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Consumers: Ethics Complaint

REALTORS® are held to a strict Code of Ethics established by the National Association of REALTORS®, which goes beyond standard licensing requirements. If you believe a REALTOR® has violated these ethical standards, you have the right to file a complaint for a formal review.

CONTACT THE BROKER

Contact the person's broker to inform him/her what happened. It could be a quick resolution.  

Find Broker's Contact Information

 

USE THE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM

A volunteer from the Ohio REALTORS® Professional Standards Committee will listen to your concerns, explain possible resolutions and answer questions.

 

Request an Ombudsman

FILE AN ETHICS COMPLAINT

If contacting the broker and talking to an Ombudsman don't resolve the problem, you can file a formal complaint.

File an Ethics Complaint

FILING A COMPLAINT

Before you file a complaint, click here to review important information

  1. Anyone can file an ethics complaint against a REALTOR® they believe has violated the NAR Code of Ethics .
  2. Filing a Complaint: Complaints are submitted online through the Ohio REALTORS® Professional Standards program.
  3. Review and Evaluation: The complaint is reviewed by a Grievance Review Panel to determine whether it should proceed to a hearing or be dismissed.
  4. Hearing: If forwarded, a formal hearing is conducted in front of a panel of REALTORS®.
  5. Determination and Action: The panel determines whether a violation occurred and, if so, what disciplinary action is appropriate.
  6. Alternative to a Hearing — Citation Program: For certain violations, a fine may be issued instead of a full hearing.

ETHICS COMPLAINTS

The following instructions will assist you in filing an ethics complaint.

  1. Review the Rules: Review the NAR's Code of Ethics to decide if a violation has occurred.
  2. Complete the Form: Fill out the Ethics Complaint Form.
  3. Provide your name as the complainant. Anonymous complaints will not be accepted.
  4. Name the respondent (the person(s) the complaint is against), which may include their broker.
  5. Identify the Violation: Specify the applicable Code of Ethics Article(s). A specific article or articles must be included.
  6. Attach Supporting Documents: Include a typed statement of facts (“Exhibit 1”) and any additional supporting materials.
  7. Complete the remaining questions on the form.
  8. File the Complaint: There is no filing fee. If a violation is found, the respondent may be assessed a $300 administrative fee in addition to any discipline.

 

▶ Reasons to File an Ombudsman Request (for quicker resolution) vs. an Ethics Complaint

When dealing with a REALTOR® or real estate transaction, you have two main NAR-supported options: filing an Ombudsman request or filing an ethics complaint. Each serves a different purpose and has different outcomes.

  1. Purpose and Process
    • Ombudsman Request: This is an informal, mediation-style process where a trained REALTOR® ombudsman acts as a neutral intermediary to help parties communicate, clarify misunderstandings and find a mutually acceptable resolution.
    • Ethics Complaint: This is a formal process where you allege a violation of the NAR Code of Ethics and submit it to the local association's grievance or professional standards committee for possible sanctions and disciplinary actions.
  2. Scope of Issues
    • Ombudsman: Best for transactional, technical, procedural or clarifying questions that do not explicitly allege an ethics violation. It can also address minor disputes before they escalate.
    • Ethics Complaint: Reserved for cases where you believe a REALTOR® has violated specific Articles of the Code of Ethics.
  3. Resolution Time
    • Ombudsman: Typically quick — often resolved within 4–7 days, sometimes even faster.
    • Ethics Complaint: Much slower — can take 4–6 months or more to reach a formal hearing.
  4. Formality and Adjudication
    • Ombudsman: No adjudication; the ombudsman does not determine if a violation occurred.
    • Ethics Complaint: Possible discipline and sanctions if violations are found.
  5. When to Choose Which
    • Choose Ombudsman if:
      • You need immediate help to resolve a real estate transaction issue.
      • Your matter is clarifying or procedural and not clearly an ethics violation.
      • You want to avoid a lengthy formal process.
    • Choose Ethics Complaint if:
      • You have clear evidence of a Code of Ethics violation.
      • You want the association to fine and potentially discipline the REALTOR®.
      • You are prepared for a longer process and possible formal hearing.

Bottom Line:

Use the Ombudsman program for quick, informal resolution of non-ethics-related disputes or to clarify issues before they escalate. Use an ethics complaint when you have a substantiated belief that a REALTOR® has violated the NAR Code of Ethics and you want possible disciplinary actions.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Only REALTORS® are subject to NAR's Code of Ethics. 
  • REALTOR® associations can only determine whether NAR's Code of Ethics has been violated. 
  • State licensing authorities and courts make the decisions on whether the law or regulations have been broken.

REALTOR® associations can discipline REALTORS® for violating NAR's Code of Ethics. Forms of discipline include required attendance at courses and seminars designed to increase REALTORS® understanding of the ethical duties or other responsibilities of real estate professionals. 

Verdicts can also include reprimands and fines, as well as suspension or termination for serious or repeated violations. 

REALTOR® associations cannot require members to pay money to the parties filing ethics complaints, award "punitive damages" for violations, or suspend/revoke a real estate professional's license. 

If the real estate licensee you are dealing with is not a REALTOR®, your options will include contacting the Ohio Divison of Real Estate & Professional Licensing. Once an ethics complaint is filed, it goes through a review process with representatives from across the state.

 

Get in Touch

Contact the Ohio REALTORS® Professional Standards team:

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