Code of Ethics Enforcement Processes

The REALTOR® Alliance of Greater Cincinnati has implemented an Ombudsman program that can address issues which are generally initiated via email or phone call to the Alliance and may or may not have been submitted on the Alliance’s official ethics complaint form. An Ombudsman helps parties find solutions, as some complaints are transactional, technical or procedural questions. Some may not fall under the scope of the Code of Ethics, however in being addressed, can produce a positive outcome for all parties involved.

The REALTOR® Alliance of Greater Cincinnati has a Citation System in place for some violations of the Code of Ethics.  This process is voluntary on the part of the REALTOR® (Respondent), who has the option to either accept the citation and pay the fine or decline the citation and proceed with the remaining options for addressing complaints.

Another optional method for addressing complaints filed with the Alliance is Ethics Mediation. Ethics mediation can be initiated via a written request by the complainant by selecting Ethics Mediation on the ethics complaint form or by submitting a request using the online form detailed on the Filing an Ethics Complaint page.  Ethics Mediation is more formal than the Ombudsman service, but less formal than a hearing.  With Ethics Mediation, the parties come together and a mediator assists them in reaching a resolution to the matter.  If no agreement is reached, the complaint can proceed to a formal hearing.

When the parties to a formal complaint pertaining to the Code of Ethics either do not want to participate in mediation or the respondent does not accept a citation and makes a request to be heard by a hearing panel, a formal ethics hearing is scheduled.