REALTORS® are different from other real estate licensees in that they voluntarily pledge to abide by a strict code of professional conduct above and beyond the licensing laws of the state. This conduct is outlined in the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics. If you feel like any part of the Code has been violated by a REALTOR®, you are entitled to file a complaint. The REALTORS® Code of Ethics is comprised of 17 Articles.
An ethics complaint may be filed by a member of the public or another REALTOR® member who alleges a violation of one or more of the Articles of the Code of Ethics by a REALTOR® member.
All ethics complaints must be filed with the Anchorage Board of REALTORS® within 180 days from the time a complainant knew, or reasonably should have known, that potentially unethical conduct took place. Complaints must be in writing and submitted using the Ethics Complaint Form E-1. A complaint should cite one or more Articles of the Code of Ethics which may have been violated and a narrative description or summary of events that occurred leading to the belief the Code of Ethics may have been violated. To help better understand the process, review the following items prior to filing a complaint:
The Ethics Complaint Form E-1 and supporting documents must be submitted to the Anchorage Board of REALTORS® at info@ancboard.com.
Once the complaint is received, it will be reviewed by the Grievance Committee. The job of the Grievance Committee is to determine if the allegations made, if taken as true might support a violation of the Article(s) cited in the complaint. The Grievance Committee, based on specific guidelines, determines if a case should be referred to hearing or dismissed. If the Grievance Committee forwards the complaint to hearing, the Professional Standards Hearing Panel will hear the case.
The Hearing Panel makes the determination if the Code of Ethics has or has not been violated. The Hearing Panel may discipline a REALTOR® found to have violated the Code of Ethics. Disciplinary action may include requiring education, a fine, letters of warning or reprimand, and suspension or termination of membership.