[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":519},["ShallowReactive",2],{"document-realtor-code-of-ethics-D14044":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":35,"customDescModule":173,"customdescription":6,"mdFm":174,"mdProseHtml":518},{"description":5,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":7,"pages":8,"size":9,"extension":10,"preview":11,"thumb":12,"svgFrame":13,"seoMetadata":14,"parents":16,"keywords":21},"REALTOR CODE OF ETHICS [YOUR REALTY COMPANY NAME] As a member of [YOUR REALTY COMPANY NAME], all realtors are expected to adhere to a high standard of ethical conduct in their professional dealings. This Code of Ethics outlines the principles that guide our realtors in their relationships with clients, other realtors, and the public. We are committed to fostering trust, transparency, and professionalism in every real estate transaction. LOYALTY TO CLIENTS Realtors at [YOUR REALTY COMPANY NAME] shall always act in the best interests of their clients. This includes providing honest and accurate advice, prioritizing the client's needs, and ensuring that the client's interests are represented fairly and diligently throughout the transaction process. HONESTY AND INTEGRITY Realtors must conduct their business with the highest level of honesty and integrity. This includes providing accurate information, avoiding deception or misrepresentation, and being transparent in all communications. Realtors must always be truthful in their dealings with clients, other realtors, and the public. CONFIDENTIALITY Realtors must protect the confidentiality of their clients' personal and financial information. Client information should only be disclosed when legally required or with the client's explicit consent. Realtors must maintain the trust of their clients by safeguarding their privacy. FULL DISCLOSURE Realtors are obligated to disclose all relevant information that could impact a client's decision-making process. This includes any conflicts of interest, material facts about the property, and any other information that could affect the value or desirability of the property. FAIRNESS AND NON-DISCRIMINATION Realtors at [YOUR REALTY COMPANY NAME] shall treat all clients, colleagues, and other parties in a transaction with fairness and respect. Discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, familial status, national origin, or any other protected characteristic is strictly prohibited. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE Realtors must maintain and enhance their professional knowledge and skills. 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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},[94],{"label":95,"url":96},"Consultant & Contractors","consulting-contractor-business","independent contractor agreement","/template/independent-contractor-agreement-D160",{"description":100,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":101,"pages":8,"size":9,"extension":10,"preview":102,"thumb":103,"svgFrame":104,"seoMetadata":105,"parents":107,"keywords":106,"url":113},"NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT (NDA) This Non-Disclosure Agreement (the \"Agreement\") is made and effective [DATE], BETWEEN: [YOUR COMPANY NAME] (the \"Disclosing Party\"), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [YOUR COMPLETE ADDRESS] AND: [RECEIVING PARTY NAME] (the \"Receiving Party\"), an individual with his main address located at OR a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [COMPLETE ADDRESS] WHEREAS, Receiving Party has been or will be engaged in the performance of work on [DESCRIBE]; and in connection therewith will be given access to certain confidential and proprietary information; and WHEREAS, Receiving Party and Disclosing Party wish to evidence by this Agreement the manner in which said confidential and proprietary material will be treated. 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. DISCLAIMER","Non Disclosure Agreement Nda","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/1000px/non-disclosure-agreement-nda-D12692.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/12692.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/svgs/docviewerWebApp1.html?v6#12692.xml",{"title":106,"description":6},"non disclosure agreement nda",[108,110],{"label":18,"url":109},"business-legal-agreements",{"label":111,"url":112},"Confidentiality Agreements","confidentiality-agreement","/template/non-disclosure-agreement-nda-D12692",{"description":115,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":116,"pages":117,"size":118,"extension":10,"preview":119,"thumb":120,"svgFrame":121,"seoMetadata":122,"parents":123,"keywords":130,"url":131},"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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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":125,"url":126},{"label":144,"url":145},"Hire an Employee","hire-employee",{"label":18,"url":109},"/template/employment-agreement_at-will-employee-D541",{"description":149,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":150,"pages":8,"size":9,"extension":10,"preview":151,"thumb":152,"svgFrame":153,"seoMetadata":154,"parents":156,"keywords":159,"url":160},"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":155,"description":6},"conflict of interest policy for board members",[157,158],{"label":125,"url":126},{"label":128,"url":129},"conflict interest policy for board members","/template/conflict-of-interest-policy-for-board-members-D13933",{"description":162,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":163,"pages":8,"size":9,"extension":10,"preview":164,"thumb":165,"svgFrame":166,"seoMetadata":167,"parents":169,"keywords":168,"url":172},"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":168,"description":6},"whistleblower policy",[170,171],{"label":125,"url":126},{"label":128,"url":129},"/template/whistleblower-policy-D12649",false,{"seo":175,"reviewer":187,"quick_facts":191,"at_a_glance":194,"personas":198,"variants":223,"glossary":252,"clauses":286,"how_to_fill":337,"common_mistakes":378,"faqs":403,"industries":431,"comparisons":448,"diy_vs_lawyer":461,"jurisdictions":474,"related_template_ids_curated":495,"schema":506,"classification":507},{"meta_title":176,"meta_description":177,"primary_keyword":178,"secondary_keywords":179},"Realtor Code of Ethics Template (Free Word)","Free Realtor Code of Ethics template covering fiduciary duties, client confidentiality, fair housing, and professional conduct. Used in 190+ countries. Free Word and PDF download.","realtor code of ethics template",[180,181,182,183,184,185,186],"realtor ethics agreement template","real estate agent code of conduct","realtor professional conduct policy","real estate ethics policy word","NAR code of ethics template","real estate agent ethics document","real estate brokerage ethics policy",{"name":188,"credential":189,"reviewed_date":190},"Bruno Goulet","CEO, Business in a Box","2026-05-02",{"difficulty":192,"legal_review_recommended":193,"signature_required":193},"medium",true,{"what_it_is":195,"when_you_need_it":196,"whats_inside":197},"A Realtor Code of Ethics is a binding professional conduct document that establishes the ethical obligations real estate agents and brokers owe to their clients, the public, and fellow practitioners. This free Word download lets you adapt a comprehensive, structured code to your brokerage or individual practice and export it as PDF for signing and filing.\n","Use it when onboarding new agents to a brokerage, establishing a firm-wide conduct standard, or formalizing the ethical framework required by a state licensing board or professional association membership. It is also used when a brokerage needs a documented policy for handling complaints or disciplinary proceedings.\n","Duties to clients and customers, fiduciary obligations, fair housing compliance, disclosure requirements, confidentiality, advertising standards, duties to fellow practitioners, dispute resolution procedures, and acknowledgment and signature blocks.\n",[199,203,207,211,215,219],{"title":200,"use_case":201,"icon_asset_id":202},"Brokerage owners and managing brokers","Establishing a firm-wide ethical standard all agents must sign before practicing","persona-small-business-owner",{"title":204,"use_case":205,"icon_asset_id":206},"Individual real estate agents","Documenting personal commitment to professional conduct for licensing or association compliance","persona-freelancer",{"title":208,"use_case":209,"icon_asset_id":210},"Real estate team leaders","Setting conduct expectations for buyer's and seller's agents on a growing team","persona-operations-director",{"title":212,"use_case":213,"icon_asset_id":214},"Franchise real estate offices","Supplementing franchisor standards with a locally customized ethics policy","persona-franchise-applicant",{"title":216,"use_case":217,"icon_asset_id":218},"Real estate associations and boards","Issuing a model code to member agents as a condition of association membership","persona-hr-manager",{"title":220,"use_case":221,"icon_asset_id":222},"Property management firms","Applying ethical conduct requirements to property managers handling client assets","persona-nonprofit-exec",[224,228,232,236,240,244,248],{"situation":225,"recommended_template":226,"slug":227},"Establishing conduct rules for all agents at a multi-agent brokerage","Realtor Code of Ethics (Brokerage Policy)","realtor-code-of-ethics-D14044",{"situation":229,"recommended_template":230,"slug":231},"Individual agent affirming ethics compliance for licensing renewal","Professional Conduct Acknowledgment","code-of-conduct-D13318",{"situation":233,"recommended_template":234,"slug":235},"Governing the relationship between a buyer and their agent","Buyer Representation Agreement","advertising-sales-representation-agreement-D5214",{"situation":237,"recommended_template":238,"slug":239},"Governing the relationship between a seller and their listing agent","Listing Agreement","exclusive-listing-agreement-D13268",{"situation":241,"recommended_template":242,"slug":243},"Handling referral relationships and fee-sharing between agents","Real Estate Referral Agreement","real-estate-commission-agreement-D13759",{"situation":245,"recommended_template":246,"slug":247},"Documenting agent non-solicitation and non-compete obligations on departure","Independent Contractor Agreement (Real Estate Agent)","independent-contractor-agreement-D160",{"situation":249,"recommended_template":250,"slug":251},"Formalizing property management conduct obligations","Property Management Agreement","property-management-agreement-D1196",[253,256,259,262,265,268,271,274,277,280,283],{"term":254,"definition":255},"Fiduciary Duty","A legal obligation to act in the best interests of a client — covering loyalty, confidentiality, disclosure, obedience, reasonable care, and accounting.",{"term":257,"definition":258},"Dual Agency","A situation where one agent or brokerage represents both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction, creating a potential conflict of interest.",{"term":260,"definition":261},"Material Fact","Any information that would reasonably affect a party's decision to buy, sell, or lease property — agents are typically required to disclose all known material facts.",{"term":263,"definition":264},"Procuring Cause","The agent whose actions were the unbroken chain of events leading to a completed sale, determining who is entitled to a commission.",{"term":266,"definition":267},"Fair Housing Act","US federal law prohibiting discrimination in housing transactions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability.",{"term":269,"definition":270},"Confidentiality Obligation","The agent's duty not to disclose a client's motivation, financial position, or negotiating strategy to opposing parties without authorization.",{"term":272,"definition":273},"Earnest Money","A deposit made by a buyer to demonstrate good faith, held in escrow until closing or returned under conditions specified in the purchase agreement.",{"term":275,"definition":276},"Misrepresentation","A false or misleading statement of fact — or omission of a material fact — made to induce a party to enter a transaction.",{"term":278,"definition":279},"Arbitration (Real Estate)","A binding dispute resolution process administered outside the courts, commonly used by real estate associations to resolve commission and ethics disputes between members.",{"term":281,"definition":282},"Pocket Listing","A property sold through private channels before being listed on the MLS, raising ethical questions about whether the seller's interests are fully served.",{"term":284,"definition":285},"Agency Disclosure","A written notice an agent provides to all parties identifying who the agent represents and what duties are owed to each party.",[287,292,297,302,307,312,317,322,327,332],{"name":288,"plain_english":289,"sample_language":290,"common_mistake":291},"Preamble and Statement of Purpose","Sets out the philosophy and foundational values of the code — honesty, integrity, and professionalism — and explains that adherence is a condition of practice within the brokerage or association.","This Code of Ethics governs the professional conduct of all licensed agents operating under [BROKERAGE NAME] and reflects the standards established by [APPLICABLE ASSOCIATION / LICENSING BODY]. Adherence to this Code is a condition of continued affiliation.","Treating the preamble as a marketing statement rather than a binding commitment. If the code does not explicitly state that violations carry consequences, agents may treat it as aspirational rather than enforceable.",{"name":293,"plain_english":294,"sample_language":295,"common_mistake":296},"Duties to Clients and Customers","Defines the agent's obligations to clients they represent and customers they work with — including honesty, competence, and the duty to put client interests first.","Agents shall at all times represent the interests of their client with loyalty and good faith. When dealing with customers not represented by [BROKERAGE NAME], agents shall treat all parties honestly and shall not misrepresent or withhold any material fact.","Conflating client and customer duties. A client is owed fiduciary duties; a customer is owed only honesty. Treating both identically either under-serves clients or over-extends obligations to unrepresented parties.",{"name":298,"plain_english":299,"sample_language":300,"common_mistake":301},"Fiduciary Obligations","Enumerates the six core fiduciary duties owed to represented clients: loyalty, confidentiality, disclosure, obedience, reasonable care, and accounting.","Agents representing a client owe the duties of loyalty, confidentiality, full disclosure, obedience to lawful instructions, reasonable care and diligence, and accurate accounting of all funds received in connection with the representation.","Omitting the accounting duty. Agents who co-mingle client earnest money or referral fees with operating funds create serious liability and licensing violations, even when the omission was unintentional.",{"name":303,"plain_english":304,"sample_language":305,"common_mistake":306},"Fair Housing and Non-Discrimination","Prohibits agents from steering, discriminating, or making representations based on protected characteristics, and requires affirmative compliance with federal, state, and local fair housing laws.","No agent shall, on account of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, familial status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, refuse to show, sell, or rent property; steer a client toward or away from a neighborhood; or make any representation designed to induce or prevent a transaction.","Listing only the seven federal Fair Housing Act protected classes and omitting state or local additions. Many jurisdictions add source of income, sexual orientation, and marital status — a code that lists only federal classes exposes the brokerage to state-level complaints.",{"name":308,"plain_english":309,"sample_language":310,"common_mistake":311},"Disclosure Obligations","Requires agents to proactively disclose all known material facts affecting the property or transaction, including conflicts of interest, agency relationships, and personal financial interests.","Agents shall disclose to all parties any known material defects, latent conditions, or facts likely to affect the value or desirability of the property. Agents with a personal financial interest in a transaction — including ownership, family relationship, or referral fee — shall disclose such interest in writing before proceeding.","Using a blanket 'as-is' framing to avoid disclosure. Known material defects must be disclosed even in as-is transactions in most jurisdictions; failing to do so exposes the agent and brokerage to rescission claims and license suspension.",{"name":313,"plain_english":314,"sample_language":315,"common_mistake":316},"Advertising and Marketing Standards","Sets requirements for truthful, accurate advertising — including online listings, social media, and signage — and prohibits misleading claims about price, availability, or property condition.","All advertising and marketing materials produced by or on behalf of [BROKERAGE NAME] shall be truthful, accurate, and not misleading. Agents shall not advertise a listed property without the seller's written authorization and shall remove listings from public platforms within [X] days of sale or withdrawal.","No specific rule on social media and online portals. Agents posting outdated listings, unverified square footage, or AI-generated property descriptions without review create misrepresentation liability the brokerage inherits.",{"name":318,"plain_english":319,"sample_language":320,"common_mistake":321},"Confidentiality and Data Protection","Restricts agents from disclosing client financial information, motivation, negotiating position, or personal data to unauthorized parties during or after the transaction.","Agents shall not disclose, without written authorization, the price a client will accept, the client's motivation for selling or buying, or any personal or financial information obtained in the course of representation. This obligation survives the termination of the agency relationship.","Confidentiality clauses that expire at closing. A client's motivation, financial constraints, or health circumstances shared during the transaction remain confidential indefinitely — a time-limited clause invites post-closing disclosures.",{"name":323,"plain_english":324,"sample_language":325,"common_mistake":326},"Duties to Fellow Practitioners","Governs how agents interact with other real estate professionals — including cooperation on listings, commission-sharing, and prohibitions on disparaging competitors.","Agents shall cooperate with other real estate professionals where such cooperation is in the best interest of the client. Agents shall not make false or misleading statements about fellow practitioners and shall not interfere with an existing exclusive agency relationship.","Omitting procuring cause language. Disputes over who earned a commission when multiple agents worked with the same buyer are among the most common inter-agent conflicts — a clear procuring cause standard in the code prevents most of them.",{"name":328,"plain_english":329,"sample_language":330,"common_mistake":331},"Dispute Resolution and Disciplinary Procedures","Establishes the process for filing a complaint, conducting an investigation, and imposing sanctions — including referral to a licensing board, fines, suspension, or termination of affiliation.","Complaints alleging a violation of this Code shall be submitted in writing to [MANAGING BROKER / ETHICS COMMITTEE] within [X] days of the alleged incident. The respondent shall have [X] days to provide a written response. Sanctions may include written reprimand, mandatory training, fines up to $[AMOUNT], suspension, or termination of affiliation.","No defined timelines for the complaint process. An open-ended process exposes the brokerage to claims that complaints were buried or handled inconsistently, which compounds liability if a licensing board investigates.",{"name":333,"plain_english":334,"sample_language":335,"common_mistake":336},"Acknowledgment, Consent, and Signature","Confirms the agent has read and understood the code, agrees to be bound by its terms, and acknowledges that violations may result in the stated disciplinary actions.","I, [AGENT NAME], acknowledge that I have read, understood, and agree to comply with the [BROKERAGE NAME] Code of Ethics. I understand that a violation of this Code may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of my affiliation with [BROKERAGE NAME] and referral to [STATE LICENSING BOARD].","Obtaining a signature on the initial hire date only and never re-obtaining consent when the code is materially updated. A signed acknowledgment of Version 1.0 does not bind the agent to amendments made in Version 2.0 unless they re-sign or the original agreement includes a provision for incorporated amendments.",[338,343,348,353,358,363,368,373],{"step":339,"title":340,"description":341,"tip":342},1,"Insert the brokerage's legal name and licensing details","Replace all [BROKERAGE NAME] placeholders with the brokerage's full registered legal name and include the state or provincial license number. This ties the document to an identifiable legal entity.","Cross-check the legal name against the brokerage's state license record — trade names and legal entity names often differ, and using the wrong one weakens enforceability.",{"step":344,"title":345,"description":346,"tip":347},2,"Align the protected classes list with your jurisdiction","Review the fair housing clause and add any protected characteristics mandated by your state, provincial, or municipal law beyond the federal baseline. Common additions include source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity, and marital status.","Check your state real estate commission's guidance annually — fair housing protected classes are expanded by legislation more often than most agents realize.",{"step":349,"title":350,"description":351,"tip":352},3,"Define disclosure requirements specific to your market","Insert property-type-specific disclosure obligations relevant to your market — lead paint, flood zone, HOA disclosures, stigmatized property rules, or seller property disclosure statement requirements.","If you operate in multiple states, create a jurisdiction-specific addendum rather than overloading the main code with state-by-state variations.",{"step":354,"title":355,"description":356,"tip":357},4,"Set advertising and listing accuracy standards","Specify which portals agents may use, how quickly expired or sold listings must be removed, and what review process applies to AI-generated or third-party marketing copy.","Include a specific social media policy — platforms like Instagram and TikTok create misrepresentation exposure that was not contemplated in codes written before 2018.",{"step":359,"title":360,"description":361,"tip":362},5,"Complete the disciplinary procedure section","Fill in complaint submission timelines, investigation steps, the composition of any ethics committee, and the schedule of sanctions. Make the process specific enough that any agent can predict exactly what will happen if a complaint is filed.","Mirror the timeline used by your state licensing board or associated MLS — consistency between internal and external processes makes disciplinary decisions easier to defend.",{"step":364,"title":365,"description":366,"tip":367},6,"Have the managing broker review the document before distribution","The managing broker should confirm that every clause meets or exceeds the standards required by the state licensing board and any professional association the brokerage belongs to.","If the brokerage is a NAR member, verify that the internal code does not conflict with the current edition of the NAR Code of Ethics, which is updated every two years.",{"step":369,"title":370,"description":371,"tip":372},7,"Obtain dated signatures from all agents before they begin practice","Collect a wet or electronic signature from each agent before their first active transaction. Store signed copies in each agent's personnel file and in a central brokerage compliance folder.","Use a dated e-signature platform so you have a timestamped record — this is the first document a state licensing board will request in any disciplinary investigation.",{"step":374,"title":375,"description":376,"tip":377},8,"Re-obtain acknowledgment whenever the code is materially updated","Any change to duty clauses, protected class lists, or disciplinary procedures constitutes a material update requiring fresh signatures. Include a version number and effective date on every published edition.","Schedule an annual review date in your compliance calendar — even if no changes are made, documenting that a review occurred demonstrates good-faith compliance management.",[379,383,387,391,395,399],{"mistake":380,"why_it_matters":381,"fix":382},"Using a generic code without jurisdiction-specific protected classes","A code listing only the seven federal Fair Housing Act categories misses state and local additions — agents operating under it may discriminate in ways that are illegal locally but not captured by the policy, exposing the brokerage to regulatory action.","Research your state real estate commission's fair housing guidance and add all applicable protected classes before distributing the code for signatures.",{"mistake":384,"why_it_matters":385,"fix":386},"No version control or re-signature requirement on updates","An agent who signed Version 1.0 in 2021 is not automatically bound by a 2024 amendment unless the original agreement contains an incorporated-amendments clause or a new signature was obtained.","Add a version number and effective date to every edition, include a clause stating that material amendments require re-acknowledgment, and collect new signatures within 30 days of any update.",{"mistake":388,"why_it_matters":389,"fix":390},"Omitting post-transaction confidentiality duration","Confidentiality obligations that expire at closing leave the brokerage unprotected — a former agent can legally disclose a client's financial distress or motivation after the deal closes.","State explicitly that confidentiality obligations survive the termination of the agency relationship and have no expiration date.",{"mistake":392,"why_it_matters":393,"fix":394},"No social media and online advertising standards","Agents posting inaccurate square footage, unverified neighborhood claims, or outdated listings on social platforms create misrepresentation liability that attaches to the brokerage even if the post came from a personal account.","Add a dedicated advertising standards clause that covers social media, third-party portals, and AI-generated content, specifying what review or approval is required before publication.",{"mistake":396,"why_it_matters":397,"fix":398},"Signing the acknowledgment after the agent's first transaction","An agent who has already completed a deal under the brokerage's umbrella without signing the code undermines the argument that the code governed their conduct — creating a gap in the brokerage's liability defense.","Make code acknowledgment a prerequisite for accessing the brokerage's MLS credentials, email systems, or listing templates — no signature, no access.",{"mistake":400,"why_it_matters":401,"fix":402},"Undefined or open-ended disciplinary timelines","A complaint process with no specified response windows or decision deadlines exposes the brokerage to claims of selective or retaliatory enforcement, and makes it difficult to defend the process if the state licensing board reviews it.","Specify exact day counts for each stage — complaint submission, respondent response, investigation, and decision — and document every step in writing.",[404,407,410,413,416,419,422,425,428],{"question":405,"answer":406},"What is a Realtor Code of Ethics?","A Realtor Code of Ethics is a binding professional conduct document that defines the ethical obligations real estate agents owe to their clients, the public, and fellow practitioners. It covers fiduciary duties, disclosure obligations, fair housing compliance, advertising standards, and dispute resolution. While the National Association of Realtors (NAR) publishes a model code that member agents must follow, brokerages typically supplement it with a firm-specific policy tailored to their state's licensing requirements.\n",{"question":408,"answer":409},"Is a Realtor Code of Ethics legally required?","NAR membership requires adherence to the NAR Code of Ethics, and most state licensing boards require agents to complete ethics training as a condition of license renewal. A brokerage's internal code of ethics is not universally mandated by statute, but it is generally considered essential risk management — it documents the conduct standard the brokerage enforces, which is the first line of defense in a licensing board complaint or civil lawsuit.\n",{"question":411,"answer":412},"What is the difference between the NAR Code of Ethics and a brokerage code?","The NAR Code of Ethics is a national standard that applies to all NAR members and is enforced through the local association's professional standards process. A brokerage code of ethics is an internal document that may adopt, supplement, or exceed NAR standards and is enforced internally by the managing broker or an ethics committee. A brokerage code can be more specific — addressing social media, data privacy, and local fair housing additions — in ways the national code does not.\n",{"question":414,"answer":415},"Does every real estate agent at a brokerage need to sign the code?","Yes — every licensed agent affiliated with the brokerage, including part-time agents, referral-only agents, and independent contractors operating under the brokerage license, should sign before their first active transaction. A code that is not universally signed creates an uneven enforcement standard, which is difficult to defend in a disciplinary proceeding or civil claim.\n",{"question":417,"answer":418},"What happens when a realtor violates the code of ethics?","Depending on the severity, consequences range from a written reprimand and mandatory ethics training to fines, suspension, or termination of brokerage affiliation. Serious violations — fraud, misrepresentation, or discrimination — may also be referred to the state real estate licensing board, which can suspend or revoke the agent's license independently of any brokerage action. The code itself should specify each level of sanction to ensure consistent enforcement.\n",{"question":420,"answer":421},"How often should a brokerage update its code of ethics?","At minimum, review the code annually and update it whenever the NAR Code of Ethics is revised (typically every two years), when your state licensing board changes its rules, or when your jurisdiction adds new fair housing protected classes. Document each review in writing, assign a version number, and re-obtain agent signatures on any material update.\n",{"question":423,"answer":424},"Can a brokerage code of ethics be more restrictive than NAR standards?","Yes — a brokerage may impose stricter conduct standards than NAR requires, provided those standards do not conflict with state employment law or licensing board rules. Common additions include tighter social media policies, broader confidentiality obligations, shorter listing removal timelines, and expanded protected class lists for fair housing. More restrictive standards are generally defensible; less restrictive standards that fall below NAR or state requirements are not.\n",{"question":426,"answer":427},"How does dual agency affect ethics obligations?","Dual agency — representing both buyer and seller in the same transaction — creates inherent conflicts with fiduciary duties. Most states permit disclosed dual agency with written consent from both parties, but require the agent to transition from full advocacy to a neutral facilitation role. The code of ethics should specify when dual agency is permitted, what disclosures are required, and how agents should manage the conflict to avoid claims of misrepresentation or breach of fiduciary duty.\n",{"question":429,"answer":430},"Does a real estate code of ethics cover property managers?","It can and typically should for brokerages that also operate property management divisions. Property managers handle client funds, maintenance decisions, and tenant relationships — all areas with significant ethical exposure. A code that is limited to sales agents leaves property managers operating without a documented conduct standard, which creates liability gaps in rent accounting, security deposit handling, and fair housing compliance.\n",[432,436,440,444],{"industry":433,"icon_asset_id":434,"specifics":435},"Residential Real Estate","industry-professional-services","Buyer and seller representation, dual agency disclosures, MLS accuracy obligations, and fair housing compliance in residential transactions.",{"industry":437,"icon_asset_id":438,"specifics":439},"Commercial Real Estate","industry-fintech","Confidentiality of tenant financial terms, conflict-of-interest disclosures for landlord and tenant rep, and enhanced due diligence duties on material facts.",{"industry":441,"icon_asset_id":442,"specifics":443},"Property Management","industry-manufacturing","Trust accounting obligations, security deposit handling, fair housing compliance in tenant selection, and maintenance disclosure duties.",{"industry":445,"icon_asset_id":446,"specifics":447},"Real Estate Franchises","industry-retail","Alignment between franchisor conduct standards and local licensing requirements, with brokerage-specific addenda covering local fair housing classes and social media policies.",[449,451,454,457],{"vs":246,"vs_template_id":247,"summary":450},"An independent contractor agreement governs the commercial relationship between a brokerage and an agent — commission splits, expenses, termination, and non-solicitation. A code of ethics governs professional conduct obligations owed to clients, the public, and fellow agents. Both documents are needed; the contractor agreement covers the business relationship, and the code covers the ethical standard. They should cross-reference each other.",{"vs":234,"vs_template_id":452,"summary":453},"D{BUYER_REP_AGREEMENT_ID}","A buyer representation agreement is a contract between an agent and a specific buyer defining the scope of representation, duration, and compensation. A code of ethics is a brokerage-wide policy governing how all agents must conduct themselves with all clients. The code informs the duties an agent owes under a buyer representation agreement, but operates at a different level of specificity.",{"vs":238,"vs_template_id":455,"summary":456},"D{LISTING_AGREEMENT_ID}","A listing agreement is a transaction-specific contract between a brokerage and a seller covering pricing, marketing, commission, and exclusivity. A code of ethics applies to all transactions and all relationships, not just listed properties. The code governs how agents fulfill their duties under a listing agreement, but it is not a substitute for the listing agreement itself.",{"vs":458,"vs_template_id":459,"summary":460},"Non-Disclosure Agreement","non-disclosure-agreement-nda-D12692","An NDA protects specific confidential information shared in a defined commercial context and creates remedies for breach. A code of ethics includes confidentiality obligations as one of several conduct standards, but those obligations are broader — covering client motivation, financial position, and negotiating strategy — and are enforced through professional discipline rather than civil litigation. High-stakes transactions involving proprietary commercial data may require both.",{"use_template":462,"template_plus_review":466,"custom_drafted":470},{"best_for":463,"cost":464,"time":465},"Small to mid-size brokerages establishing a standard code for residential agents in a single state","Free","1–3 hours to customize and distribute",{"best_for":467,"cost":468,"time":469},"Brokerages operating in multiple states, adding custom disciplinary procedures, or supplementing NAR membership requirements","$300–$800 for a real estate attorney review","3–5 business days",{"best_for":471,"cost":472,"time":473},"Large franchises, commercial brokerages with complex dual-agency practices, or firms under prior licensing board scrutiny","$1,500–$4,000+","2–4 weeks",[475,480,485,490],{"code":476,"name":477,"flag_asset_id":478,"note":479},"us","United States","flag-us","NAR member agents must comply with the NAR Code of Ethics, which is updated approximately every two years and enforced through local associations. State licensing boards set independent continuing education requirements for ethics training — typically 3 hours per renewal cycle. Fair housing protected classes vary significantly by state and municipality; California, New York, and Illinois, among others, add protected classes beyond the seven federal categories. Non-compete and non-solicitation clauses in agent contractor agreements are subject to state-specific restrictions that should be reviewed alongside the ethics document.",{"code":481,"name":482,"flag_asset_id":483,"note":484},"ca","Canada","flag-ca","Real estate regulation in Canada is provincially administered. Each province has its own licensing body — RECO in Ontario, BCFSA in British Columbia, RECA in Alberta — with its own code of conduct requirements. A brokerage operating across provinces must ensure its internal code meets the strictest provincial standard. Quebec's Civil Code framework creates distinct agency relationship rules, and the French language requirements of Quebec's Charter of the French Language may require bilingual versions of the code for Quebec-based agents.",{"code":486,"name":487,"flag_asset_id":488,"note":489},"uk","United Kingdom","flag-uk","Estate agents in the UK are regulated primarily under the Estate Agents Act 1979 and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Membership in professional bodies such as ARLA Propertymark, NAEA Propertymark, or RICS comes with mandatory codes of practice that a brokerage's internal ethics document should not contradict. Material information disclosure duties were significantly strengthened by National Trading Standards guidance issued in 2022–2024, requiring upfront disclosure of tenure, charges, and known defects at the point of marketing.",{"code":491,"name":492,"flag_asset_id":493,"note":494},"eu","European Union","flag-eu","Real estate agent regulation in the EU is handled at the member state level with no single EU-wide licensing standard. Germany requires Gewerbezulassung (trade license) and adherence to specific conduct rules; France mandates a carte professionnelle issued under the Loi Hoguet. GDPR applies across all EU jurisdictions and has direct implications for the confidentiality and data protection clause — agents handling client personal data must comply with data minimization, retention limitation, and breach notification obligations. The EU Consumer Rights Directive also imposes pre-contractual disclosure requirements relevant to advertising standards clauses.",[247,459,496,497,498,499,500,501,502,503,504,505],"employee-handbook-D712","employment-agreement_at-will-employee-D541","conflict-of-interest-policy-for-board-members-D13933","whistleblower-policy-D12649","job-offer-letter-long-D12769","confidentiality-agreement-D950","service-agreement-D12711","complaint-letter-D13000","employee-dismissal-letter-D508","release-of-liability-waiver-D12892",{"emit_how_to":193,"emit_defined_term":193},{"primary_folder":109,"secondary_folder":508,"document_type":509,"industry":510,"business_stage":511,"tags":512,"confidence":517},"terms-and-warranties","policy","real-estate","all-stages",[510,513,514,515,516],"compliance","code-of-ethics","professional-conduct","realtor",0.92,"\u003Ch2>What is a Realtor Code of Ethics?\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>A \u003Cstrong>Realtor Code of Ethics\u003C/strong> is a binding professional conduct document that defines the ethical obligations real estate agents and brokers owe to their clients, the public, and fellow practitioners. It translates fiduciary principles — loyalty, confidentiality, disclosure, obedience, reasonable care, and accounting — into specific, enforceable rules covering every phase of a real estate transaction, from first client contact through post-closing confidentiality. Where the National Association of Realtors publishes a national model code for member agents, a brokerage's internal code of ethics supplements that framework with firm-specific standards for advertising accuracy, social media use, dual agency disclosures, and disciplinary procedures tailored to the brokerage's operating environment and jurisdiction.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch2>Why You Need This Document\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>Without a written, signed code of ethics, a brokerage has no documented standard to point to when a client files a complaint, a licensing board opens an investigation, or an agent's conduct in a transaction becomes the subject of litigation. The absence of a code does not mean no standard applies — it means the standard will be supplied by the state licensing board or a court, and the brokerage will have no evidence it ever communicated or enforced any conduct expectations. A well-drafted code closes that gap by creating a clear, acknowledged record of the rules every affiliated agent agreed to follow. It also reduces the frequency of the underlying problems: agents who sign a specific, detailed code before their first transaction make materially fewer disclosure errors, fair housing missteps, and advertising violations than those operating without one. This template gives brokerages of any size a structured, customizable foundation that meets NAR member requirements, aligns with state licensing board expectations, and holds up as a compliance document the first time it is tested.\u003C/p>\n",1781186001292]