A. You may have to consider whether your complaint concerns an ethics matter or an arbitration of a monetary dispute. An ethics complaint charges that a REALTOR® has violated an Article(s) of the Code of Ethics. Arbitration is a means of resolving a monetary dispute arising out of a real estate transaction that the parties have been unable to solve themselves. An arbitration complaint or request is a simple notice by a member of a disagreement with another member, usually a commission dispute. Sometimes arbitration concerns a dispute between a member of the public and an Association member. Arbitration does not award damages. If your situation concerns both ethics and arbitration, EABOR will handle the requests separately. You may file both at the same time, however, arbitration is always held first. Only when arbitration is complete will the ethics complaint be considered.

A. Anyone. Any person, whether a member of EABOR or not, may file a complaint against an EABOR member alleging a violation of the Code of Ethics, providing the complaint:

1. Is in writing.
2. Is signed by the complainant.
3. States the facts surrounding the case.
4. Is filed within 180 days of when the facts could have become known by the
complainant or within 180 days after the conclusion of the transaction or
event, whichever is later

A. The Complainant may file a complaint from any location provided it is filed with the Association having jurisdiction over the individual(s) named in the complaint.

A. EABOR has limitations to its authority regarding its members. Below is a list of those limitations:

1. EABOR cannot hold an administrative hearing for violations of the Florida real estate license law or any other alleged violation of the law. It has jurisdiction only over violations of membership duties. The Florida Real Estate Commission has sole control of the real estate agent’s license to sell real estate. If you think a person has violated the law, you should be contacting another agency.

2. For the same reason, EABOR cannot suspend or terminate the real estate license of one of its members.

3. EABOR can  – in the case of an ethics violation being determined in a due process hearing procedure – administer discipline to the REALTOR® in one or more of the following ways:

• Send a letter of warning or reprimand to the member.
• Direct the member to attend an ethics class or other training appropriate to the violation.
• Impose an appropriate and reasonable fine not to exceed $15,000 (this fine is not awarded to the complainant).
• Place the member on probation for a stated period of time not less than thirty (30) days or more than one (1) year.
• Suspend the membership of the individual for a stated period of time not less than thirty (30) days or more than one (1) year.
• Expel the member from membership with no reinstatement privilege for a specified period of one (1) to three (3) years, with reinstatement of membership to be by application only after the specified period of expulsion on the merits of the application at the time received.
• Suspend the member (30 days to 1 year) or terminate MLS rights and privileges (1 to 3 years).
• Note: If the Respondent is found in violation of the Code of Ethics, an administrative processing fee of $500 will be assessed.

A. Monetary damages cannot be a part of an ethics proceeding.

A. The Grievance Committee reviews complaints when received by the Englewood Area Board of REALTORS®. The Committee determines whether the complaint has sufficient merit for further consideration, somewhat like a “grand jury.” The Committee does not determine guilt or innocence but  will do one of three things:

1. Forward the case for a Professional Standards Hearing; or

2. Dismiss the case if the complaint is determined to be frivolous, harassing or unfounded or not within the time limitations; or

3. Postpone its decision based on obtaining more information from you or determining that the case may be more appropriately considered for arbitration.

A. If your complaint is dismissed by the Committee, you have the right to appeal the dismissal to the Board of Directors. A panel of five (5) members from the Board of Directors will be selected by the President of the Association. In the case of an appeal, the Directors re-examine the materials submitted to the Grievance Committee and can either uphold or overturn the Grievance Committee’s decision. Complainants and Respondents are not present for the appeal.

A. It will be sent to the Professional Standards Committee for a hearing

A. The function of the Professional Standards Committee is to hold ethics and arbitration hearings.

A. The Professional Standards Committee Chair will appoint a Hearing Panel, consisting of three to five members of the Professional Standards Committee of the Englewood Area Board of REALTORS® chosen on the basis of experience, temperament and objectivity.

A. Both the Complainant and Respondent are notified of the hearing date, time and place at least 21 days prior to the Hearing date.

A. Prior to the Hearing, The Professional Standards Administrator will provide you instructions on the hearing procedures.

A. Hearings provide an opportunity for the Complainant and the Respondent to explain “his or her side of the story” by presenting testimony and witnesses, if any.

A. After both parties have presented their case to the Hearing Panel, they are dismissed for the day and the Panel members go into executive session to determine whether the Code of Ethics has been violated. The Complainant and Respondent will be notified of the Panel’s decision by electronic mail.

A. The entire process usually will take a minimum of 60 days but may take longer.

A. Now that you know the ground rules, if you wish to file a complaint, here’s how you do it:

1. Contact EABOR’s Chief Executive Officer/Professional Standards Administrator (941-208-5546) to request an ethics complaint package; or

2. Visit our website at www.MyEABOR.com and click on the REALTOR® Ethics tab.

3. Complete and sign the complaint form (#E-1). This form requests you to name the REALTOR®(s) in question as the Respondent(s).

4. List the Article(s) of the Code of Ethics that you think the REALTOR® has violated. A copy of the Code of Ethics is included in this packet for your reference.

5. Attach a written explanation of the situation surrounding the complaint. Be as specific as possible. State the details, including what, when, where, why and how you think each Article was violated.

6. Submit the original, plus five (5) copies of Form #E-1 and all pertinent documents that prove your points such as listing agreement, purchase and sales agreements, emails, correspondence and addenda. If you have notarized statements from witnesses, include those also. 

7. Send the completed package, keeping a copy for yourself, to EABOR to the attention of the Dianne Clark, CEO. The complaint will then be processed through the Grievance Committee.

A. Please contact Dianne Clark, Chief Executive Officer, Englewood Area Board of REALTORS®, 3952 N. Access Road, Englewood, FL 34224, dianne@eabor.net, or call her at 941-208 5546.