REALTOR® Code of Ethics Enforcement

Real estate professionals who choose to join an Association of REALTORS® set themselves apart from non-member real estate licensees by agreeing to uphold the Code of Ethics of the National Association of REALTORS® and its standards of ethical conduct. If you believe that a REALTOR® has violated any Article[s] of the Code of Ethics, you may file a complaint alleging such violation through the member’s local Association or any Association to whose Association-owned and operated Multiple Listing Service the member participates or subscribes.

To File an ethics complaint
Once you have completed your documentation

Your complaint paperwork, the complaint form, narrative and supporting documentation should be forwarded to:

Richmond Association of REALTORS®
Attn: Professional Standards
8975 Three Chopt Road
Richmond, VA 23229
Email: prostandards@RARealtors.com

Arbitration Between REALTOR® Firms

The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires members to submit certain business disputes—usually between member firms in disagreement over the distribution of a commission—to arbitration by the Association. Additionally, disputes between members and their clients or between members affiliated with the same firm are arbitrable provided the parties agree to submit the dispute to binding arbitration through the Association.

Arbitration Filing Guidelines with Form

REALTOR®-to-REALTOR® Mediation

When an arbitration request is moved forward for hearing, RAR offers the parties access to attorney facilitated, non-binding mediation. The first hour of mediation service is provided at no cost to the parties, and, if the parties are able to reach a mutually acceptable resolution (rendering arbitration unnecessary), their arbitration filing fees are returned to them.

Request for Mediation

Mediation for the General Public

The CVR MLS Purchase Agreement requires non-binding mediation in the event of a dispute involving the parties to a real estate transaction. To begin the mediation process, the party desiring mediation downloads and completes the mediation request form then engages a court-certified mediator and provides them with the completed form. Links to the Virginia Judicial System Mediator database are provided below.

Mediation Request Form

To locate a mediator by court jurisdiction, click here.

To locate a mediator with specific qualifications, click here.

Ombudsman Services

The Richmond Association of REALTORS® offers ombudsman services to provide enhanced communications and initial problem-solving resources to REALTORS® and members of the public involved in potential or ongoing real estate related conflicts or misunderstandings. The ombudsman can respond to general questions regarding real estate practices, transaction details, ethical standards and enforcement issues and provide procedural guidance regarding the Association’s ethics hearing, arbitration and/or dispute resolution processes. The ombudsman’s services may be requested prior to initiating an ethics or arbitration request or at any time during the process.

Questions regarding any of the above information?

P. Maxwell
Professional Standards Administrator
804.422.5020
prostandards@RARealtors.com