Effective January 1, 2024, members who belong to a local association participating in the Statewide Professional Standards Enforcement Program are subject to the WRA Citation Policy. This is new for some members, as not all local associations have utilized a citation policy before participating in the statewide program. The citation policy allows the association to issue fines and education requirements for violations of specific articles of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics.
Any person, whether a member or not, may file a complaint against an association member alleging a Code of Ethics violation for any of the 17 Articles. Complaints cannot be anonymous, must be in writing and must be timely filed. Ethics complaints must be filed within 180 days after the facts constituting the matter complained of could have been known in the exercise of reasonable diligence or within 180 days after the conclusion of the transaction or event, whichever is later.
Ethics complaints received by the association are forwarded to a grievance panel for review. If it is determined the alleged violations in the complaint are citable offenses, the panel will issue a citation based on a predetermined fine schedule. The policy limits the number and type of citations a member may receive. Respondents can choose to either comply with the citation or request an ethics hearing. The identity of the complainant will be kept confidential unless the respondent requests a hearing.
If you see something, say something. That doesn’t mean your first and only response is to file a complaint. Many times, a misunderstanding or miscommunication can be successfully resolved by talking to the other agent or their managing broker. This may be enough to correct any issues, including unethical behavior. If not, filing an ethics complaint may lead to a citation being issued or the dispute being resolved through mediation before going to a formal ethics hearing.
Real estate is a self-policing industry, or self-correcting, as some like to say. Due to the cooperative nature of this business, no one wants to see themselves on either side of an ethics complaint. It’s not easy to call attention to a peer’s unethical behavior, but it is a step to take to help elevate professionalism.
Ethics Citation Policy Highlights
Applicable Articles and Standards of Practice
- Article 1: 1-6, 1-7, 1-8
- Article 3: 3-6, 3-8, 3-9
- Article 4: second sentence
- Article 6: 6-1
- Article 12: 12-1, 12-3, 12-4, 12-5, 12-6, 12-7, 12-8, 12-9, 12-10, 12-12, 12-13
- Article 16: 16-16, 16-19
Automatic Escalating Fines and Education
- 1st offense: $250
- 2nd offense: $500 + education
- 3rd offense: $1,000 + education
Exception: Article 3, 3-9 — Access to Property
- 1st offense: $1,000
- 2nd offense: $2,000 + education
Failure to comply results in suspension of membership until compliance occurs. See the complete citation policy and schedule of fines at www.wra.org/professionalstandards.
Local Associations Participating in the Statewide Professional Standards Enforcement Program
- Central Wisconsin Board of REALTORS®
- Door County Board of REALTORS®
- Jefferson County Board of REALTORS®
- La Crosse Area REALTORS® Association
- Lake Superior Area REALTORS®
- Lakes Area REALTORS® Association
- Lakeshore REALTORS® Association
- Manitowoc County Board of REALTORS®
- Northwoods Association of REALTORS®
- REALTORS® Association of Northeast Wisconsin
- REALTORS® Association of Northwestern Wisconsin
- REALTORS® Association of South Central Wisconsin
- Rock Green REALTORS® Association
- Southshore REALTORS® Association
- Western Wisconsin REALTORS® Association