Enforcement Administered by GAR
Professional Standards & Ethics
REALTORS® are held to a higher standard. The National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics defines that standard — and the Georgia Association of REALTORS® ensures it's upheld across the state, including here in Walton and Barrow County.
What Is the Code of Ethics?
The NAR Code of Ethics is a set of professional duties that go above and beyond state law. These rules apply only to REALTORS® — real estate professionals who have voluntarily committed to upholding them. The Code covers fair housing, fiduciary duty to clients, and truthful advertising, among other obligations.
If the real estate professional you're dealing with is not a REALTOR®, the Code of Ethics does not apply to them. In that case, your options are the Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC) or the courts.
Key Areas of Professional Standards
📋 Ethics Complaints
If you believe a REALTOR® has violated the Code of Ethics, you can file a complaint with the local board or the Georgia Association of REALTORS®. The focus is on education and corrective action — not financial penalties to consumers.
⚖️ Arbitration
Arbitration is used to resolve business disputes between brokers — typically over commission disagreements — outside of court. A neutral third party reviews the case and issues a binding decision.
🤝 Mediation
Mediation is a voluntary, cooperative process where a neutral mediator helps both parties reach a mutually agreeable solution. It's faster and less formal than arbitration or litigation.
🏛️ License Law Violations
Ethics boards cannot suspend or revoke a real estate license. If you believe a law has been broken — not just an ethical rule — that must be reported to the Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC).
What a REALTORS® Board Can (and Cannot) Do
It's helpful to understand the scope of what an ethics board is empowered to do before filing a complaint.
Boards CAN:
- Require a REALTOR® to complete ethics education courses
- Issue a formal reprimand
- Impose fines for serious or repeated violations
- Suspend or terminate a REALTOR®'s membership
Boards CANNOT:
- Award money or damages to a consumer who filed the complaint
- Issue punitive damages of any kind
- Suspend or revoke a real estate license (only GREC can do this)
How to File an Ethics Complaint
Before filing a formal complaint, it's worth attempting to resolve the issue directly. Many disputes stem from miscommunication and can be resolved through a direct conversation with the agent or their principal broker.
- Speak directly with the REALTOR® or their broker to address the concern informally.
- If unresolved, verify that the individual is a REALTOR® member subject to the Code of Ethics (contact GAR to confirm).
- Visit the GAR Ethics Complaint page and follow the official complaint process.
- A grievance committee will review the complaint and determine whether a hearing is warranted.
- If a violation is found, the panel will determine appropriate disciplinary action, with an emphasis on education.
Arbitration: Resolving Business Disputes
Arbitration is available for business-to-business disputes — most commonly commission disagreements between brokers. It provides a legally binding resolution without going to court.
A Request for Arbitration must be filed: (1) after the real estate transaction has been completed; (2) within six months of when the dispute reasonably could have been discovered; and (3) by the broker of a real estate agency — not by a consumer.
Not sure whether arbitration or mediation is right for your situation? Watch NAR's short overview video comparing both options.
Reporting License Law Violations
If you believe a real estate professional has violated Georgia real estate law — not just the Code of Ethics — that complaint must go to the Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC). GREC is the state authority with the power to investigate and discipline license holders, including revoking or suspending licenses.
Questions? Contact GAR Professional Standards
To verify whether a real estate professional is a REALTOR® member, or for questions about the ethics or arbitration process, contact the Georgia Association of REALTORS®:
Christina Chow
📞 678-597-4128
✉️ cchow@garealtor.com
For local member support, contact the Walton Barrow Board of REALTORS® at waltonbarrow@gmail.com.