Filing an Ethics Complaint

In order for an ethics complaint to be processed, a formal complaint must be filed using the Ethics Complaint Form E-1.  If you are completing this form, you will need to refer to the Code of Ethics of the National Association of REALTORS® to determine which Article(s) you believe have been violated. 

Your complaint should include a supporting typewritten narrative or chronological summary of the events giving rise to your complaint.

Once the Ethics Complaint Form E-1 is complete, and any supporting documents are attached, submit it to Columbus Board of REALTORS®, 2700 Airport Dr., Columbus, Ohio 43219.  Once received, a copy of the complaint and all related materials will be sent to the respondent, who will have 14 days to submit a reply.

Once this reply is received by CBR a complete copy is forwarded to the Complainant.  When confirmation that the complainant desires to continue with their complaint is received, all materials related to the complaint are forwarded to the CBR Grievance Committee for review. The Grievance Committee?s responsibility is to review the case materials and, based on a certain set of guidelines they must follow, determine if the facts presented in the complaint warrant a hearing.

If the case is referred to hearing, a panel of Professional Standards Committee members will be appointed to hear the case.  This panel will determine if the Code of Ethics has been violated. The formal hearing, usually held at the CBR office, and will be set for a time mutually convenient for all parties.  If the hearing panel, as a result of the ethics hearing, determines that the member has violated the Code of Ethics, they may recommend disciplinary action to CBR's Board of Directors.  Such disciplinary actions may require the respondent to complete an appropriate education class; may prescribe a letter of warning or reprimand; may impose a fine of up to $5,000, a period of suspension of member services or a termination of board membership, or a combination of two or more of the above.  Additionally, a member found to have violated the Code of Ethics is also charged an administrative fee of $500. 

The Ethics Complaint process may take between two and three months, allowing a reasonable time for responses, review by the Grievance Committee, scheduling of the hearing, and for adoption of the hearing panel recommendations by the Board of Directors.  

For more information about the Ethics Complaint process, see FAQs about Ethics Complaints.