What Happens After You File an Ethics Complaint?

Step One: Your complaint will be processed through PMAR's Grievance Committee. The Committee determines whether the complaint has sufficient merit for further consideration. It does not determine guilt or innocence. The Committee will either:

• Forward the case for a hearing;
• Dismiss it, if the complaint does not concern a possible violation of the Realtors® Code of Ethics; or
• Postpone its decision based on getting more information before a determination can be made.

If the Committee dismisses your complaint, you have the right to appeal the dismissal to PMAR's Board of Directors. 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.

If the complaint is to be given further consideration, it will be sent to the Professional Standards Committee for a hearing.

Step Two: The Professional Standards Committee will hold a hearing. The hearing provides an opportunity for the Complainant and the Respondent to explain "their side of the story" by presenting testimony and witnesses, if any.
All parties, including the individual(s) filing the complaint, will be required to attend the hearing and present their case to the hearing panel.

If your case is forwarded to a hearing:     

• The Respondent will be notified and a reply requested;
• All parties will be sent a list of Professional Standards Committee members, along with a form to challenge any of the members serving on the hearing panel;
• All parties will be given 21 days notice of the hearing date;
• An Outline of Procedures will be included in material you receive prior to the hearing.

Once all the facts have been presented, a Hearing Panel, consisting of members chosen on the basis of their experience, temperament, and objectivity, will determine whether the Realtors® Code of Ethics has been violated.

Step Three: If it is determined that a violation of the Code of Ethics has occurred, the panel may administer discipline to the Realtor® in one or more of the following ways:

• Send a letter of warning or reprimand;
• Direct the Realtor® to attend an ethics class or other training appropriate to the violation;
• Place the Realtor® on probation;
• Suspend the Realtor’s® membership;
• Expel the Realtor® from membership;
• Fine the Realtor® up to $5,000.

PMAR cannot consider complaints against a Realtor® member for violation of the Oregon real estate license law or any other alleged violation of the law. PMAR has jurisdiction only over violations of membership duties and the Realtors® Code of Ethics. The Oregon Real Estate Agency  has jurisdiction over real estate licenses and may be contacted for violations of law at 1-503-378-4170.