As REALTORS®, strict adherence to the Code of Ethics is enforced via a number of dispute resolution options including the citation program and the ombudsman program. If a dispute cannot be resolved via those options, a formal ethics complaint may be filed for educating and disciplining REALTOR® members who are found in violation of the Code of Ethics.
Any ethics complaint must cite an article of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, because that is the standard by which REALTORS®’ conduct is judged; a Standard of Practice may only be cited in support of a charge that an article was violated. Anyone who wishes to file an ethics complaint may complete an ethics complaint form, which can be found at kcrar.com/ethics-and-regulations. The KCRAR Grievance Committee then reviews the matter to determine if there are sufficient grounds for a hearing or hearings by the Professional Standards Committee.
Requests for ethics complaints must be filed within 180 calendar days after the facts constituting the matter complained of was known, or could have been known, in the exercise of reasonable diligence (unless the Board’s informal dispute resolution processes, such as ombudsman, are initiated by the complainant, or within 180 calendar days of the closing of the transaction, whichever is later.).
Ethics complaints are completely confidential under article 14 of the Code of Ethics. That means that if any party involved violates that confidentiality, that person would be in violation of the Code of Ethics, and disciplinary action could be taken. For more information, on arbitration or other dispute resolution options, visit kcrar.com/ethics-and-regulations.
