Code of Ethics of the
National Association of Realtors®
Parts of this presentation have been edited by the presenter.
History and Background of the
 Code of Ethics
•	National Association of REALTORS formed in 1908.
•	No license laws at the time.
•	Real estate industry had a history of speculation, exploitation, and disorder.
•	Code of Ethics was adopted in 1913 to establish a professional standard of conduct.
•	Code of Ethics formed the basis for license laws.
•	From its inception, the Code of Ethics required arbitration of monetary disputes between REALTORS.
The Preamble
•	Under all is the land …
•	The Golden Rule.
•	Widely allocated ownership” and “widest distribution of land ownership”
•	Maintain and improve the standards of their calling.
The Preamble
•	Share with fellow REALTORS a common responsibility for the integrity and honor of the real estate profession.
•	Strive to become and remain informed on issues affecting real estate.
•	Willingly share the fruit of your experience and study with others.
The Preamble
•	Identify and take steps to eliminate practices which may damage the public or which might discredit or bring dishonor to the real estate profession.
•	Urge exclusive representation of clients.
•	Do not attempt to gain any unfair advantage over competitors.
•	Refrain from making unsolicited comments about other practitioners.
The Preamble
•	If an opinion is sought about a competitor (or the REALTOR believes comment is necessary), the opinion should be offered in an objective, professional manner.
•	The term REALTOR stands for competency, fairness, high integrity, moral conduct in business relations.
•	No inducement of profit and no instruction from clients can justify departure from these ideals.
The Three Major Sections
•	Duties to Clients and Customers
•	Duties to the Public
•	Duties to REALTORS®
The Structure of the Code of Ethics
•	Articles – broad statements of ethical principles.
•	Standards of Practice – support, interpret, and amplify the Articles under which they are stated.
•	Case Interpretations – specific fact situations to which the Articles and/or Standards of Practice are applied.
•	Only Articles of the Code can be violated, though Standards of Practice can be cited in support of an alleged violation.
Ethics or Arbitration
•	Ethics - Basic Issue - Is there a possible violation of the Code of Ethics?
•	Arbitration - Basic Issue - Is there an arbitrable issue, that is, a money dispute (typically a dispute over which REALTOR is entitled to the cooperative commission in a transaction)?
The Ethics Enforcement Process
•	Filing a Complaint
•	Who can file a complaint?
The Grievance Committee
•	A screening committee comprised of members of the Association appointed to the committee.
•	Key question for the Grievance Committee: 
   “If the allegations in the complaint were taken as true on their face, is it possible that a violation of the Code of Ethics occurred?”
Professional Standards Hearing Panel
•	Function is to conduct a full “due process” hearing with sworn testimony, witnesses and evidence.
•	Hearing Panel is comprised of members of the Professional Standards Committee.
•	After conducting a hearing, the Hearing Panel decides whether there was a violation of the Code of Ethics, proven by clear, strong and convincing proof.
•	If the Hearing Panel finds a violation of the Code of Ethics, the Panel then determines the discipline to be imposed on the violator (respondent).
Authorized Discipline
(and administrative processing fees)
•	Letter of Warning
•	Letter of Reprimand
•	Education
•	Fine not to exceed $5,000
•	Probation for one year or less
•	Suspension for not less than 30 days nor more than one year
•	Expulsion from membership for period of one to three years
•	Suspension or termination of MLS privileges
•	Administrative processing fee (if found in violation) not to exceed $500 (“Court Costs”)
The Arbitration Process
•	Request filed.
•	Arbitration is conducted under Article 17 of the Code of Ethics and the state arbitration statute (if any).
The Arbitration Process
•	Article 17 provides that arbitration occurs under the following circumstances:
•	Contractual disputes or specific non-contractual disputes (see Standard of Practice 17-4);
•	Between REALTORS (principals) associated with different firms;
•	Arising out of their relationship as REALTORS
Grievance Committee
•	Committee performs a screening function similar to review of ethics complaints.
•	Key question for the Grievance Committee:
   “If the allegations in the request for arbitration were taken as true on their face, is the matter at issue related to a real estate transaction and is it properly arbitrable, i.e. is there some basis on which an award could be based?”
Mediation
•	A voluntary process in which disputing parties meet with a mediator appointed by the Association to create a mutually acceptable resolution of the dispute, rather than having a decision imposed by an arbitration hearing panel.
Mediation
•	Mediation can occur before or after the Grievance Committee reviews requests for arbitration, depending on local Association policy.
•	If a dispute is resolved in mediation, the parties sign an agreement spelling out the terms of the settlement, and no arbitration hearing is held.
Professional Standards Hearing Panel
•	Function is to conduct a full “due process” hearing with sworn testimony, counsel, witnesses and documentary evidence.
•	Hearing Panel consists of members of the Professional Standards.
•	After the hearing, the Hearing Panel decides which REALTOR is entitled to the award (typically a disputed commission in a transaction), proven by a preponderance of the evidence.
Payment of the Award
•	Generally, the award of the Panel in an arbitration case can be judicially enforced if not paid by the non-prevailing party.  Some associations have procedures requiring that awards by deposited with the association pending review of the hearing process or during legal challenge.
NAR’s Arbitration Guidelines
•	Found in the Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual.
•	Guidance to Hearing Panels as to how to determine procuring cause in arbitration hearings.
•	Also referred to as “Suggested Factors for Consideration by a Hearing Panel in Arbitration.”
•	Guidelines focus on “procuring cause” as the basis for resolving most commission disputes between brokers.
Key Factors in a
 Procuring Cause Dispute
•	No predetermined rule of entitlement may be established by an association.
•	Hearing Panels should consider the entire course of events.
•	Matters such as the first showing of the property, the writing of the successful offer or the existence of an agency relationship with the buyer are not, in themselves, exclusive determiners of procuring cause/entitlement.
Key Factors in a
 Procuring Cause Dispute
•	The key concepts of procuring cause are referenced in this definition from Black’s Law Dictionary, Fifth Edition:
   “The proximate cause; the cause originating a series of events which, without break in their continuity, result in the accomplishment of the prime object.”
Article 1
•	Protect and promote the interests of the client;
•	This obligation to the client is primary;
•	But must treat all parties honestly, regardless of agency or non-agency relationship.
•	Standard of Practice 1-2 defines terms such as “client,” “customer,” “agent,” and “broker.”
Article 2
•	Avoid exaggeration, misrepresentation and concealment of pertinent facts about the property or the transaction;
•	But there is no obligation to discover latent defects, matters outside scope of license, or matters confidential under agency or non-agency relationships.
Article 3
•	Cooperate with other brokers. 
•	Except when cooperation is not in the best interest of client
•	No obligation (just by cooperating) to share commission or compensate the other broker
Article 4
•	Complete disclosure of:
•	Relationship with buyers and sellers (and their agents) to other party
•	Fact that has ownership interest when selling
•	Fact that offer is from REALTOR or a related party when purchasing
Article 6
•	Not accept a commission, rebate or profit on expenditures made for their client without client’s knowledge and consent
•	Must get permission from client to hire a particular contractor, title company, mortgage company if REALTOR has an ownership interest in the company
•	OR which may pay the REALTOR a fee of any kind
Article 8
•	REALTORS® shall keep in a special account in an appropriate financial institution, separated from their own funds, monies coming into their possession in trust for other persons, such as escrows, trust funds, clients’ monies, and other like items.
•	REALTORS must have separate bank accounts from their personal funds to handle funds of their clients (earnest deposits)
Article 9 
•	Agreements shall be in writing whenever possible;
•	In clear and understandable language;
•	Expressing the specific terms, conditions, obligations and commitments of the parties.
•	A copy of each agreement shall be furnished to each party upon their signing or initialing.
Article 9 
•	Standard of Practice 9-1 requires that reasonable care be used to keep documents current by use of written extensions and amendments.
Article 12
•	The “truth-in-advertising” Article
•	Present a “true picture” in your advertising and representations to the public.
•	Ensure that the professional status of REALTORS is clearly identifiable in any advertising.
Article 16
•	Do not engage in any practice or take any action inconsistent with the agency or other exclusive relationship that other REALTORS® have with clients.
Article 16
•	Examples of issues covered by Article 16 and its Standards of Practice
•	Not intended to prohibit innovative or aggressive business practices
•	Advertising/solicitations which may be received by other REALTORS clients permissible
•	Solicitation of listings and agency relationships of clients of other brokers, unethical when:
•	REALTOR contacts other broker’s client relying on listing information or sign
•	Solicitations are directed at particular clients rather than as part of a general advertising campaign
Article 16 Solicitations (cont)
•	Dealing with other brokers’ clients, may not disparage the other broker or take offers directly to client
•	Obligations when entering into exclusive relationships (REALTOR may not initiate the contact, but may discuss terms of future agreement with client if asked by client)
•	Agency and/or brokerage relationship disclosure (if broker fails to disclose relationship, REALTOR may contact the client to determine the relationship)

The REALTOR Code of Ethics …
•	protects the buying and selling public.
•	promotes a competitive real estate marketplace.
•	enhances the integrity of the industry.
•	is your promise of performance.
•	is your promise of professionalism.