RSAR adopts policies to encourage adherence to ethics

In 2014, the Reno/Sparks Association of Realtors established a presidential advisory group on ethics to address several issues, including the process of filing an ethics complaint and the unwillingness of agents to file a complaint. Six months later, the PAG has released recommendations in four key areas to address these and other ethical issues to encourage adherence to the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics. The recommendations were approved by the RSAR board of directors and the National Association of Realtors and will go into effect June 1.

One recommendation that was approved was to expand the duties of RSAR’s grievance committee to include automatically assisting members of the public in filing an ethics complaint. Grievance cmmittee members will advise on the process. This process is intended to help identify possible violations of the Code of Ethics and compiling the necessary paperwork.

Additional recommendations approved include fast tracking ethics complaints in order to be heard in a timely manner. In cases with no appeal, the process will take 61 fewer days than the traditional model; and for cases where there is an appeal, it will save 106 days.

RSAR will hold trainings and visits to member offices on the new policies and procedures from now until June 1 in preparation for its implementation.