File a Complaint

Filing an Ethics Complaint?

We take complaints seriously and are committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and ethics within the real estate industry. If you have encountered behavior or practices that you believe may violate our Code of Ethics or MLS Rules and Regulations, we encourage you to file a complaint using the form provided.

WHO CAN FILE AN ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST A REALTOR®?

The National Association’s Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual provides:

Any person, whether a member or not, having reason to believe that a member is guilty of any conduct subject to disciplinary action, may file a complaint in writing with the secretary of the Association of REALTORS®, dated and signed by the complainant, stating the facts on which it is based, provided that the complaint is filed within one hundred eighty (180) days after the facts constituting the matter complained of could have been known in the exercise of reasonable diligence.

WHAT ARE THE CODE OF ETHICS?

The REALTORS® Code of Ethics consists of seventeen (17) Articles. The duties imposed by many of the Articles are explained and illustrated through accompanying Standards of Practice or case interpretations.

View Code of Ethics

WHAT SPECIFIC INFORMATION SHOULD THE COMPLAINT CONTAIN?

The complaint should contain the detailed facts and dates, but should avoid opinions, recriminations and personalities. Complaints must be typewritten.

WHAT IF I NEED HELP?

Ask the Association Executive. They will guide you through the process.

WHAT IF I DON’T KNOW IF AN ETHICS COMPLAINT IS APPROPRIATE FOR MY SITUATION?

The basis for filing an ethics complaint against a REALTOR® should be an allegation by the complainant that a REALTOR® violated one or more of the Articles of the Code of Ethics of the National Association of REALTORS®. A charge of violating the law or the real estate regulations of the state is not a matter that can be considered by the Association of REALTORS®

WHO REVIEWS MY COMPLAINT ONCE I FILE IT WITH THE ASSOCIATION?

The Grievance Committee is charged with preliminary evaluation and assessment of whether complaints should be dismissed or scheduled for hearing.

WHAT DOES THE GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE DO?

The Grievance Committee does not hold hearings or make decisions regarding ethical violations. Rather, the Grievance Committee conducts a review of the complaint and makes such investigation as deemed necessary to determine whether the complaint could be construed as a Code violation if the complaint is taken as true on its face. If so, the Grievance Committee will refer it to the Professional Standards Committee for hearing.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR A HEARING?

Familiarize yourself with the hearing procedures that will be followed. In particular you will want to know about challenging potential panel members, your right to counsel, calling witnesses, and the burdens and standards of proof that apply.

IS THERE AN APPEAL PROCESS IF I DON’T AGREE WITH A DECISION?

Dismissal of a complaint by the Grievance Committee may be appealed to the Board of Directors within a time-frame specified by the association’s bylaws.

WHAT INFORMATION IS CONSIDERED ON APPEAL?

Only materials considered by the Grievance Committee can be reviewed by the Directors with the appeal. The parties do not have the right to appear before the Board of Directors. The Directors may affirm the Grievance Committee’s dismissal or may refer the matter for hearing.

WHAT ACTION CAN THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TAKE?

The Directors may adopt or modify the recommendation of the hearing panel, including the discipline proposed. The Directors may reduce the recommended discipline or refer the matter back to the panel for reconsideration. The Directors may dismiss the recommendation of the hearing panel if they feel it is not supported by the panel’s finding of fact.

WHEN IS A DECISION FINAL?

The decision of the Board of Directors is final, and there is no appeal to the state association or to the National Association of REALTORS®.

Arbitration Complaint

Filing a request for Arbitration

Complainants must submit along with Arbitration form A-1, a narrative description of the events that lead to the request. You must also include copies of all relevant real estate documents in your possession such as Listing Agreement, Purchase Agreement, MLS tickets, Agency Agreements or any other documents which support your claim.

The time limitation for filing an Arbitration complaint as written within the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual states:

Arbitration must 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.

There is a $500 arbitration-filling fee to be submitted along with the Request for Arbitration payable to DABOR. Once we receive your completed Form #A-1, narrative, pertinent documents and filing fee, we will forward it to the Grievance Committee for review at their next meeting.

The function of the Grievance Committee is to make only such preliminary review and evaluation of the request for arbitration as is required to determine (1) whether the matter is properly arbitrable; (2) whether arbitration is mandatory or voluntary based upon the requirements of Part Ten, Section 44 of the Manual; and (3) whether the proper parties are named in the request for arbitration. The Grievance Committee does not hold hearings and does not determine entitlement to awards.

MEMBERS

Click here for additional information on how to file an Arbitration.

NONMEMBERS

Click here for additional information on how to file an Arbitration.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THAT MAY BE HELPFUL:

1. State of Michigan Licensing Authority http://www.michigan.gov/lara
2. State of Michigan Attorney General http://www.michigan.gov/ag/
3. Michigan REALTORS® http://mirealtor.com/
4. National Association of REALTORS® http://www.realtor.org/

Member Resources

Public Resources