Before you File

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. 

After taking these steps, if you still feel you have a grievance, you may want to consider filing an ethics complaint. Keep these in mind: 

• Only REALTORS® and REALTOR-ASSOCIATE®s are subject to the Code of Ethics of the National Association of REALTORS®.
• If the real estate professional (or their broker) you are dealing with is not a REALTOR®, your only recourse may be the state real state licensing authority or the courts.
• Boards and associations of REALTORS® determine whether the Code of Ethics has been violated, not whether the law or real estate regulations have been broken. Those decisions can only be made by the licensing authorities or the courts.
• Boards of REALTORS® can discipline REALTORS® for violating the Code of Ethics. Typical forms of discipline include attendance at courses and seminars designed to increase REALTORS®' understanding of the ethical duties or other responsibilities of real estate professionals. REALTORS® may also be reprimanded, fined, or their membership can be suspended or terminated for serious or repeated violations. Boards and associations of REALTORS® cannot require REALTORS® to pay money to parties filing ethics complaints; they cannot award "punitive damages" for violations of the Code of Ethics, and cannot suspend or revoke a real estate professional's license.
• The primary emphasis of discipline for ethical lapses is educational, to create a heightened awareness of and appreciation for the duties the Code imposes. At the same time, more severe forms of discipline, including fines and suspension and termination of membership may be imposed for serious or repeated violations.

If, after discussing matters with your real estate professional or a principal broker in that firm, you are still not satisfied, you may want to file a grievance. You may do this through Tennessee REALTORS® who handles the Professional Standards process for Greater Nashville REALTORS® members. Tennessee REALTORS® also has informal dispute resolution processes available to consumers (e.g. ombudsmen, mediation, etc.).