cooperate with each other in furthering their clients' best interests.

One of the most important things that sets REALTORS® apart from other real estate agents is the REALTOR® Code of Ethics.  The term REALTOR® has come to connote competency, fairness, and high integrity resulting from adherence to a lofty ideal of moral conduct in business relations.  No inducement of profit and no instruction from clients ever can justify departure from this ideal.  In the interpretation of this obligation, REALTORS® can take no safer guide than that which has been handed down through the centuries, the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  The Code is designed to establish a public and professional consensus against which the practice and conduct of REALTORS® may be judged.  Adherence to the Code is an obligation voluntarily accepted by REALTORS® to ensure high standards of professional conduct to serve the interests of their clients and customers.

The Code of Ethics is available in several translations. These translations are provided as an informational service to REALTORS® and their clients and customers and are available here:  https://www.nar.realtor/about-nar/governing-documents/code-of-ethics/code-of-ethics-translations. The Code of Ethics in English is the only official version for purposes of enforcement and is available here:

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:ab8e6e98-5208-4bd4-b36d-186e75703ab9

Dispute Resolution

A REALTOR® is more than a real estate agent. REALTORS® have training in ethics for both their dealings with the public and within the real estate community. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics is the cornerstone of the National Association of REALTORS® ethics training. It guides REALTORS® and also shows the public the level of commitment, education, and dedication to their profession that each member of NAR possesses.

Many difficulties between real estate professionals result from misunderstanding, miscommunication, and/or lack of adequate communication. If you have a problem with a real estate professional, you may want to speak with him/her and/or his/her broker-in-charge.  Open constructive discussion often resolves questions or differences, eliminating the need for further action.

If, after discussing matters with your real estate professional or broker-in-charge, you are still not satisfied, you may want to consider filing an ethics complaint.  Keep in mind that:

  • Only REALTORS® are subject to the Code of Ethics of the National Association of REALTORS® and not all real estate licensees are REALTORS®.
  • If the real estate professional you are dealing with is not a REALTOR®, your only recourse may be with the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (919-875-3700), another state licensing agency, or the courts.
  • The Association determines whether the code has been violated, not whether the law or real estate regulations have been broken. Those decisions can only be made by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (919-875-3700), another state licensing agency, or the courts.
  • The Association follows strict discipline guidelines when a member is found in violation of an Ethics complaint. Examples of discipline that may be imposed include education classes, letter of reprimand or warning, a fine payable to the Association, suspension of REALTOR® membership and/or MLS services, etc.  Discipline will NOT include suspension of real estate license - only the North Carolina Real Estate Commission can suspend a license. 

FAQs

There are three processes available:  The Ombudsman Process, filing of a Formal Ethics Complaint, and an Arbitration Request. You will be offered the Ombudsman Process first, which is an optional process. If this does not resolve your dispute, then the Formal Ethics Complaint process will be instituted. If the dispute involves a monetary transaction, you may file an Arbitration Request.