Who should I give the complaint or request to?
Tonya Wilder at the North Oakland County Board of REALTORS®

Is there a time limit?
Yes, Ethics complaints must be filed within one hundred eighty (180) days of the time that alleged offense and relating facts could have been known by the complainant in the exercise of reasonable diligence. Request for Arbitration must be filed within one hundred eighty (180) days after the closing of the transaction, if any, or within one hundred eighty (180) days after the facts concerning the arbitrable matter could have been known in the exercise of reasonable diligence, whichever is later.

What should be included with Ethics Complaint or Arbitration Request?
Ethics - An Ethics Complaint form must be completed and filed. In addition, a written statement of the facts (with appropriate documentation, if any) on which the complaint is based must also be included, dated, and signed by the complainant. The appropriate Article(s) as they pertain to the facts in the alleged violation must be cited in the complaint.

Arbitration - An Arbitration Request form must be completed and submitted with details of the dispute and the deposit of $250, which may be refundable if the requestor is found to be the prevailing party. In addition, include whatever documentation that may help to substantiate your position.

Are there certain Articles that can or can't be cited?
Only Articles 1 through 17 may be the basis of a complaint. The Preamble is aspirational and establishes ideals that a REALTOR® should strive to attain. Because of its subjective nature, the Preamble may not be used as a basis for charges of alleged unethical conduct or as the basis for disciplinary action.

Can Standards of Practice be cited in an Ethics Complaint?
No. Standards of Practice may be cited only in support of the Article(s) that was allegedly violated.

Are there issues or complaints that should not be brought before a board/association of REALTORS®?
Yes. A charge of violating the law or State real estate regulations is not a matter that would be considered by the North Oakland County Board of REALTORS®. North Oakland County Board of REALTORS® is not a court of law where criminal or civil issues are resolved.

Is submitting to arbitration mandatory?
It depends on the circumstances. A REALTOR® may be obligated to arbitrate, or he/she may have a choice as to whether or not voluntarily participate in an arbitration proceeding conducted by the North Oakland County Board of REALTORS®.

When is arbitration mandatory/voluntary?
Mandatory - When the dispute is between:
1) REALTORS® who are principal brokers* in different firms.

Voluntary - When the dispute is between:
1) Members in the same firm;
2) a REALTOR® who is a principal broker, and a non-member principal broker in another firm.

"Principal Broker" means - A principal, partner, corporate officer, or branch office manager of a real estate firm.