Code of Ethics and Standards of Professionalism

Article 1: DUTY TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC

It is the duty of the Property Manager to protect the public against fraud, misrepresentation, and unethical practices in property management.

• 1-1 The Property Manager shall endeavor to eliminate in the community, through the normal course of business, any practices which could be damaging to the public or bring discredit to the profession.
• 1-2 The Property Managers shall assist the governmental agency charged with regulating the practices of property Managers.
• 1-3 The Property Manager shall comply with all local and state ordinances regarding real estate law, licensing, insurance, and banking.
• 1-4 The Property Manager shall not knowingly, during or following the relationship of their professional relationships with their clients or their tenants, reveal confidential information of the clients or tenants. The Property Manager must take all pre-cautions in keeping information in regard to owners and tenants reasonably secured to prevent identity theft.
• 1-5 The Property Manger shall use reasonable efforts to be sure that information on their websites is current. If it becomes apparent that information on the website is not current, then the Property Manager shall promptly take corrective action.
• 1-6 The websites of the Property Manager shall not contain any deceptive metatags or other devices/methods to direct, drive, or divert Internet traffic or to otherwise mislead customers. The websites shall also not manipulate listing content in any way that produces a deceptive or misleading result.

Article 2: DISCRIMINATION

The Property Manager shall not discriminate in the rental, lease, or negotiation for real property based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or handicap and shall comply with all federal, state, and local laws concerning discrimination.

• 2-1 It is the duty of the Property Manager to educate those with whom the Property Manager is affiliated with to comply with all fair housing laws.

Article 3: DUTY TO CLIENT

The Property Manager has a fiduciary responsibility to the Client and shall at all times act in the best interests of the Client.

• 3-1 The Property Manager shall use a written management agreement outlining all responsibilities and fees. The Client will be provided a copy and the Property Manager will maintain a copy.
• 3-2 The Property Managers shall communicate regularly with the Client and provide written reports of receipts and disbursements on a regular and agreed upon basis. In the event of any dispute, the Property Manager shall provide a written accounting as soon as practical.
• 3-3 Tenant applications shall be reviewed and verified in order to determine the Applicant’s ability to pay and to determine the likelihood that the Applicant will comply with all provisions of the rental agreement.
• 3-4 The Property Manager shall accept no commissions, rebates, profits, discounts, or any other benefit which has not been fully disclosed to and approved by the Client.
• 3-5 The Property Manager shall not mislead owners with the market value of the property, in an attempt to secure a listing.

Article 4: DUTY TO TENANTS

The Property Manager shall treat all Tenants professionally when applying for, living in, and vacating a managed residence. The Property Manager shall hold a high regard for the safety and health of those lawfully at a managed property.

• 4-1 The Property Manager shall offer all Applicants a written application.
• 4-2 The Property Managers shall provide all Tenants with a copy of the signed rental agreement with all addenda.
• 4-3 The Property Manager shall make all disclosures as required by state and local laws and provide the Tenant an opportunity to complete a written condition report at the time of moving in.
• 4-4 The Property Manager shall respond promptly to requests for repairs.
• 4-5 Within the time prescribed by law, a written deposit refund determination shall be provided to the Tenant after they have vacated the property. No undue delay in refunding or accounting for the security deposit shall take place.
• 4-6 The Property Manager shall avoid exaggeration, misrepresentation, misinformation, or concealment of pertinent facts relating to the advertisement, leasing, and management of the property.

Article 5: PROPERTY CONDITION

The Property Manager shall manage all properties in accordance with safety and habitability requirements of the local jurisdiction.

• 5-1 The Property Manager shall not manage properties for Clients who refuse or are unable to maintain their property in accordance with safety and habitability requirements of the local jurisdiction.

Article 6: PROTECTION OF FUNDS

The Property Manager shall hold all funds received on behalf of others in compliance with state law with full disclosure to the Client and must never commingle the firm’s or personal funds with those of the Client.

Article 7: DUTY TO DISCLOSE EXPERTISE

The Property Manager must provide accurate information within his area of expertise, but refrain from the unauthorized practice of other professions, including but not limited to the law, accounting, financial planning, construction, and contracting.

Article 8: DUTY TO FIRM

The Property Manager shall act in the best interests of their Employer/Broker.

• 8-1 The Property Manager shall have no undisclosed conflict of interest with their Employer/Broker and shall notify their Employer/Broker immediately if a conflict should arise.
• 8-2 The Property Manager shall receive no kickbacks, rebates, or any other benefits without full disclosure to Employer/Broker.
• 8-3 The Property Manager may not take or use any proprietary documentation or client/tenant lists during or after relationship with Employer/Broker without express written consent from Employer/Broker.

Article 9: RELATIONS WITH COMPETITORS

The Property Manager shall refrain from criticizing competitors or their business
practices.

• 9-1 the Property Manager shall treat all competitors in a fair and professional manner and shall not knowingly engage in any practice or take any action against a competitor in an unbusiness like manner.
• 9-2 The Property Manager shall not knowingly solicit competitor’s clients. This does not preclude the Property Manager from making general announcements. For purposes of this code, a general announcement may be defined as a general telephone canvass or a general mailing or distribution addressed to all prospects in a given geographical area or in a specific profession, business, club, organization, or other classification or group.
• 9-3 In the event of a controversy between Property Managers with different firms, the Property Managers shall submit the dispute to mediation rather than litigate the matter.

Article 10: PRICE FIXING

The Property Manager shall not engage in the improper acts of price fixing, anti-trust, or anti-competition with other Property Managers.

• 10-1 Unless the Property Manager is purchasing another property management company, fees, commissions, and compensations, shall not be discussed with other Property Managers. The Property Manager shall always seek to avoid the appearance of impropriety in these matters.
• 10-2 The Property Manager’s fees, commissions, and compensations shall be determined by the Property Manager or the Property Manager’s Broker based upon, but not limited to, expertise, experience, and the cost of service or expense.