Instructions for Filing an Ethics Complaint

For an ethics complaint to be processed, a formal complaint must be filed using the Ethics Complaint Form (E-1).  As you complete the Form, please refer to the Code of Ethics of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® to determine which Article(s) you believe have been violated.  Your complaint should include la supporting document in the form of a narrative or chronological summary of the events that occurred.

Once the Complaint Form and supporting document is complete, submit it to Jennifer Kowal at the Traverse Area Association of REALTORS® (TAAR) at 852 S Garfield Avenue, Traverse City, MI 49686.  A copy of your complaint will then be sent to the respondent, who has fourteen days to submit a reply.

Once a reply is received from the respondent by TAAR, the case is sent to the Grievance Committee Chair for the assignment of a panel to conduct a review.  The panel's responsibility is to review the case, and based on a certain set of guidelines they must follow, will determine if the case should be referred to hearing or dismissed.

If the case is referred to hearing, the TAAR Professional Standards Committee will appoint a panel to hear the case and determine if the Code of Ethics has been violated.  The hearing is typically held at the TAAR office, and is set for a time convenient for all parties.

If the panel determines there has been a violation, they will take disciplinary action.  Disciplinary sanctions can include the completion of an education class on a given topic, fines, letters of warning and reprimand, suspension, or termination of membership.

If referred to hearing, this process usually takes about two months since we must allow reasonable time for responses, for action by the Grievance Committee, scheduling, etc.

For additional information, please contact Jennifer Kowal at ConflictResolutionServices@hotmail.com