Professional Standards

 

What sets REALTORS® apart from other real estate practitioners is Pathways to Professionalism (link to the page) and their acceptance and adherence to the Code of Ethics.

As a chartered member of the National Association of REALTORS®, the Monmouth Ocean Regional REALTORS® is responsible for enforcing the REALTOR® Code of Ethics of the National Association of REALTORS®

Pursuant to the Bylaws of the National Association of REALTORS®, member compliance with the Code of Ethics is a condition of membership in the Association. The Code includes the professional responsibilities and expectations of REALTOR® members to their clients, customers, fellow REALTORS® and the general public.

When a dispute arises involving a REALTOR® member, the professional standards process is utilized by member boards as a way to resolve the matter.

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Ethics Complaint

An “Ethics Complaint” may be filed by a member of the public or by a REALTOR®, alleging specific violations of one or more of the seventeen Articles of the Code of Ethics of the National Association of REALTORS®. Hearing panel decisions are reached after careful review of evidence supplied by complainants and respondents.

If you feel you have a grievance, you may want to consider filing an ethics complaint.

Should you wish to file an Ethics violation against a REALTOR® member, please be sure to check out our directory to verify that the individual is a member here.  The Complainant should review the Standards of Practice and the Articles of the Code of Ethics, compose a letter, siting the article(s) they feel the respondent is in violation.

The letter along with substantiating documentation should be submitted for review to:

Monmouth Ocean Regional REALTORS®
4000 Rt. 66, One Hovchild Plaza, Suite 210
Tinton Falls, NJ  07753
Attn:  Grievance Committee

Hearing panel decisions are reached after careful review of supporting documentation supplied by complainants and respondents.  For assistance with filing an ethics violation against a member, please contact Gwen Pezzicola at 732-918-1340 x140 or [email protected]

Request for Arbitration

Another type of action is called a “Request for Arbitration.” An arbitration hearing, or the alternative service of mediation, settles disputes between REALTORS® that arise out of the business of real estate.  In certain circumstances a client of a REALTOR® may also invoke Arbitration.

The Grievance and Professional Standards committees are composed of experienced REALTORS® well trained in state and association standards. They are responsible for ensuring due process is afforded to all parties and that all matters are handled expeditiously and in the strictest confidence.  Boards and Associations of REALTORS® are responsible for enforcing the REALTOR® Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics imposes duties above and in addition to those imposed by law or regulation which apply only to real estate professionals who choose to become REALTORS®.

Many difficulties between real estate professionals (whether REALTORS® or not) result from misunderstanding, miscommunication, or lack of adequate communication. If you have a problem with a real estate professional, you may want to speak with them or with a principal broker in the firm. Open, constructive discussion often resolves questions or differences, eliminating the need for further action.

Code of Ethics and Professional Standards

As a chartered member of the National Association of REALTORS®, the Monmouth Ocean Regional REALTORS® is responsible for enforcing the REALTOR® Code of Ethics of the National Association of REALTORS®. Our REALTOR® members agree to subscribe to the Code in their daily business practices. The Code of Ethics imposes duties above and in addition to those imposed by law or regulation which apply only to real estate professionals who choose to become REALTORS®.

 

 

Code of Ethics Options

From time to time, disputes may arise in real estate transactions between REALTOR® and REALTOR® or between a member of the public and a REALTOR®. Many common disputes arise from misunderstanding, miscommunication, or lack of adequate communication. If you have a problem with a real estate professional, you may want to speak with them or with a principal broker in the firm. Open, constructive discussion often resolves questions or differences, eliminating the need for further action.

Ombudsman Services

We encourage you to take advantage of our Ombudsman Program as the first step.  It is a free service in a very informal setting and a great first step to resolve what is most often a misunderstanding.

It all starts with a phone call.  Contact our Professional Standards Manager Gwen Pezzicola at 732-918-1340 x140.