Living in Brevard CountyREALTOR Code of Ethics and Preamble
The Code of Ethics was first adopted in 1913 and has been amended at the annual conventions throughout the years.
Effective January 1, 1996
Where the word REALTORS� is used in this Code and Preamble, it shall be deemed to include REALTOR-ASSOCIATE�s. While the Code of Ethics establishes obligations that may be higher than those mandated by law, in any instance where the Code of Ethics and the law conflict, the obligations of the law must take precedence.Preamble
Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization. REALTORS� should recognize that the interests of the nation and its citizens require the highest and best use of the land and the widest distribution of land ownership. They require the creation of adequate housing, the building of functioning cities, the development of productive industries and farms, and the preservation of a healthful environment.
Such interests impose obligations beyond those of ordinary commerce. They impose grave social responsibility and a patriotic duty to which REALTORS� should dedicate themselves, and for which they should be diligent in preparing themselves. REALTORS�, therefore, are zealous to maintain and improve the standards of their calling and share with their fellow REALTORS� a common responsibility for its integrity and honor.
In recognition and appreciation of their obligations to clients, customers, the public, and each other, REALTORS� continuously strive to become and remain informed on issues affecting real estate and, as knowledgeable professionals, they willingly share the fruit of their experience and study with others. They identify and take steps, through enforcement of this Code of Ethics and by assisting appropriate regulatory bodies, to eliminate practices which may damage the public or which might discredit or bring dishonor to the real estateprofession.
Realizing that cooperation with other real estate professionals promotes the best interests of those who utilize their services, REALTORS� urge exclusive representation of clients; do not attempt to gain any unfair advantage over their competitors; and they refrain from making unsolicited comments about other practitioners. In instances where their opinion is sought, or where REALTORS� believe that comment is necessary, their opinion is offered in an objective, professional manner, uninfluenced by any personal motivation or potential advantage or gain.
The term REALTOR� has come to connote competency, fairness, and high integrity resulting from adherence to a lofty ideal of moral conduct in business relations. No inducement of profit and no instruction from clients ever can justify departure from this ideal.
In the interpretation of this obligation, REALTORS� can take no safer guide than that which has been handed down through the centuries, embodied in the Golden Rule, "Whatsoever ye would that others should do to you, do ye even so to them."
Accepting this standard as their own, REALTORS� pledge to observe its spirit in all of their activities and to conduct their business in accordance with the tenets set forth below.
The Code of Ethics
Articles 1-17 establish specific obligations. Failure to observe these requirements subject REALTORS� to disciplinary action.
ARTICLE 1
When representing a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant, or other client as an agent, REALTORS� pledge themselves to protect and promote the interests of their client. This obligation of absolute fidelity to the client's interests is primary, but it does not relieve REALTORS� of their obligation to treat all parties honestly. When serving a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant or other party in a non-agency capacity, REALTORS� remain obligated to treat all parties honestly. (Amended 1/93)ARTICLE 2
REALTORS� shall avoid exaggeration, misrepresentation, or concealment of pertinent facts relating to the property or the transaction. REALTORS� shall not, however, be obligated to discover latent defects in the property, to advise on matters outside the scope of their real estate license, or to disclose facts which are confidential under the scope of agency duties owed to their clients. (Amended 1/93)ARTICLE 3
REALTORS� shall cooperate with other brokers except when cooperation is not in the client's best interest. The obligation to cooperate does not include the obligation to share commissions, fees, or to otherwise compensate another broker. (Amended 1/95)ARTICLE 4
REALTORS� shall not acquire an interest in or buy or present offers from themselves, any member of their immediate families, their firms or any member thereof, or any entities in which they have any ownership interest, any real property without making their true position known to the owner or the owner's agent. In selling property they own, or in which theyhave any interest, REALTORS� shall reveal their ownership or interest in writing to the purchaser or the purchaser's representative. (Amended 1/91)ARTICLE 5
REALTORS� shall not undertake to provide professional services concerning a property or its value where they have a present or contemplated interest unless such interest is specifically disclosed to all affected parties.ARTICLE 6
When acting as agents, REALTORS� shall not accept any commission, rebate, or profit on expenditures made for their principal, without the principal's knowledge and consent. (Amended 1/92)ARTICLE 7
In a transaction, REALTORS� shall not accept compensation from more than one party, even if permitted by law, without disclosure to all parties and the informed consent of the REALTOR�'s client or clients. (Amended 1/93)ARTICLE 8
REALTORS� shall keep in a special account in an appropriate financial institution, separated from their own funds, monies coming into their possession in trust for other persons, such as escrows, trust funds, clients' monies, and other like items.ARTICLE 9
REALTORS�, for the protection of all parties, shall assure whenever possible that agreements shall be in writing, and shall be in clear and understandable language expressing the specific terms, conditions, obligations and commitments of the parties. A copy of each agreement shall be furnished to each party upon their signing or initialing. (Amended 1/95)ARTICLE 10
REALTORS� shall not deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. REALTORS� shall not be parties to any plan or agreement to discriminate against a person or persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. (Amended 1/90)ARTICLE 11
The services which REALTORS� provide to their clients and customers shall conform to the standards of practice and competence which are reasonably expected in the specific real estate disciplines in which they engage; specifically, residential real estate brokerage, real property management, commercial and industrial real estate brokerage, real estate appraisal, real estate counseling, real estate syndication, real estate auction, and international real estate.REALTORS� shall not undertake to provide specialized professional services concerning a type of property or service that is outside their field of competence unless they engage the assistance of one who is competent on such types of property or service, or unless the facts are fully disclosed to the client. Any persons engaged to provide such assistance shall be so identified to the client and their contribution to the assignment should be set forth. (Amended 1/95)
ARTICLE 12
REALTORS� shall be careful at all times to present a true picture in their advertising and representations to the public. REALTORS� shall also ensure that their professional status (e.g., broker, appraiser, property manager, etc.) or status as REALTORS� is clearly identifiablein any such advertising. (Amended 1/93)ARTICLE 13
REALTORS� shall not engage in activities that constitute the unauthorized practice of law and shall recommend that legal counsel be obtained when the interest of any party to the transaction requires it.ARTICLE 14
If charged with unethical practice or asked to present evidence or to cooperate in any other way, in any disciplinary proceeding or investigation, REALTORS� shall place all pertinent facts before the proper tribunals of the Member Board or affiliated institute, society, or council in which membership is held and shall take no action to disrupt or obstruct such processes. (Amended 1/90)ARTICLE 15
REALTORS� shall not knowingly or recklessly make false or misleading statements about competitors, their businesses, or their business practices. (Amended 1/92)ARTICLE 16
REALTORS� shall not engage in any practice or take any action inconsistent with the agency of other REALTORS�.ARTICLE 17
In the event of a contractual dispute between REALTORS� associated with different firms, arising out of their relationship as REALTORS�, the REALTORS� shall submit the dispute to arbitration in accordance with the regulations of their Board or Boards rather than litigate the matter.In the event clients of REALTORS� wish to arbitrate contractual disputes arising out of real estate transactions, REALTORS� shall arbitrate those disputes in accordance with the regulations of their Board, provided the clients agree to be bound by the decision. (Amended 1/94)
EXPLANATORY NOTES (Revised 11/94):
The reader should be aware of the following policies which have been approved by the Board of Directors of the National Association:In filing a charge of an alleged violation of the Code of Ethics by a REALTOR�, the charge must read as an alleged violation of one or more Articles of the Code. Standards of Practice may be cited in support of the charge.
The Standards of Practice serve to clarify the ethical obligations imposed by the various Articles and supplement, and do not substitute for, the case interpretations in Interpretations of the Code of Ethics.
Modifications to existing Standards of Practice and additional new Standards of Practice are approved from time to time. Readers are cautioned to ensure that the most recent publications are utilized.
Additional Notes:
Reference is made above to the "Standards of Practice.". The Standards of Practice are provided in pamphlet form (Form #166-288), in the booklet, Professionalism in Real Estate Practice (Form #166-1113), and in the book, Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual (166-876).*Charges of unethical conduct by members of the National Association of Realtors are handled by the local Board of Realtors to which such member belongs. Contact the local Board for more information about this process.*