File a Complaint

REALTORS® are held to a higher standard – the REALTOR® Code of Ethics – which sets a REALTOR® apart from ordinary real estate practitioners. The Code of Ethics spells out the duties, obligations and responsibilities that a REALTOR® owes to their clients, and to each other. The term REALTOR® has come to represent competency, honesty and high integrity. These qualities stem from voluntary adherence to an ideal of moral conduct in real estate business practices.

800-466-3646

To file a complaint or for additional information please contact Linda Conaway.

Working with a REALTOR® is unique in that if you feel that a REALTOR® in a party that you are a transaction has violated the Code of Ethics, the REALTOR® association offers you an opportunity to file an ethics complaint or an arbitration request to settle the issue without the expense of going to court.

If you believe that a REALTOR® has acted in an unethical manner or that there is a monetary dispute during a transaction, you may seek resolution through the Greater Los Angeles REALTORS® Professional Standards process. GLAR offers several options for resolving a dispute, including an anonymous complaint program.

For more information on the process or to file a complaint, please call 1-800-446-3646.

More Information on Professional Standards Services Offered:

Mediation

Mediation can be a useful tool in resolving the conflicts that arise involving REALTORS®. It is entirely voluntary. Upon receipt of an Arbitration Complaint, all parties are offered the opportunity and encouraged to participate in the mediation process. If the parties agree, the matter will be referred to a Mediator, who will conduct the mediation. If the parties agree to a settlement of the dispute, and the settlement has been signed by all of the parties, the matter is deemed resolved and cannot be the subject of a subsequent arbitration hearing. If the mediation attempt is unsuccessful, or if either of the parties declines mediation, then the Arbitration Complaint is processed.

Arbitration Complaint

If REALTOR® members are in a dispute over a commission or other real estate-related monetary dispute, an Arbitration Complaint can be filed. Complaints must be filed within 180 days from close of escrow or 180 days from the time the facts giving rise to the dispute were discovered. Once a Complaint is filed, a copy will be forwarded to the other parties who are given twenty days to file a Response. A Panel of five (5) Professional Standards members will be chosen to hear the matter. After the hearing, the Panel will deliberate and issue an arbitration award.

Ombudsman Program

The Ombudsman Program is a voluntary program that allows a person the opportunity to speak with a trained, knowledgeable Professional Standards expert about your dispute prior to filing a Disciplinary Complaint. An Ombudsman may also be used after a Disciplinary Complaint has been filed but before the actual hearing takes place. An Ombudsman acts as a go-between to assist the parties in finding a resolution. The Ombudsman does not determine if a violation has occurred, but facilitates communication and conciliation between parties.

Ethics Advocate Program

The Ethics Advocate Program utilizes trained Ethics Advocates (EAs) to assist parties with the following:

  • Filing a Formal Disciplinary Complaint
  • Responding to a Formal Disciplinary Complaint
  • Advise a party on the merits of his or her Complaint or Response and possible resolutions
  • Preparing a party for the Disciplinary hearing

Anonymous Complaint Program

Many REALTOR® members or members of the public do not feel comfortable filing a complaint with their names on it. In order to file an anonymous complaint, the Complaint must be able to “stand on its own.” (For example, false advertising type complaints.) A REALTOR® or member of the public will be asked to provide as much information regarding the allegations as possible, but he or she does not have to reveal his or her identity.

Disciplinary Complaint

A Disciplinary Complaint must be filed within 180 days after the facts constituting alleged misconduct could have been known in the exercise of reasonable diligence. Once filed, the Complaint is sent to the Grievance Committee for review. If the Committee decides a hearing is necessary, the “Respondent” is notified and given 20 days to file a Response. A Panel of five (5) Professional Standards members will be chosen to hear the matter. After that hearing, the Panel will decide if a violation has occurred and will impose appropriate disciplinary action.

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