Disputes and Complaints

A Higher Professional Standard

A real estate professional’s membership in the Association distinguishes him or her from non-members. REALTORS® voluntarily accept the obligation to meet the standards of practice and conduct outlined in the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) CODE OF ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF PRACTICE.

This Code of Ethics represents the standard of business practices and establishes a public and professional consensus upon which REALTORS® Members are judged by their peers. Adherence to this nationally recognized Code of Ethics assures the public that a REALTOR® will conduct his or her business in accordance with the Code of Ethics and will provide services that both meet a higher standard than those mandated by law and promote the best interests of the clients and the real estate profession.

Members of the Association are also obligated to conduct themselves and their businesses in accordance with the Association’s rules and regulations, Constitution and Bylaws, as well as the MLS rules and the Bylaws and Constitutions of WeSERV and NAR.

The Association has the responsibility to enforce these standards of professional ethics and conduct. For monetary business disputes, this is accomplished through arbitration or mediation proceedings. For violations of the Code of Ethics, this is accomplished through disciplinary proceedings.

Request for Arbitration

Requests for arbitration should be filed within one hundred eighty (180) days after the closing of the transaction, if any, or within one hundred eighty (180) days after the facts constituting the arbitrable matter could have been known in the exercise of reasonable diligence, whichever is later.

File an Arbitration Request

Ombudsman Request 

Many disputes can be resolved by the use of an ombudsman.

We are here to support you and we offer an ombudsman program. This informal mediation process is conducted by a trained volunteer REALTOR® appointed to resolve dispute. Ombudsmen are trained to use constructive communication and to advocate for consensus.

Ombudsman Request