There are times when a member of the public or a real estate licensee may have concerns about the conduct of a real estate broker or salesperson.  The Rhode Island Association of REALTORS® has created  this guide about where complaints can be filed. The Rhode Department of Business Regulations regulates real estate licensees. If the licensee is a REALTOR - a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, an ethics complaint can be filed against them with the local REALTOR® association to which he or she belongs.

The REALTOR® Association complaint process is designed to provide due process and fairness to all parties.  A  complaint is reviewed by a Grievance Committee of trained volunteers. If they decide that the complaint states the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, they will forward the complaint to the Professional Standards Committee. The REALTOR® will have a chance to file a written response to the complaint.  The Professional Standards Committee will schedule a hearing with a panel of three or five trained volunteers.  The complainant and the respondent both have a chance to tell their side of the story, present evidence, bring witnesses, attorneys, and ask each other questions.

The hearing panel will then make a decision. If the panel finds that there was a violation of the Code of Ethics, the members vote to impose penalties, ranging from taking a class, paying a fine, to suspension or revocation from membership.  There are opportunities for appeals before and after the local association’s board of directors finalizes the decision.

For more information, contact the RIAR Professional Standards Administrator at [email protected].