Dispute Resolution

Ethics Complaints

REALTOR^® members agree to abide by the National Association of REALTORS^® Code of Ethics. REALTORS^® are different from non-member licensees in that they voluntarily subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics. The Code, established in 1913, ensures that consumers are served by requiring REALTORS^® to cooperate with each other in furthering clients’ best interests.  If you feel a member has violated the Code of Ethics, you can file an ethics complaint alleging a violation(s) through Oregon REALTORS^®, our partner in administering and facilitating the complaint process. The process to file a complaint through Oregon REALTORS^® or to utilize their ombudsman service can be accessed here.

Arbitration and Mediation

REALTORS^® also agree, as a condition of membership, to arbitrate contractual disputes and specific non-contractual disputes as provided in Article 17 of the Code of Ethics. These arbitrable issues are outlined in the Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual. You can file a request to arbitrate or for mediation through Oregon REALTORS^®, our partner in administering and facilitating the arbitration process. The process to file an arbitration request through Oregon REALTORS^® or to utilize their mediation service can be accessed here.

Code of Ethics Training

Every three years, REALTORS^®, as a duty of membership, must complete Code of Ethics training to ensure that members adhere to trustworthy business practices, promoting transparency, fairness, and professionalism in all real estate transactions.  The Cascades East Association of REALTORS^® offers Code of Ethics training opportunities online and in person every year throughout the real estate communities we serve. This ensures our members have every opportunity to enhance their professionalism and raise the bar in the real estate industry. View our Code of Ethics educational opportunities on our calendar. 

OREA Complaint

The Oregon Real Estate Agency (OREA) is the governing body in Oregon that oversees real estate licensure. If you feel that a real estate licensee has violated Oregon real estate laws or statutes, you can access the OREA complaint process here.  

Ombudsman Program

If you are not sure if your concern relates specifically to conduct governed by the Code of Ethics and its related to transactional issues, real estate practices, or technical or procedural matters that could easily be responded to; OR maybe it is more serious, but you would like to try to resolve it prior to it becoming a formal complaint, then the Ombudsman Program might be the right avenue for you.

The Ombudsman Program in its simplest definition is informal telephone mediation. In some cases it can address and solve minor complaints from the public. It can also solve inter-REALTOR® conflicts before they become serious problems. Like a mediator, an ombudsman helps parties find solutions.

Click Here for more information about the Ombudsman Program.

Arbitration

The Rogue Valley Association of REALTORS® can also provide mediation and/or arbitration services for commission disputes between REALTORS® and, in certain situations, between a REALTOR® and their client. We cannot provide mediation and/or arbitration services for monetary disputes between a buyer and seller.

If you are a REALTOR® and have a commission dispute with another REALTOR®, please download the Member Arbitration Packet for more information, including the necessary paperwork to file a request.

If you are a seller and have a commission dispute with your REALTOR®, please download the Non-Member Arbitration Packet for more information, including the necessary paperwork to file a request.

If you are a buyer or seller and have a monetary dispute with the other party, please contact Arbitration Service of Portland or an attorney.