The board of directors of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) has ratified changes to Standard of Practice 10-5 (SOP 10-5) and Professional Standards Policy Statement 29, which are part of Article 10 of the Code of Ethics.
According to NAR, the updated language aligns the definition of “harassment” with the NAR Member Code of Conduct and focuses its application on instances in which realtors are operating in their professional capacity. Article 10 of the Code of Ethics prohibits realtors from denying equal professional services and employment opportunities based on protected characteristics that include race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. NAR adopted SOP 10-5 in 2020 to further clarify the application of Article 10 by prohibiting realtors from using harassing speech, hate speech, epithets, or slurs.
“NAR continually assesses and, when appropriate, amends the Code of Ethics to ensure the specific articles are clear in their language and intent, and can be enforced fairly and consistently,” said Kevin Sears, president of NAR. “Consistent with our deep commitment to upholding principles of fair housing and equal treatment for all consumers, these amendments provide clarity to our members, reduce risk for state and local associations enforcing the Code of Ethics, and bring Article 10 in line with similar requirements applied by other large trade associations.”
My issue is the code applies to our personal lives, not just our professional lives. This is clearly overreach, especially since we as many in our industry, do not have a choice to be members if we want access to the MLS.
I did not actually read the changes, does it apply to personal time??
Whether at work or at home, ever should be treated with kindness and kindness/compassion.
Respect is earned, I understand that’s how people feel. But you should treat with respect until
They lose it.
Orange, green purple from the planet Pluto. Any part of the human connection fits this narrative.
I appreciate this addition to the Code of Ethics. Hate speech has no place in any environment, much less a service oriented one.
NAR continues to never allow Members any discussion, input or vote. Just like the fiasco “Settlement” that hurt so many from Buyer to Buyer’s Agents to Sellers in their No Vote by Members settlement. If only there were another entity, many of the Members would like such a choice.
I’ve been licensed for over 30 years.
NAR threw us under the Bus with the lawsuit last year and completely lost my trust. I’m not really interested in them telling me what I can and can’t say. I see no point in their existence at this point.
It’s almost embarrassing to be a member of NAR now. Discrimination? Hate speech? Realtors are having a hard enough time still trying to adhere to the convoluted tour and agency agreements than engage in discrimination.
They are becoming a archaic organization that has passed its usefulness.
Hopefully we’ll see on the horizon a class-action lawsuit of real estate agents against NAR.