[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":523},["ShallowReactive",2],{"document-real-estate-code-of-ethics-D14042":3},{"document":4,"label":22,"preview":11,"thumb":23,"thumb600":24,"description":5,"descriptionCustom":6,"apiDescription":5,"pages":8,"extension":10,"parents":25,"breadcrumb":29,"related":37,"customDescModule":174,"customdescription":6,"mdFm":175,"mdProseHtml":522},{"description":5,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":7,"pages":8,"size":9,"extension":10,"preview":11,"thumb":12,"svgFrame":13,"seoMetadata":14,"parents":16,"keywords":21},"REAL ESTATE CODE OF ETHICS [YOUR REAL ESTATE COMPANY NAME] [YOUR REAL ESTATE COMPANY NAME] is committed to conducting all business activities with integrity, professionalism, and respect for our clients, colleagues, and the communities we serve. Our real estate professionals are dedicated to upholding the highest ethical standards, ensuring that every transaction is conducted transparently and fairly. This Code of Ethics serves as a guide for the professional conduct of all agents, brokers, and employees within our organization. COMMITMENT TO CLIENTS Real estate professionals at [YOUR REAL ESTATE COMPANY NAME] shall prioritize the best interests of their clients in all transactions. We are committed to providing honest, professional, and knowledgeable advice, ensuring that our clients are fully informed throughout the buying, selling, or leasing process. HONESTY AND INTEGRITY All real estate transactions must be conducted with honesty and integrity. Real estate professionals must provide accurate information, avoid misrepresentation, and disclose all known material facts that could affect the value or desirability of a property. CONFIDENTIALITY Real estate professionals must protect the confidentiality of their clients' information, including financial details and personal data. This information should only be disclosed with the client's consent or when legally required. Confidentiality is key to maintaining trust and ensuring that clients feel secure in their transactions. TRANSPARENCY AND DISCLOSURE Real estate professionals are required to disclose any conflicts of interest, including personal or financial interests in a transaction, and must always act in the best interest of their clients. Transparency in all dealings is essential to maintaining the trust and confidence of clients. FAIRNESS AND NON-DISCRIMINATION Real estate professionals at [YOUR REAL ESTATE COMPANY NAME] must treat all clients, colleagues, and other parties in a transaction with fairness and respect. Discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, or any other protected characteristic is strictly prohibited. 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Number is [Insert], and its Business License Number is [insert]. Independent Contractor has complied with all Federal, State, and local laws regarding business permits, sales permits, licenses, reporting requirements, tax withholding requirements, and other legal requirements of any kind that may be required to carry out said business and the Scope of Work which is to be performed as an Independent Contractor pursuant to this Agreement. Independent Contractor is or remains open to conducting similar tasks or activities for clients other than the Company and holds themselves out to the public to be a separate business entity. Company desires to engage and contract for the services of the Independent Contractor to perform certain tasks as set forth below. Independent Contractor desires to enter into this Agreement and perform as an independent contractor for the company and is willing to do so on the terms and conditions set forth below. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals and the mutual promises and conditions contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows: TERMS This Agreement shall be effective commencing [Date], and shall continue until terminated at the completion of the Scope of Work which shall occur no later than [Date] or by either party as otherwise provided herein. STATUS OF INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR This Agreement does not constitute a hiring by either party. It is the parties intentions that Independent Contractor shall have an independent contractor status and not be an employee for any purposes, including, but not limited to, [laws]. Independent Contractor shall retain sole and absolute discretion in the manner and means of carrying out their activities and responsibilities under this Agreement. This Agreement shall not be considered or construed to be a partnership or joint venture, and the Company shall not be liable for any obligations incurred by Independent Contractor unless specifically authorized in writing. Independent Contractor shall not act as an agent of the Company, ostensibly or otherwise, nor bind the Company in any manner, unless specifically authorized to do so in writing. TASKS, DUTIES, AND SCOPE OF WORK Independent Contractor agrees to devote as much time, attention, and energy as necessary to complete or achieve the following: [Describe]. The above to be referred to in this Agreement as the \"Scope of Work\". It is expected that the Scope of Work will completed by [Date]. Independent Contractor shall additionally perform any and all tasks and duties associated with the Scope of Work set forth above, including but not limited to, work being performed already or related change orders. Independent Contractor shall not be entitled to engage in any activities which are not expressly set forth by this Agreement. The books and records related to the Scope of Work set forth in this Agreement shall be maintained by the Independent Contractor at the Independent Contractor's principal place of business and open to inspection by Company during regular working hours. Documents to which Company will be entitled to inspect include, but are not limited to, any and all contract documents, change orders/purchase orders and work authorized by Independent Contractor or Company on existing or potential projects related to this Agreement. Independent Contractor shall be responsible to the management and directors of Company, but Independent Contractor will not be required to follow or establish a regular or daily work schedule. Supply all necessary equipment, materials and supplies. Independent Contractor will not rely on the equipment or offices of Company for completion of tasks and duties set forth pursuant to this Agreement. Any advice given Independent Contractors regarding the scope of work shall be considered a suggestion only, not an instruction. Company retains the right to inspect, stop, or alter the work of Independent Contractor to assure its conformity with this Agreement. ASSURANCE OF SERVICES Independent Contractor will assure that the following individuals (the \"Key Employees\") will be available to perform, and will perform, the Services hereunder until they are completed (identify by title and name as applicable): [Name of Key Employee, Title] [Name of Key Employee, Title] The Key Employees may be changed only with the prior written approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. COMPENSATION Independent Contractor shall be entitled to compensation for performing those tasks and duties related to the Scope of Work as follows: [Describe] Such compensation shall become due and payable to Independent Contractor in the following time, place, and manner: [Describe] NOTICE CONCERNING WITHHOLDING OF TAXES Independent Contractor recognizes and understands that it will receive a [specify tax] statement and related tax statements, and will be required to file corporate and/or individual tax returns and to pay taxes in accordance with all provisions of applicable Federal and State law. Independent Contractor hereby promises and agrees to indemnify the Company for any damages or expenses, including attorney's fees, and legal expenses, incurred by the Company as a result of independent contractor's failure to make such required payments. AGREEMENT TO WAIVE RIGHTS TO BENEFITS Independent Contractor hereby waives and foregoes the right to receive any benefits given by Company to its regular employees, including, but not limited to, health benefits, vacation and sick leave benefits, profit sharing plans, etc. This waiver is applicable to all non-salary benefits which might otherwise be found to accrue to the Independent Contractor by virtue of their services to Company, and is effective for the entire duration of Independent Contractor's agreement with Company. This waiver is effective independently of Independent Contractor's employment status as adjudged for taxation purposes or for any other purpose. Neither this Agreement, nor any duties or obligations under this Agreement may be assigned by either party without the consent of the other. TERMINATION This Agreement may be terminated prior to the completion or achievement of the Scope of Work by either party giving [number] days written notice. Such termination shall not prejudice any other remedy to which the terminating party may be entitled, either by law, in equity, or under this Agreement. NON-DISCLOSURE OF TRADE SECRETS, CUSTOMER LISTS AND OTHER PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Independent Contractor agrees not to disclose or communicate, in any manner, either during or after Independent Contractor's agreement with Company, information about Company, its operations, clientele, or any other information, that relate to the business of Company including, but not limited to, the names of its customers, its marketing strategies, operations, or any other information of any kind which would be deemed confidential, a trade secret, a customer list, or other form of proprietary information of Company. Independent Contractor acknowledges that the above information is material and confidential and that it affects the profitability of Company. ","Independent Contractor Agreement","6",62,"https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/1000px/independent-contractor-agreement-D160.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/160.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/svgs/docviewerWebApp1.html?v6#160.xml",{"title":6,"description":6},[95],{"label":96,"url":97},"Consultant & Contractors","consulting-contractor-business","independent contractor agreement","/template/independent-contractor-agreement-D160",{"description":101,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":102,"pages":103,"size":104,"extension":10,"preview":105,"thumb":106,"svgFrame":107,"seoMetadata":108,"parents":109,"keywords":115,"url":116},"Employee Handbook Understanding employment at [YOUR COMPANY NAME] Revised on [DATE] Prepared By: [YOUR NAME] [YOUR JOB TITLE] Phone 555.555.5555 Email info@yourbusiness.com www.yourbusiness.com Table of Content Table of Content 2 Welcome to [YOUR COMPANY NAME]! 5 1. Organization Description 6 1.1 Introductory Statement 6 1.2 Customer Relations 6 1.3 Products and Services Provided 7 1.4 Facilities and Location(s) 7 1.5 The History of [YOUR COMPANY NAME] 7 1.6 Management Philosophy 7 1.7 Goals 8 2. The Employment 9 2.1 Nature of Employment 9 2.2 Employee Relations 9 2.3 Equal Employment Opportunity 10 2.4 Diversity 10 2.5 Business Ethics and Conduct 12 2.6 Personal Relationships in the Workplace 13 2.7 Conflicts of Interest 13 2.8 Outside Employment 14 2.9 Non-Disclosure 15 2.10 Disability Accommodation 16 2.11 Job Posting and Employee Referrals 17 2.12 Whistleblower Policy 18 2.13 Accident and First Aid 20 3. Employment Status and Records 21 3.1 Employment Categories 21 3.2 Access to Personnel Files 22 3.3 Personnel Data Changes 23 3.4 Probation Period 23 3.5 Employment Applications 24 3.6 Performance Evaluation 24 3.7 Job Descriptions 25 3.8 Salary Administration 25 3.9 Professional Development 26 4. Employee Benefit Programs 27 4.1 Employee Benefits 27 4.2 Vacation Benefits 27 4.3 Military Service Leave 29 4.4 Religious Observance 29 4.5 Holidays 29 4.6 Workers Insurance 30 4.7 Sick Leave Benefits 31 4.8 Bereavement Leave 32 4.9 Relocation Benefits 33 4.10 Educational Assistance 33 4.11 Health Insurance 34 4.12 Life Insurance 35 4.13 Long Term Disability 35 4.14 Marriage, Maternity and Parental Leave 36 5. Timekeeping / Payroll 40 5.1 Timekeeping 40 5.2 Paydays 40 5.3 Employment Termination 41 5.4 Administrative Pay Corrections 42 6. Work Conditions and Hours 43 6.1 Work Schedules 43 6.2 Absences 43 6.3 Jury Duty 45 6.4 Use of Phone and Mail Systems 45 6.5 Smoking 46 6.6 Meal Periods 46 6.7 Overtime 46 6.8 Use of Equipment 47 6.9 Telecommuting 47 6.10 Emergency Closing 48 6.11 Business Travel Expenses 49 6.12 Visitors in the Workplace 51 6.13 Computer and Email Usage 51 6.14 Internet Usage 52 6.15 Workplace Monitoring 54 6.16 Workplace Violence Prevention 55 7. Employee Conduct & Disciplinary Action 57 7.1 Employee Conduct and Work Rules 57 7.2 Sexual and Other Unlawful Harassment 58 7.3 Attendance and Punctuality 60 7.4 Personal Appearance 60 7.5 Return of Property 61 7.6 Resignation and Retirement 61 7.7 Security Inspections 62 7.8 Progressive Discipline 62 7.9 Problem Resolution 64 7.10 Workplace Etiquette 65 7.11 Suggestion Program 67 Acknowledgement of Receipt 68 Welcome to [YOUR COMPANY NAME]! On behalf of your colleagues, we welcome you to [YOUR COMPANY NAME] and wish you every success here. At [YOUR COMPANY NAME], we believe that each employee contributes directly to the growth and success of the company, and we hope you will take pride in being a member of our team. This handbook was developed to describe some of the expectations of our employees and to outline the policies, programs, and benefits available to eligible employees. Employees should become familiar with the contents of the employee handbook as soon as possible, for it will answer many questions about employment with [YOUR COMPANY NAME]. We believe that professional relationships are easier when all employees are aware of the culture and values of the organization. This guide will help you to better understand our vision for the future of our business and the challenges that are ahead. We hope that your experience here will be challenging, enjoyable, and rewarding. Again, welcome! [PRESIDENT NAME] President & CEO 1. Organization Description 1.1 Introductory Statement This handbook is designed to acquaint you with [YOUR COMPANY NAME] and provide you with information about working conditions, employee benefits, and some of the policies affecting your employment. You should read, understand, and comply with all provisions of the handbook. It describes many of your responsibilities as an employee and outlines the programs developed by [YOUR COMPANY NAME] to benefit employees. One of our objectives is to provide a work environment that is conducive to both personal and professional growth. No employee handbook can anticipate every circumstance or question about policy. As [YOUR COMPANY NAME] continues to grow, the need may arise and [YOUR COMPANY NAME] reserves the right to revise, supplement, or rescind any policies or portion of the handbook from time to time as it deems appropriate, in its sole and absolute discretion. Employees will be notified of such changes to the handbook as they occur. 1.2 Customer Relations Customers are among our organization's most valuable assets. Every employee represents [YOUR COMPANY NAME] to our customers and the public. The way we do our jobs presents an image of our entire organization. Customers judge all of us by how they are treated with each employee contact. Therefore, one of our first business priorities is to assist any customer or potential customer. Nothing is more important than being courteous, friendly, helpful, and prompt in the attention you give to customers. [YOUR COMPANY NAME] will provide customer relations and services training to all employees with extensive customer contact. Customers who wish to lodge specific comments or complaints should be directed to the [TITLE AND NAME OF THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE] for appropriate action. Our personal contact with the public, our manners on the telephone, and the communications we send to customers are a reflection not only of ourselves, but also of the professionalism of [YOUR COMPANY NAME]. Positive customer relations not only enhance the public's perception or image of [YOUR COMPANY NAME], but also pay off in greater customer loyalty and increased sales and profit. 1.3 Products and Services Provided You will find more information about our products and services by reading the [YOUR COMPANY NAME] Corporate Brochures. 1.4 Facilities and Location(s) Head Office: [ADDRESS] [CITY], [STATE] [ZIP/POSTAL CODE] [COUNTRY] 1.5 The History of [YOUR COMPANY NAME] [DESCRIBE THE HISTORY OF YOUR COMPANY HERE] 1.6 Management Philosophy [YOUR COMPANY NAME] management philosophy is based on responsibility and mutual respect. Our wishes are to maintain a work environment that fosters on personal and professional growth for all employees. Maintaining such an environment is the responsibility of every staff person. Because of their role, managers and supervisors have the additional responsibility to lead in a manner which fosters an environment of respect for each person. People who come to [YOUR COMPANY NAME] want to work here because we have created an environment that encourages creativity and achievement. [YOUR COMPANY NAME] aims to become a leader in [DESCRIBE YOUR COMPANY'S FIELD OF EXPERTISE]. The mainstay of our strategy will be to offer a level of client focus that is superior to that offered by our competitors. To help achieve this objective, [YOUR COMPANY NAME] seeks to attract highly motivated individuals that want to work as a team and share in the commitment, responsibility, risk taking, and discipline required to achieve our vision. Part of attracting these special individuals will be to build a culture that promotes both uniqueness and a bias for action. While we will be realistic in setting goals and expectations, [YOUR COMPANY NAME] will also be aggressive in reaching its objectives. This success will in turn enable [YOUR COMPANY NAME] to give its employees above average compensation and innovative benefits or rewards, key elements in helping us maintain our leadership position in the worldwide marketplace. 1.7 Goals [DESCRIBE YOUR COMPANY'S GOALS HERE] 2. 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NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows: NON-DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION Both Parties understand and agree that each Party may have access to the confidential information of the other party. For the purposes of this Agreement, \"Confidential Information\" means proprietary and confidential information about the Disclosing Party's (or it's suppliers') business or activities. Such information includes all business, financial, technical, and other information marked or designated by such Party as \"confidential\" or \"proprietary.\" Confidential Information also includes information which, by the nature of the circumstances surrounding the disclosure, ought in good faith to be treated as confidential. For the purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information does not include: Information that is currently in the public domain or that enters the public domain after the signing of this Agreement. Information a Party lawfully receives from a third Party without restriction on disclosure and without breach of a non-disclosure obligation. Information that the Receiving Party knew prior to receiving any Confidential Information from the Disclosing Party. Information that the Receiving Party independently develops without reliance on any Confidential Information from the Disclosing Party. Each Party agrees that it will not disclose to any third Party or use any Confidential Information disclosed to it by the other Party except when expressly permitted in writing by the other Party. Each Party also agrees that it will take all reasonable measures to maintain the confidentiality of all Confidential Information of the other Party in its possession or control. TERM The term of this Agreement is [number] of [years/months] from the date of execution by both Parties. TITLE The Receiving Party agrees that all Confidential Information furnished by the Disclosing Party shall remain the sole property of the Disclosing Party. 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The Corporation may, in its sole discretion, increase or reduce the duties, or modify the title and job description, of the Employee from time to time, and any such increase, reduction or modification shall not be deemed a termination of this Agreement. ACCEPTANCE OF EMPLOYMENT Employee accepts employment with the Corporation upon the terms set forth above and agrees to devote all Employee's time, energy and ability to the interests of the Corporation, and to perform Employee's duties in an efficient, trustworthy and business-like manner. DEVOTION OF TIME TO EMPLOYMENT The Employee shall devote the Employee's best efforts and substantially all of the Employee's working time to performing the duties on behalf of the Corporation. The Employee shall provide services during the hours that are scheduled by the Corporation management. The Employee shall be prompt in reporting to work at the assigned time. NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST Employee shall not engage in any other business while employed by the Corporation. Employee shall not engage in any activity that conflicts with the Employees duties to the Corporation. Employee shall not provide any service or lend any aid or assistance to any party that competes with the services offered by the Corporation. Employee shall not provide any services to clients or prospective clients of the Corporation outside of the provision of services for the Corporation, whether such services are provided with or without compensation or remuneration. CORPORATION PROPERTY Employee acknowledges and agrees that while employed by the Corporation the Employee may be provided with use of computer equipment and other property of the Corporation. The use and possession of the such items shall be subject to any policies, requirements or restrictions established by the Corporation. Such items may only be used in performance of the Employee's duties for the corporation. On request of the Corporation, the Employee shall immediately deliver any such items to the Corporation. Upon termination of employment, Employee shall have the affirmative duty to return any such item to the Corporation whether a request is made or not. The obligation to return Corporation property shall extend and include any and all work product, client property, proprietary rights, intangible property, and all other property of the corporation regardless of the form or medium. COMPENSATION The Corporation shall pay the Employee such hourly compensation as determined by the Corporation. Payment shall be at the same time as the Corporations usual payroll to other employees. BONUS & BENEFITS Payment of any bonuses shall be at the complete discretion of the Corporation. No guarantee or representation that any bonuses will be paid has been made to the Employee. Standard benefits that are provided to other non-management employees shall be offered to the Employee, subject to the Corporation's policies and the terms and conditions of such benefits. WITHHOLDING All sums payable to Employee under this Agreement will be reduced by all federal, state, local, and other withholdings and similar taxes and payments required by applicable law. QUALIFICATIONS OF EMPLOYEE The employee shall satisfy all of the qualification that are established by the Corporation. TERM OF AGREEMENT There shall be no guaranteed term of employment. Employer acknowledges and agrees that Employee shall be an \"At Will\" Employee and that Employee's employment may be terminated at any time by the Corporation, with or without cause. FEES FROM EMPLOYEE'S WORK The Corporation shall have exclusive authority to determine the fees, or a procedure for establishing the fees, to be charged to clients by the Corporation for services that are provided by the Employee. All sums paid to the Employee or the Corporation in the way of fees, in cash or in kind, or otherwise for services of the Employee, shall, except as otherwise specifically agreed by the Corporation, be and remain the property of the Corporation and shall be included in the Corporation's name in such checking account or accounts as the Corporation may from time to time designate. CLIENTS AND CLIENT RECORDS The Corporation shall have the authority to determine who will be accepted as clients of the Corporation, and the Employee recognizes that such clients accepted are clients of the Corporation and not the Employee. All client records and files of any type concerning clients of the Corporation shall belong to and remain the property of the Corporation, notwithstanding the subsequent termination of the employment. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES The Corporation shall have the authority to establish from time to time the policies and procedures to be followed by the Employee in performing services for the Corporation. This may include, but is not necessarily limited to, employment policies, computer use policies, Internet access policies, email policies, and all other policies, procedures, directives, and mandates established by the Corporation, whether or not in written form or formally adopted. Employee shall abide by the provisions of any contract entered into by the Corporation under which the Employee provides services. Employee shall comply with the terms and conditions of any and all contracts entered by the Corporation. TERMINATION Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee is an \"at will\" employee of the Corporation. As such, no term of employment is created hereby and employee may be terminated at any time in the sole discretion of the Corporation, whether there exists any cause for termination or not. CREATIONS AND INVENTIONS Employee acknowledges and agrees that any and all work product of the Employee that is conceived or created during the Employee's employment with the Corporation is the exclusive property of the Corporation. This shall include any and all copyrights, trade secrets, confidential information, patents, trademarks, trade dress, ideas, concepts, plans, business plans, business concepts, techniques, inventions, drawings, artwork, logos, graphics, web pages, databases, software, programs, CGI's, plug ins, applications, brochures, inventions, marketing plans and concepts, and all other ideas and work product of the Employee. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that all creations shall be \"works made for hire\" as defined in the [ACT OR CODE]. Notwithstanding the fact that this material may be considered to be a work made for hire, Employee agrees, during Employee's employment and thereafter, which covenant shall survive any termination of the employment relationship, to execute any and all documents requested by the Corporation to confirm the Corporation's ownership and control of all such material, including but not limited to assignments of copyright, confirmations of work for hire status, waivers of proprietary rights, copyright application, and any other documents requested by Corporation. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS","Employment Agreement_At Will Employee","7","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/1000px/employment-agreement_at-will-employee-D541.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/541.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/svgs/docviewerWebApp1.html?v6#541.xml",{"title":140,"description":6},"employment agreement_at will employee",[142,143,146],{"label":111,"url":112},{"label":144,"url":145},"Hire an Employee","hire-employee",{"label":18,"url":127},"employment agreement at will employee","/template/employment-agreement-at-will-employee-D541",{"description":150,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":151,"pages":8,"size":9,"extension":10,"preview":152,"thumb":153,"svgFrame":154,"seoMetadata":155,"parents":157,"keywords":160,"url":161},"CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY FOR BOARD MEMBERS PURPOSE The purpose of this Conflict of Interest Policy at [YOUR ORGANIZATION NAME] is to provide clear guidelines to ensure that all decisions made by board members are in the best interest of the organization. The Policy aims to prevent situations where personal, financial, or other interests could potentially conflict with the duty of board members to serve the organization's objectives. SCOPE This Policy applies to all board members of [YOUR ORGANIZATION NAME] and governs any situations where personal interests could impact their decision-making. It includes all direct and indirect interests, including financial, business, or other material benefits that may be gained from board decisions. POLICY PRINCIPLES Duty of Loyalty: Board members must prioritize the interests of [YOUR ORGANIZATION NAME] above their personal or financial interests when making decisions on behalf of the organization. Disclosure: Any board member who has a personal, financial, or other conflict of interest in a matter under consideration must disclose it to the board. Recusal: Board members must recuse themselves from discussions and decisions where a conflict of interest is identified to prevent biased decision-making. Transparency: All conflicts of interest must be documented in the minutes of the meeting and made transparent to relevant stakeholders. IDENTIFYING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Financial Interests: Board members must disclose any financial interests they or their family members have in organizations or entities that do business with [YOUR ORGANIZATION NAME]. Personal Relationships: Conflicts may arise from personal relationships with staff, vendors, or other board members that could influence a board member's judgment. Competing Organizations: Board members should disclose any involvement in competing organizations or other entities that could create a conflict with their duties to [YOUR ORGANIZATION NAME]. DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS Annual Disclosure: Board members are required to submit an annual disclosure form identifying any potential conflicts of interest they may have. Ongoing Disclosure: In addition to annual disclosures, board members must promptly disclose any new potential conflicts as they arise during the course of their term. MANAGING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Conflict Review: Upon disclosure of a potential conflict, the board will review the situation and determine if a conflict of interest exists.","Conflict Of Interest Policy For Board Members","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/1000px/conflict-of-interest-policy-for-board-members-D13933.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/13933.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/svgs/docviewerWebApp1.html?v6#13933.xml",{"title":156,"description":6},"conflict of interest policy for board members",[158,159],{"label":111,"url":112},{"label":35,"url":114},"conflict interest policy for board members","/template/conflict-of-interest-policy-for-board-members-D13933",{"description":163,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":164,"pages":8,"size":9,"extension":10,"preview":165,"thumb":166,"svgFrame":167,"seoMetadata":168,"parents":170,"keywords":169,"url":173},"WHISTLEBLOWER POLICY POLICY STATEMENT [COMPANY NAME] is committed to conducting its business with honesty and integrity at all times. If, at any time, this commitment is not respected or appears to be in question, [COMPANY NAME] will endeavour to identify and remedy such situations. Therefore, it is the company's policy to ensure that when a person has reasonable grounds to believe that an employee, manager or any other person related to the company has committed, or is about to commit, an offence that could harm the company's business or reputation, it denounces the wrongdoers in question. The whistleblowing policy has been put in place to: Encourage employees, partners or managers to disclose this information or behaviour; Protecting complainants from reprisals; Treated all parties to an investigation in a fair and equitable manner; To ensure confidentiality as much as possible; Take corrective and disciplinary action if wrongdoing is discovered. PURPOSE The purpose of this whistleblowing policy is to encourage current and former employees, contractual third parties or partners to communicate events that raise serious concerns about [COMPANY NAME]. [COMPANY NAME] encourages and will support staff who report illegal practices or individuals who violate the organization's policies. SCOPE This policy applies to all employees of [COMPANY NAME], as well as contractual third parties or partners doing business with the company. DUTY TO REPORT MISCONDUCT It is the duty of all employees, contractual third parties or partners to report misconduct or suspected misconduct, including fraud and financial impropriety to the board. This includes misconducts such as but not limited to:","Whistleblower Policy","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/1000px/whistleblower-policy-D12649.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/12649.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/svgs/docviewerWebApp1.html?v6#12649.xml",{"title":169,"description":6},"whistleblower policy",[171,172],{"label":111,"url":112},{"label":35,"url":114},"/template/whistleblower-policy-D12649",false,{"seo":176,"reviewer":187,"legal_disclaimer":191,"quick_facts":192,"at_a_glance":194,"personas":198,"variants":223,"glossary":250,"clauses":287,"how_to_fill":338,"common_mistakes":379,"faqs":404,"industries":432,"comparisons":449,"diy_vs_lawyer":465,"jurisdictions":478,"related_template_ids_curated":499,"schema":510,"classification":511},{"meta_title":177,"meta_description":178,"primary_keyword":179,"secondary_keywords":180},"Real Estate Code of Ethics Template (Free Word)","Free real estate code of ethics template covering fiduciary duties, confidentiality, fair dealing, and professional conduct. Used in 190+ countries. Free Word and PDF download.","real estate code of ethics template",[181,182,183,184,185,186],"real estate ethics policy template","real estate professional conduct policy","real estate brokerage ethics document","real estate agent ethics agreement","code of ethics template word","real estate compliance policy template",{"name":188,"credential":189,"reviewed_date":190},"Bruno Goulet","CEO, Business in a Box","2026-05-02",true,{"difficulty":193,"legal_review_recommended":191,"signature_required":191},"advanced",{"what_it_is":195,"when_you_need_it":196,"whats_inside":197},"A Real Estate Code of Ethics is a binding policy document that establishes the professional conduct standards, fiduciary obligations, fair-dealing requirements, and disciplinary procedures that govern agents, brokers, and staff operating under a real estate brokerage or association. This free Word download gives you a structured, legally grounded starting point you can edit online and export as PDF for signatures and record-keeping.\n","Use it when onboarding new agents, formalizing brokerage conduct standards, responding to a regulatory audit, or updating policies to reflect changes in licensing law or industry association requirements. It is also triggered when a misconduct complaint surfaces and the brokerage needs documented standards to reference.\n","The document covers fiduciary duties to clients, confidentiality and disclosure obligations, fair-housing compliance, conflicts of interest, advertising and marketing standards, anti-discrimination commitments, professional courtesy obligations between practitioners, and a disciplinary and grievance procedure for violations.\n",[199,203,207,211,215,219],{"title":200,"use_case":201,"icon_asset_id":202},"Real estate brokers","Establishing written conduct standards for every agent under their license","persona-real-estate-broker",{"title":204,"use_case":205,"icon_asset_id":206},"Independent real estate agents","Documenting personal ethical commitments when operating as a sole practitioner","persona-real-estate-agent",{"title":208,"use_case":209,"icon_asset_id":210},"Property management firms","Setting conduct standards for leasing agents and property managers","persona-property-manager",{"title":212,"use_case":213,"icon_asset_id":214},"Real estate association administrators","Issuing a baseline ethics policy to member practitioners","persona-association-administrator",{"title":216,"use_case":217,"icon_asset_id":218},"Real estate franchise owners","Supplementing franchisor requirements with a brokerage-specific ethics policy","persona-franchise-applicant",{"title":220,"use_case":221,"icon_asset_id":222},"Commercial real estate firms","Governing broker conduct in complex multi-party transactions and tenant representation","persona-commercial-real-estate",[224,228,231,234,238,242,246],{"situation":225,"recommended_template":226,"slug":227},"Residential brokerage with multiple licensed agents","Real Estate Code of Ethics (Brokerage)","real-estate-code-of-ethics-D14042",{"situation":229,"recommended_template":230,"slug":227},"Individual agent committing to personal professional standards","Real Estate Agent Code of Conduct",{"situation":232,"recommended_template":233,"slug":227},"Property management company governing leasing staff","Property Management Code of Ethics",{"situation":235,"recommended_template":236,"slug":237},"Commercial real estate firm with tenant and landlord representation","Commercial Real Estate Ethics Policy","worksheet-commercial-real-estate-investment-assessment-D13806",{"situation":239,"recommended_template":240,"slug":241},"Real estate association issuing membership conduct requirements","Association Membership Ethics Agreement","llc-membership-agreement-D14005",{"situation":243,"recommended_template":244,"slug":245},"Franchise brokerage supplementing national franchisor ethics standards","Franchise Real Estate Conduct Addendum","deed-of-sale-real-estate-property-D1172",{"situation":247,"recommended_template":248,"slug":249},"Real estate team documenting internal fair-housing and anti-bias commitments","Fair Housing Compliance Policy","tax-compliance-policy-D13786",[251,254,257,260,263,266,269,272,275,278,281,284],{"term":252,"definition":253},"Fiduciary Duty","A legal obligation to act in the best interests of a client, placing their interests above the agent's own financial or personal gain.",{"term":255,"definition":256},"Dual Agency","A situation in which a single agent or brokerage represents both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction, creating a potential conflict of interest.",{"term":258,"definition":259},"Disclosure Obligation","The duty to proactively inform clients and counterparties of material facts — including conflicts of interest, known defects, and agency relationships — that could affect a transaction decision.",{"term":261,"definition":262},"Fair Housing Act","US federal law prohibiting discrimination in housing transactions on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability.",{"term":264,"definition":265},"Steering","The illegal practice of directing buyers or renters toward or away from certain neighborhoods based on protected characteristics such as race or national origin.",{"term":267,"definition":268},"Material Fact","Any information that a reasonable person would consider significant in deciding whether to buy, sell, lease, or finance a property.",{"term":270,"definition":271},"Client Confidentiality","The obligation to protect non-public information shared by a client — including financial position, motivation to sell or buy, and negotiating limits — from disclosure to third parties.",{"term":273,"definition":274},"Grievance Procedure","A formal, documented process for receiving, investigating, and resolving complaints alleging violations of a code of ethics or professional standards.",{"term":276,"definition":277},"Earnest Money","A deposit made by a buyer to demonstrate serious intent to purchase; its handling and accounting are typically governed by brokerage ethics and trust-account rules.",{"term":279,"definition":280},"Trust Account","A segregated bank account in which a broker holds client funds — deposits, earnest money, rents — separate from the brokerage's own operating funds.",{"term":282,"definition":283},"Commingling","The prohibited practice of mixing client funds held in trust with the broker's personal or business operating funds.",{"term":285,"definition":286},"Anti-Discrimination Policy","A written brokerage commitment to treat all clients, customers, and counterparties equally, without regard to protected characteristics under applicable fair-housing and human-rights laws.",[288,293,298,303,308,313,318,323,328,333],{"name":289,"plain_english":290,"sample_language":291,"common_mistake":292},"Purpose and Scope","States the objectives of the code, identifies who is bound by it (all licensed agents, unlicensed assistants, and administrative staff), and references any governing association standards it supplements.","This Code of Ethics applies to [BROKERAGE NAME] ('Firm') and all licensed and unlicensed personnel operating under the Firm's supervision. It supplements the standards of [ASSOCIATION NAME, e.g., National Association of REALTORS®] and applicable licensing law in [STATE / PROVINCE].","Scoping the code to licensed agents only. Unlicensed assistants who interact with clients can create liability if their conduct is not covered.",{"name":294,"plain_english":295,"sample_language":296,"common_mistake":297},"Fiduciary Duties to Clients","Enumerates the core duties owed to represented clients — loyalty, confidentiality, disclosure, obedience, reasonable care, and accounting — and distinguishes obligations owed to unrepresented customers.","When representing a client, each Agent owes the duties of loyalty, confidentiality, disclosure of material facts, obedience to lawful instructions, and reasonable care. When dealing with unrepresented customers, Agents shall treat all parties honestly and shall not provide services requiring a license without disclosure.","Conflating duties owed to clients with those owed to customers. Misidentifying the relationship level creates both disclosure failures and professional liability.",{"name":299,"plain_english":300,"sample_language":301,"common_mistake":302},"Confidentiality and Information Handling","Prohibits agents from disclosing a client's financial position, motivation to buy or sell, or negotiating limits to any third party, including counterparties and cooperating brokers.","Agents shall not disclose any Confidential Client Information — including financial capacity, seller motivation, purchase price limits, or negotiating strategy — to any person outside the representation relationship without the client's prior written consent.","No definition of what constitutes confidential information. Without specifics, agents inadvertently disclose motivation or financial details in casual counterparty conversations.",{"name":304,"plain_english":305,"sample_language":306,"common_mistake":307},"Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest","Requires agents to promptly disclose any personal interest in a transaction — ownership stake, family relationship, or financial benefit — and to obtain informed written consent before proceeding.","Any Agent with a personal, financial, or familial interest in a property or transaction must disclose that interest in writing to all represented parties and to the Firm's designated broker before performing any services related to the transaction.","Treating verbal disclosure as sufficient. Oral conflict disclosures are nearly impossible to prove after a dispute arises and do not satisfy most licensing board requirements.",{"name":309,"plain_english":310,"sample_language":311,"common_mistake":312},"Dual Agency and Designated Agency","Sets the rules for when and how the brokerage may represent both buyer and seller, including the required written consent, the limitations on agent conduct, and whether designated agency is permitted as an alternative.","Dual Agency — representing both Buyer and Seller in the same transaction — is permitted only with the prior informed written consent of both parties on the form prescribed by [STATE LICENSING AUTHORITY]. Where permitted, Designated Agency shall be offered as an alternative whenever practicable.","Omitting the limitation on what a dual agent may do. Without a limitations clause, clients expect full advocacy — and when they don't receive it, complaints and lawsuits follow.",{"name":314,"plain_english":315,"sample_language":316,"common_mistake":317},"Fair Housing and Anti-Discrimination","Commits the brokerage and all agents to full compliance with federal, state, and local fair-housing laws, prohibits steering and discriminatory marketing, and requires equal professional service to all clients regardless of protected characteristics.","No Agent shall discriminate against any person in the provision of real estate services on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Agents shall not engage in steering, redlining, or any marketing practice that results in unequal service.","Listing only federal protected classes. Many states and municipalities add protected categories — sexual orientation, source of income, immigration status — that the code must also address.",{"name":319,"plain_english":320,"sample_language":321,"common_mistake":322},"Advertising and Marketing Standards","Requires all advertising to be truthful, to identify the brokerage, and to comply with licensing board advertising rules, including social media and online listing platforms.","All advertising and marketing materials — including online listings, social media posts, email campaigns, and signage — must clearly identify [BROKERAGE NAME] and comply with [STATE] advertising regulations. Agents shall not make false, misleading, or unsubstantiated claims about properties, services, or market conditions.","Treating social media posts as personal content exempt from brokerage advertising rules. Licensing boards in most jurisdictions require brokerage identification on all public-facing agent communications.",{"name":324,"plain_english":325,"sample_language":326,"common_mistake":327},"Trust Account and Financial Integrity","Prohibits commingling of client funds, requires prompt deposit of earnest money and rents into the designated trust account, and mandates accurate record-keeping of all client funds.","All client funds — including earnest money deposits, security deposits, and rental proceeds — shall be deposited into the Firm's designated trust account within [NUMBER] business days of receipt. Agents shall not commingle client funds with personal or business operating funds under any circumstances.","No specified deposit timeline. Vague instructions like 'promptly' are routinely cited in licensing audits as insufficient; most state boards require a specific number of business days.",{"name":329,"plain_english":330,"sample_language":331,"common_mistake":332},"Professional Courtesy and Cooperation","Establishes conduct standards for interactions with other real estate professionals, including cooperating brokers, competing agents, and multiple listing service (MLS) members.","Agents shall treat all real estate professionals, cooperating brokers, and MLS members with honesty and respect. Agents shall not solicit clients under exclusive representation by another broker, make false statements about competitors, or attempt to interfere with existing agency relationships.","No clause on interfering with existing agency relationships. Soliciting another broker's listed client is one of the most common ethics complaints and one of the most overlooked omissions in brokerage codes.",{"name":334,"plain_english":335,"sample_language":336,"common_mistake":337},"Disciplinary Procedure and Enforcement","Defines how complaints are submitted, who investigates them, what sanctions are available (warning, suspension, termination, referral to the licensing board), and how findings are documented.","Any complaint alleging a violation of this Code shall be submitted in writing to the Designated Broker within [NUMBER] days of the alleged violation. The Firm shall investigate within [NUMBER] business days and may impose sanctions including written warning, mandatory retraining, suspension, termination of association, or referral to [STATE LICENSING BOARD].","No written record of investigation outcomes. Without documented findings, the brokerage cannot demonstrate due diligence if a licensing board or court later reviews the complaint.",[339,344,349,354,359,364,369,374],{"step":340,"title":341,"description":342,"tip":343},1,"Identify all parties bound by the code","Enter the brokerage's full legal name and specify every category of personnel covered — licensed agents, unlicensed assistants, property managers, and administrative staff. Reference the governing state or provincial licensing authority by name.","If your brokerage operates in multiple states, list each licensing authority separately rather than using a blanket reference.",{"step":345,"title":346,"description":347,"tip":348},2,"Reference the applicable association standards","If your agents are members of NAR, CREA, or a state or provincial association, cite the association's code by name and confirm whether this document supplements or replaces it. Most brokerages supplement rather than replace.","NAR's Code of Ethics is updated annually — confirm you are referencing the current edition year to avoid a stale citation.",{"step":350,"title":351,"description":352,"tip":353},3,"Define fiduciary duties and agency relationship types","Specify which agency relationships the brokerage offers — buyer representation, seller representation, dual agency, and designated agency — and define the duties attached to each. Confirm these match your state's agency disclosure requirements.","Some states — including Texas and Florida — use 'intermediary' rather than 'dual agency.' Use the statutory term for your jurisdiction.",{"step":355,"title":356,"description":357,"tip":358},4,"Complete the fair housing and anti-discrimination clause","List every protected class under federal law plus any additional categories protected by your state or municipality. Review your local human rights ordinances — many cities have expanded protections beyond federal minimums.","Run a side-by-side comparison of federal, state, and municipal protected classes before finalizing this clause. Missing a local category is a common and costly oversight.",{"step":360,"title":361,"description":362,"tip":363},5,"Set trust account deposit timelines","Enter the specific number of business days within which agents must deposit earnest money and other client funds into the trust account. Confirm this matches your state licensing board's mandatory timeline.","Most state boards require deposit within 1–3 business days. If your board specifies a different period, use that number — stricter internal rules are permissible, looser ones are not.",{"step":365,"title":366,"description":367,"tip":368},6,"Tailor the advertising standards clause","List the specific platforms and media covered — MLS, Zillow, social media, email, print, signage — and confirm the brokerage identification requirement matches your state's advertising rules.","Several state boards have issued guidance specifically addressing social media. Include a reference to those rules or link to the board's published guidance in a footnote.",{"step":370,"title":371,"description":372,"tip":373},7,"Define the disciplinary procedure with specific timelines","Enter the number of days within which complaints must be submitted and investigated, name the designated broker as the responsible investigator, and list all available sanctions in order of severity.","Build a parallel complaints log template — even a simple spreadsheet — so every complaint received is date-stamped at intake. The log is your first exhibit if the case reaches a licensing board.",{"step":375,"title":376,"description":377,"tip":378},8,"Obtain signatures before the agent's first active transaction","Both the brokerage's designated broker and each covered agent must sign and date the code before the agent conducts any client-facing activity. File the executed copy in the agent's personnel record.","Use a separate acknowledgment page that the agent signs independently of the main document. This makes it easier to update the code without re-executing the entire agreement.",[380,384,388,392,396,400],{"mistake":381,"why_it_matters":382,"fix":383},"Listing only federal fair-housing protected classes","State and municipal laws add protected categories — source of income, sexual orientation, immigration status, and others — that vary by location. Omitting them exposes the brokerage to complaints it is not equipped to defend.","Research your state licensing board's fair-housing bulletin and your municipality's human rights ordinance before finalizing the clause. Update the list whenever local law changes.",{"mistake":385,"why_it_matters":386,"fix":387},"No specified earnest money deposit timeline","Vague language like 'promptly' or 'without delay' fails most state licensing board audits and leaves the brokerage unable to demonstrate compliance when a client complaint is filed.","Insert a specific number of business days that meets or exceeds your state board's minimum requirement. Include the governing statutory citation in a footnote.",{"mistake":389,"why_it_matters":390,"fix":391},"Omitting dual agency limitations","A dual-agency clause that permits the practice without specifying what the agent can and cannot do creates an expectation of full advocacy that cannot be fulfilled — leading to complaints and potential lawsuits.","State explicitly that a dual agent may not disclose either party's confidential information, may not advocate for price movement in either direction, and must treat both parties impartially.",{"mistake":393,"why_it_matters":394,"fix":395},"Relying on verbal conflict-of-interest disclosures","Oral disclosures cannot be verified after a dispute and do not satisfy the written disclosure requirements of most state licensing boards and NAR's Code of Ethics.","Require all conflict disclosures to be made on a signed form before the agent provides any service in the affected transaction. File the completed form in the transaction record.",{"mistake":397,"why_it_matters":398,"fix":399},"Covering licensed agents only and excluding unlicensed staff","Unlicensed assistants who answer phones, prepare documents, or interact with clients can create brokerage liability for conduct that the code does not address.","Extend the scope clause to all personnel under the brokerage's supervision, including unlicensed assistants, transaction coordinators, and administrative staff.",{"mistake":401,"why_it_matters":402,"fix":403},"No written record of disciplinary investigations and outcomes","If a licensing board or court reviews a complaint, the brokerage must demonstrate it took the allegation seriously and followed its own documented procedure. Undocumented investigations are treated as no investigation at all.","Create a standard investigation summary form that captures the complaint date, parties involved, findings, sanctions imposed, and the date the matter was closed. Retain it for at least 5 years.",[405,408,411,414,417,420,423,426,429],{"question":406,"answer":407},"What is a real estate code of ethics?","A real estate code of ethics is a binding policy document that defines the professional conduct standards, fiduciary duties, disclosure obligations, and disciplinary procedures governing agents and brokers operating under a brokerage or real estate association. It establishes what agents owe their clients, how they must treat counterparties and competitors, and what happens when those standards are violated. Most major associations — including the National Association of REALTORS® — maintain their own code, which individual brokerages typically supplement with a brokerage-specific policy.\n",{"question":409,"answer":410},"Is a real estate code of ethics legally binding?","Yes, when properly executed. A signed code of ethics creates contractual obligations between the brokerage and each agent, and its terms can be enforced through disciplinary action, termination of association, or referral to the state licensing board. Association codes — such as the NAR Code of Ethics — are binding on members as a condition of membership. Violations can also constitute a breach of fiduciary duty actionable by clients in civil litigation.\n",{"question":412,"answer":413},"Who is required to follow a real estate code of ethics?","At minimum, all licensed agents and brokers operating under a brokerage's license are bound. A well-drafted code extends to unlicensed assistants, transaction coordinators, property managers, and administrative staff who interact with clients or handle transaction documents. Association membership codes typically bind all members regardless of their specific role or brokerage affiliation.\n",{"question":415,"answer":416},"What is the difference between a real estate code of ethics and a brokerage policy manual?","A code of ethics focuses specifically on professional conduct standards, fiduciary obligations, client relationships, fair-housing compliance, and disciplinary procedures. A brokerage policy manual is broader — covering office procedures, commission structures, MLS participation rules, transaction file requirements, and administrative policies. The code of ethics is typically a standalone signed document; the policy manual is a reference guide. Both should exist and cross-reference each other.\n",{"question":418,"answer":419},"Do I need a real estate code of ethics if my agents are already NAR members?","Yes, for two reasons. First, the NAR Code of Ethics sets minimum standards for all members but does not address brokerage-specific practices — trust account timelines, dual-agency procedures, social media advertising rules, and internal disciplinary processes all require a brokerage-level document. Second, a signed brokerage code creates an independent contractual record that the brokerage can enforce directly, without relying on the association's grievance process.\n",{"question":421,"answer":422},"How often should a real estate code of ethics be updated?","Review the code annually, at minimum. The NAR Code of Ethics is updated each January and state fair-housing regulations change without a fixed schedule. Trigger an immediate review when a new protected class is added by state or municipal law, when your state licensing board issues new guidance on advertising or agency disclosure, or when a complaint reveals a gap in the existing policy.\n",{"question":424,"answer":425},"What happens if an agent violates the code of ethics?","The disciplinary procedure outlined in the code governs the response. Sanctions typically escalate from a written warning and mandatory retraining to suspension of association rights, termination of the independent contractor or employment relationship, and referral to the state licensing board. Serious violations — fraud, commingling of funds, or fair-housing discrimination — may also result in license suspension or revocation by the state authority and civil or criminal liability.\n",{"question":427,"answer":428},"Does a real estate code of ethics need to be signed by agents?","Yes. An unsigned code is an unenforceable policy document. Every agent and covered staff member should sign an acknowledgment — ideally a separate page that can be updated independently of the main document — confirming they have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by the code. Execute the acknowledgment before the agent conducts any client-facing activity, and retain a copy in the agent's personnel file.\n",{"question":430,"answer":431},"Can a brokerage's code of ethics be stricter than the NAR Code of Ethics?","Yes, and this is common practice. A brokerage may impose higher standards than the association minimum — shorter trust account deposit timelines, mandatory written disclosures in situations where the association only recommends them, or broader anti-discrimination protections. A brokerage code cannot, however, give agents permission to do something the association code or state law prohibits.\n",[433,437,441,445],{"industry":434,"icon_asset_id":435,"specifics":436},"Residential Real Estate","industry-real-estate","Dual-agency consent forms, fair-housing steering prohibitions, and earnest money trust account rules are the most heavily used provisions in residential brokerage codes.",{"industry":438,"icon_asset_id":439,"specifics":440},"Commercial Real Estate","industry-commercial-real-estate","Tenant and landlord representation conflicts, broker cooperation on off-market deals, and confidentiality of financial underwriting data require more detailed conflict-of-interest and confidentiality clauses than residential codes typically contain.",{"industry":442,"icon_asset_id":443,"specifics":444},"Property Management","industry-property-management","Rental security deposit handling, anti-discrimination in tenant screening, and maintenance contractor referral disclosure are the conduct areas most relevant to property management firms.",{"industry":446,"icon_asset_id":447,"specifics":448},"Real Estate Associations and Franchises","industry-association","Associations and franchise systems use the code as a membership condition, requiring agents to sign at onboarding and re-sign annually when the code is updated to reflect regulatory changes.",[450,454,458,462],{"vs":451,"vs_template_id":452,"summary":453},"Brokerage Policy Manual","D{BROKERAGE_POLICY_MANUAL_ID}","A brokerage policy manual governs day-to-day operational procedures — commission splits, MLS participation, transaction file requirements, and office conduct. A code of ethics focuses specifically on professional and fiduciary standards, client obligations, and disciplinary procedures. Both documents are necessary; the code of ethics is the binding conduct standard, and the policy manual is the operational reference. Reference each in the other document to avoid gaps.",{"vs":455,"vs_template_id":456,"summary":457},"Independent Contractor Agreement (Real Estate)","independent-contractor-agreement-D160","An independent contractor agreement defines the commercial terms of the agent-brokerage relationship — commission structure, expenses, exclusivity, and termination. A code of ethics defines the conduct standards the agent must meet while operating under that relationship. The two documents work together; the contractor agreement should reference the code of ethics as an incorporated exhibit and binding condition.",{"vs":459,"vs_template_id":460,"summary":461},"Real Estate Agency Disclosure Form","D{AGENCY_DISCLOSURE_FORM_ID}","An agency disclosure form is a client-facing document that explains the agency relationship offered in a specific transaction — buyer's agent, seller's agent, dual agent. A code of ethics is an internal governance document that establishes the standards agents must follow across all transactions. The disclosure form fulfills a statutory client-notification requirement; the code of ethics governs agent conduct between transactions and within the brokerage.",{"vs":102,"vs_template_id":463,"summary":464},"employee-handbook-D712","An employee handbook covers workplace policies for W-2 employees — hours, benefits, leave, and general conduct. Most real estate agents are independent contractors, not employees, making a standard employee handbook inapplicable to their relationship with the brokerage. A real estate code of ethics is specifically designed for the independent contractor structure and references licensing law, association standards, and fiduciary obligations that a general employee handbook does not address.",{"use_template":466,"template_plus_review":470,"custom_drafted":474},{"best_for":467,"cost":468,"time":469},"Individual agents or small brokerages in a single state supplementing an existing association code","Free","1–2 hours to customize and execute",{"best_for":471,"cost":472,"time":473},"Multi-agent brokerages, brokerages operating in more than one state, or firms adding dual-agency or designated-agency provisions","$400–$900 for a real estate attorney review","3–7 days",{"best_for":475,"cost":476,"time":477},"Large brokerages, franchise systems, or firms operating across multiple states with complex agency, trust account, and advertising compliance requirements","$1,500–$4,000+","2–4 weeks",[479,484,489,494],{"code":480,"name":481,"flag_asset_id":482,"note":483},"us","United States","flag-us","Real estate licensing and agency law is state-regulated; there is no single federal standard governing brokerage codes of ethics beyond fair-housing requirements under the Fair Housing Act. The NAR Code of Ethics — updated annually — is the most widely recognized baseline for member brokerages. State licensing boards in California, Texas, Florida, and New York have issued specific guidance on dual agency, trust account handling, and advertising that must be reflected in brokerage-level codes. Non-NAR member brokerages are not bound by NAR standards but remain subject to state licensing law.",{"code":485,"name":486,"flag_asset_id":487,"note":488},"ca","Canada","flag-ca","Real estate regulation in Canada is provincial. CREA (Canadian Real Estate Association) members are bound by the CREA Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practice. Provincial regulatory bodies — including RECO in Ontario, RECBC in British Columbia, and RECA in Alberta — each maintain their own conduct standards and trust account rules that must be incorporated by reference. Quebec operates under the Organisme d'autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec (OACIQ), with separate French-language requirements.",{"code":490,"name":491,"flag_asset_id":492,"note":493},"uk","United Kingdom","flag-uk","The Property Ombudsman (TPO) Code of Practice and the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA Propertymark) Code of Practice are the primary voluntary conduct standards in England and Wales. Compliance with these codes is required for TPO membership and provides important consumer protection credentials. The Estate Agents Act 1979 imposes statutory duties on all agents, including conflict of interest disclosure and accurate property description requirements. Scotland operates under additional regulations including the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006.",{"code":495,"name":496,"flag_asset_id":497,"note":498},"eu","European Union","flag-eu","Real estate regulation varies significantly by EU member state — there is no single pan-EU licensing or ethics framework. France, Germany, and Spain each operate national licensing systems with their own conduct standards. GDPR applies to all EU real estate professionals handling client personal data, requiring specific data handling, retention, and consent provisions in any code of ethics or brokerage policy. The European Association of Real Estate Professions (CEPI) publishes voluntary European professional standards that member associations reference.",[456,463,500,501,502,503,504,505,506,507,508,509],"non-disclosure-agreement-nda-D12692","employment-agreement-at-will-employee-D541","conflict-of-interest-policy-for-board-members-D13933","whistleblower-policy-D12649","real-estate-purchase-agreement-D13234","property-management-agreement-D1196","exclusive-right-to-sell-D1174","advertising-sales-representation-agreement-D5214","residential-service-agreement-D14047","lease-agreement-D1179",{"emit_how_to":191,"emit_defined_term":191},{"primary_folder":512,"secondary_folder":114,"document_type":513,"industry":514,"business_stage":515,"tags":516,"confidence":521},"business-administration","policy","real-estate","all-stages",[514,517,518,519,520],"compliance","code-of-ethics","professional-conduct","fiduciary",0.92,"\u003Ch2>What is a Real Estate Code of Ethics?\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>A \u003Cstrong>Real Estate Code of Ethics\u003C/strong> is a binding policy document that establishes the professional conduct standards, fiduciary obligations, disclosure requirements, and disciplinary procedures governing every agent, broker, and covered staff member operating under a real estate brokerage or association. It defines what practitioners owe their clients — loyalty, confidentiality, honest dealing, and accurate accounting of funds — and sets the rules for interactions with counterparties, competing brokers, and the public. Unlike a general employee handbook, a real estate code of ethics is calibrated to the specific legal structure of the industry: independent contractor relationships, trust account obligations, agency disclosure requirements, and fair-housing law all require provisions that no generic conduct policy addresses.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch2>Why You Need This Document\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>Operating a real estate brokerage without a written, signed code of ethics exposes you to four overlapping categories of risk simultaneously. First, without documented fiduciary standards, a client who suffers a loss — from an undisclosed conflict of interest, an improperly handled dual-agency situation, or a confidentiality breach — has no written standard to measure the agent's conduct against, but a court or licensing board will supply one anyway. Second, state licensing boards in virtually every US jurisdiction and every Canadian province treat the absence of a written trust account and advertising policy as a compliance failure on routine audit. Third, fair-housing violations — including steering, discriminatory marketing, and unequal service — expose the brokerage to federal civil rights liability regardless of whether a policy existed; a documented anti-discrimination commitment and training record are your primary mitigation evidence. Fourth, without a formal disciplinary procedure, a complaint against an agent forces you to improvise a response in front of the licensing board, creating the appearance of inconsistent or retaliatory enforcement. This template gives you a professionally structured, legally grounded starting point that closes all four gaps — and can be customized for your state's specific agency, advertising, and trust account rules in under two hours.\u003C/p>\n",1781186001262]