Ethics Complaint FAQs
In order to facilitate a more efficient and streamlined process to handle certain ethics violations, the Indiana Association of REALTORS® has adopted the Ethics Citation Program, effective January 1, 2019.
A Respondent electing to pay a citation avoids an uncomfortable and often time-consuming hearing process. Respecting the right for due process, a Respondent may instead elect to request a hearing. The Ethics Citation Program is as confidential as the hearing process.
A Complainant may have less time involved, yet justice will still be served, thereby protecting the industry from unethical behavior. If the Respondent elects to have a hearing, the Complainant would need to attend.
The Citation Policy shall establish an Ethics Citation Panel, comprised of at least three (3) individuals, who will review complaints to determine eligibility for the citation program and the appropriate citations. The Ethics Citation Panel will be a subset of the association’s Professional Standards Committee, and the individuals on the Ethics Citation Panel will have a high level of experience in hearing professional standards cases.
Complaints must be filed within one hundred eighty (180) days after the facts constituting the matter complained of could have been known in the exercise of reasonable diligence or within one hundred eighty (180) days after the conclusion of the transaction or event, whichever is later.
For more detail and to file a citation complaint click here.
Many difficulties between real estate professionals (whether REALTORS® or not) result from misunderstanding, miscommunication, or lack of adequate communication. If you have a problem with a real estate professional, you may want to speak with them or with the managing broker of their firm. Open, constructive discussion often resolves questions or differences, eliminating the need for further action.
If you are unable to resolve the concern, you may consider using the services of an Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman Program is a telephone mediation service that provides volunteers to act as a neutral and independent voice when a member of the public or a RACI member finds themselves in a dispute with another member. Ombudsman procedures are intended to provide enhanced communications and initial problem-solving capacity to the professional standards process with complete neutrality and confidentiality. Answers to frequently asked questions about the Ombudsman Program can be found at Ombudsman FAQ. If you would like to resolve your issue through the Ombudsman Program, or have questions about the process, contact RACI’s Professional Standards Administrator, Amy Pate at 765-457-0089 or by email. An Ombudsman will respond to you within 24-48 hours depending on their schedule.
RACI is part of a statewide professional standards program administered by Indiana Association of REALTORS®. The initial complaint process begins at the local association level.
Ethics complaints are filed about behavior; arbitration is requested when there is a commission dispute.
Yes. The limit is 180 days from the time that you could have known there was a dispute.