ETHICS COMPLAINT
Date:
To the Grievance Committee of the Cleveland Area Board of REALTORS®, I/we (complainant) wish to file a complaint against:
Name of Respondent: __________________________________
Company name and address: _____________________________
Complainant(s) charge(s) alleged violation of Article(s) of the Code of Ethics.
Complainant alleges that the above charge(s) is/are supported by the ATTACHED STATEMENT, which is signed and dated by the complaint(s). Please be advised that copies of your complaint must be sent to the Grievance Committee therefore, please make sure your statement is typed.
The complaint is true and correct to the best knowledge and belief of the undersigned. Under penalties of perjury, I/we declare that to the best of my/our knowledge and belief, my/our allegations in this complaint are true.
Are the circumstances giving rise to this ethics complaint the subject of any civil or criminal litigation or in any proceeding before the state real estate licensing authority or other state or federal regulatory or administrative agency? ___ Yes No
Complainant(s):_______________________________________________________________________________________
Typed/printed name ____________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________
__________________________________ _______________________________________________________
Phone number:
Signature: ____________________________________________________
Return this form to CABOR, c/o: Pro Standards, 5633 Brecksville Rd., Independence, OH 44131
Complaint Procedures
If you believe a REALTOR® involved in your real estate transaction has acted unethically, you may file a formal complaint with the Cleveland Area Board of REALTORS®. The following are the procedures that should be followed:
1. The Board has enclosed a complaint form that must be returned with your description of events that occurred.
2. The Grievance Committee considers complaints solely on the Code of Ethics of the National Association of REALTORS® (enclosed). The Board cannot hear or decide issues of law; therefore, if your problem is legal or of a contractual nature, we suggest you contact an attorney.
3. The Board of REALTORS® does not control licenses and membership in the Board is voluntary on the part of real estate licensees. The Board has no jurisdiction to hold hearings involving licensees that are not members of our Board. Should your complaint be against a licensee who is not a member, we suggest you contact the Ohio Division of Real Estate (614) 466-4100.
4. The Grievance Committee will make preliminary review of the complaint. Once your complaint is filed, the Board will keep you apprised of the status through written communication only. The Committee will determine if there is sufficient evidence to hold a hearing.
5. If the Grievance Committee feels a hearing is warranted, you will be notified of the date, time and place of the hearing. This does not mean that the Grievance Committee has determined that a violation has occurred. Rather, it means that the Grievance Committee believes that if what you allege in your complaint is found to have occurred by the Hearing Panel, that panel may have reason to find that a violation occurred. Your presence at that hearing will be required. You should be prepared to bring your witnesses and evidence, if any, and be prepared to present your case. If the REALTOR® is found in violation of the Articles of the Code, the Board may impose varying degrees of sanctions and disciplinary action. IN NO EVENT CAN THE BOARD ASSESS DAMAGES OF MONEYS TO THE COMPLAINANT.
6. If the Grievance Committee determines that a hearing is unwarranted, you have the right to appeal their decision to the Board of Directors of the Cleveland Area Board of REALTORS® within 20 days.
7. If the REALTOR®(S) is/are found to be in violation of one or more of the Articles of the Code of Ethics, the Cleveland Area Board of REALTORS® may impose the following disciplinary actions:
A. Letter of warning with copy to be placed in memberâÂÂs file;
- Letter of reprimand with copy to be placed in memberâÂÂs file;
- Require attendance at an Ethics course or other appropriate training;
- Fine payable to the Board not to exceed $2,500;
- Member placed on probation not to exceed one (1) year;
- Member suspended from the Board not to exceed one (1) year;
- Expulsion from Board membership for a period not less than one (1) year, but not more than three (3) years.
8. Finally, these matters are considered confidential and we ask that you, as a party to a complaint respect the confidentiality of these proceedings.