Real estate agents can use comprehensive reports to inform their audience of market trends, statistics, news stories and other pertinent data. There are various ways this data can be presented visually for maximum impact.
When filing a real estate agent complaint, be sure to document everything that led up to it. Your memories can become foggy over time; therefore, an accurate account is key in creating an effective case against them.
Complaints to the Real Estate Commission
When dealing with an unethical or illegal act by a Realtor, the best course of action is to report it to your state’s real estate commission. They will investigate and determine whether any violations have taken place before taking necessary actions based on their investigation findings.
Before filing a formal complaint, attempt to address your concerns directly with the agent and their broker. This may provide a faster and cheaper resolution to your problem. Be sure to document any communication with them as this will allow you to prove the validity of your case if it goes before a judge.
Your local real estate commission’s contact information can be found online, though not all real estate agents qualify as Realtors (Member of National Association of Realtors and subscribes to its code of ethics). However, even if an agent doesn’t belong to this association they should still be reported if engaging in unethical behaviour – this will also give your local commission time to act if necessary.
Realize that this review process will take time. Each year, the commission receives hundreds of complaints that must be carefully assessed in order to take appropriate actions. Therefore, it’s crucial that you keep records of all interactions with agents or brokers so you can recall everything clearly later.
Forms may differ by state, but most will ask you for personal data (name and address), your agent/broker details, as well as an explanation for filing a complaint. Most forms will also ask you for copies of supporting documentation such as receipts, contracts, sale documents and inspection reports etc.
As part of this process, it is crucial to remain calm. Your agent could easily sense when you’re getting angry and use that against you; try being polite while explaining your position thoroughly.
Complaints to the State Review Boards
States with approved State historic preservation programs often establish review boards consisting of professionals in American history, architectural history and prehistoric/historic archeology to review National Register nominations for eligibility before forwarding them to the National Park Service. Such boards may also include citizen members; their meetings are usually open to the public.
Nominations that include more than 50 property owners require notice in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the area and allow each of the property owners a chance to accept or object in writing to the nomination.
If your attorney misconduct complaint against an individual was closed without discipline being sought by the State Bar, you have the option to request a review by CRU within 90 days from when OCTC issued their closing letter, or extend this deadline by making a timely written request to CRU.
Complaints to the BBB
Real estate agent misconduct can be dealt with through various avenues. Clients can report brokers, inspectors and agents to state review boards as well as to the Better Business Bureau, where complaints will be reviewed by attorneys who could potentially lead to fines or suspension of licenses. Before taking further steps against an agent or broker for misconduct it’s always wise to try direct communication; an agent may have no knowledge of a problem or mistake in which case communicating the matter in a calm and professional way can quickly rectify matters.
Start by reviewing paperwork or business cards for the agent, then researching any local or national real estate associations they belong to online. Some states and associations impose codes of ethics that the offending agent must abide by – becoming familiar with these codes can help identify specific instances of unethical conduct that might prompt your complaint.
Contact the agent or broker’s manager and explain your situation, being polite yet firm when necessary. Request a meeting to discuss your grievance and practice explaining it clearly before meeting day; before doing so, be sure to gather any supporting documentation such as emails or contract documents that support your claims.
At your meeting, it is wise to bring supporting documentation if the agent cannot adequately address your allegations. Be sure to bring along the contract that was signed between yourself and them, along with any correspondence or documents related to their claims that can substantiate them.
Once you’ve discussed your complaint with an agent and their manager, hopefully an agreement that works for both of you should be possible. This process often proves simpler than filing with state or BBB agencies and often results in quicker resolution of the problem.
However, if the resolution does not satisfy you, file a formal complaint with the Better Business Bureau. This creates a record of your issue that other consumers will be able to view through its website.
Complaints to the Department of Justice
If a real estate agent commits a federal crime, you can file a complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ). This organization enforces laws, seeks appropriate punishment for those found guilty and ensures justice in society. You can file with them against real estate agents, mortgage brokers, home inspectors or appraisers as well as landlords or sellers who discriminate against you; but only do so as a last resort. DOJ complaints represent the highest level of reporting real estate crimes but should always be used with extreme caution.
Real estate transactions involve significant funds and personal details that need to be protected; as a result, the role of the Realtor is essential. But that doesn’t mean clients cannot take matters into their own hands if their agent engages in anything unethical or illegal.
Real estate agent violations of their fiduciary duties can be distressing to their clients and lead them to terminate the relationship or report them to authorities like the Department of Justice or other state or national review boards.
Before filing an ethics-related real estate complaint, make every attempt to communicate with the agent’s broker and office manager; this will enable you to resolve it more easily with minimal expense and disruption. Furthermore, before making your complaint public, consult the national association’s ethics rules and guidelines as they will regularly update their code of ethics while creating niche guidelines to address specific issues.
Fraud is one of the primary ethical complaints against real estate agents, which may occur through nondisclosure of issues with a property, or intentionally misleading clients. Furthermore, agents owe you a fiduciary duty in protecting your finances.
If communication with an agent and/or their broker doesn’t lead to satisfactory results, filing an ethics complaint with REBNY might be your next best step – provided the offending agent belongs to REBNY as this option only exists if their agency does.