We Don’t Tolerate Hate

The National Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors has approved a series of recommendations by the NAR Professional Standards Committee. The approved recommendations extend the application of Article 10 of the Code of Ethics to all discriminatory speech and conduct, not just within the practice of real estate. The change also makes a revision to the NAR Bylaws, expanding "public trust" to include all discrimination against the protected classes in Article 10.

Article 10 states: REALTORS® shall not deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. REALTORS® shall not be parties to any plan or agreement to discriminate against a person or persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. (Amended 1/14)

The approved change adds a new Standard of Practice 10-5 which reads: "REALTORS® must not use harassing speech, hate speech, epithets, or slurs based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity." A new Appendix XII to Part Four of the Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual lays out the proper application of the proposed Standard of Practice 10-5, including an explanation of the terms used within the Standard of Practice, such that consistent application of these policies can be achieved.

The changes to the Code of Ethics go into effect immediately but cannot be applied to conduct occurring before November 13th, 2020. You can read more here.