File a Complaint

The Code of Ethics ensures that Realtors adhere to a higher level of professionalism by outlining industry standards and expectations.  Complaints about violations of the Code of Ethics must cite the Article(s) of the Code perceived to be violated, using Ethics Complaint Form E-1. Complaints should include a supporting document as a narrative or chronological summary of the events.

Once a complaint has been filed, it is presented to the Grievance Committee to review and determine if the complaint should be referred to a hearing panel or dismissed.  If a hearing is required, the chairperson from the Professional Standards Committee will schedule the hearing.

If the hearing panel determines a violation, they will recommend disciplinary action to the Board of Directors.  Disciplinary sanctions can include:

• The completion of an education class on a given topic.
• Letters of warning and reprimand.
• A fine of up to $15,000.
• Suspension
• Termination of membership.

The hearing process usually takes two months, allowing for due process for everyone involved – including a reasonable response time from all parties, action by the Grievance Committee, Professional Standards panel selection, hearing schedules, etc.

Resources:

Before Filing an Ethics Complaint

• Code of Ethics
• File an Ethics Complaint: Ethics Complaint Packet – Updated for 2024 (linked to form) – Upon completing the form, please submit your form to info@core-realtors.com.
• Code of Ethics and Professional Standards

A request must be filed using the Arbitration form to file an arbitration. Upon completing the form, please submit it to info@core-realtors.com.

Your Request and Agreement to Arbitrate must include supporting documentation in the form of a narrative or chronological summary of the events that occurred and be submitted to the Mid Jersey Association of REALTORS Professional Standards Administrator, along with a check for $500 payable to Mid Jersey Association of REALTORS® for the arbitration deposit. Should the case be settled before the final decision, both parties will have their deposits refunded. Otherwise, only the prevailing party will have their deposit refunded.

A copy of your Request and Agreement to Arbitrate will be sent to the respondent, who will have 14 days to submit a response and deposit to Mid Jersey Association of REALTORS. Once Mid Jersey Association of REALTORS receives the response, the case is sent to the Grievance Committee for review. Based on guidelines from the National Association of REALTORS®, the Committee will determine if the case should be referred to a hearing or dismissed. If the case is referred to a hearing, Mid Jersey Association of REALTORS Professional Standards Committee will appoint a panel to hear the case and determine a resolution. Arbitration is binding.

The hearing is set for a time convenient for all parties. If referred to a hearing, the process usually takes about two months, which allows for due process for all parties – including a reasonable response time for all, action by the Grievance Committee, Professional Standards panel selection, hearing schedules, etc.

The Ombudsman Program, in its simplest definition, is informal telephone mediation. In some cases, it can address and solve minor complaints quickly. It can also solve conflicts before they become serious problems. Like a mediator, an ombudsman helps parties find solutions.

Mediation is a form of facilitated negotiation in which impartial third-party attempts to help dispute parties reach a mutually satisfactory solution to their problems. Mediation is voluntary for both parties, either of which can end mediation at any time and choose to follow the formal ethics complaint or arbitration request procedure. Parties are not required to accept any resolution proposed in mediation. Additionally, any proposed resolution in mediation may not be used in the formal process later. MJAR offers our members, their clients, and customers the opportunity to use mediation to resolve conflicts, and we ensure that the process is fair, flexible, and confidential.

There are numerous benefits to choosing mediation. Since the mediation process is collaborative, not adversarial, it can help resolve issues while preserving positive relationships between all parties. Additionally, mediation often takes far less time and money than formal litigation. Finally, it allows the parties to craft a solution they can live with, as opposed to formal arbitration, in which a hearing panel’s decision is binding on the parties.

The goal of a successful mediation is to have both parties reach a mutual agreement in writing upon the mediation’s conclusion. Once the agreement is signed, parties are legally bound to abide by its terms.

Discrimination against people belonging to a protected class is illegal in New Jersey and Nationally. Complaints related to discrimination are handled by the state of New Jersey or by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Resources:

• Protected Classes in New Jersey
• Federal Protected Classes
• File a Complaint with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights
• File a Complaint with HUD