REALTORS® are different from non-member licensees in that they voluntarily subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics establishes the foundation of how REALTORS® are to operate as professionals in the real estate industry. BAR is responsible for the enforcement of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics through the professional standards process.
The professional standards process is open to members of the public as well as REALTORS®. In addition to processing formal ethics complaints, BAR also provides informal dispute resolution that often can be quicker and less costly.
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 a principal broker in the firm. Open, constructive discussion often resolves questions or differences, eliminating the need for further action.
If you have a question about the professional standards process or would like more information on filing an ethics complaint, please email our professional standards administrator at BoardOffice@Billings.org.
If a monetary dispute arises between members or between members and their clients, BAR offers an arbitration process that can be used in resolving complaints.
Arbitration services help resolve contractual issues and questions that arise between members, between members and their clients and, in some cases, between parties of a transaction brought about through the efforts of REALTORS®.
Mediation is the preferred method of resolving disputes because it is often a simpler and quicker process. It is an efficient and economical mechanism to resolve arbitration disputes. With mediation, there is no cost, little delay, no hearing panel, use of one or two neutral/impartial mediators and the solution is just as binding and enforceable as arbitration. The parties have complete control over the outcome, as opposed to relinquishing that authority to a third party.
If you have a question about a possible arbitrable dispute, please email our professional standards administrator at BoardOffice@Billngs.org.
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