My name is Susy Hurlbert and work for the Greater Hartford Association of REALTORS as the administrator of NAR’s Code of Ethics & Professional Standards program. I am pleased to see the topic of ethics discussed in a great forum like this blog.

A warm thank you to Amy and Kyle for recommending GHAR as a resource to report unethical activity within the REALTOR community. We are committed to strengthening our industry and our professionals. One of the benefits of belonging to GHAR is to ensure the ethical behavior of our members. Should this be a GHAR member in question, we are here to help. Please feel free to contact me with any questions at 860.561.1800 ex 226. Also, the forms can be found on our website: http://www.gharonline.com/downloads/Ethics_Complaint_Form.pdf

Here is some background. Your concern is valid and speakes to Article 1, Standard of Practice 9, which states that “The obligation of REALTORS® to preserve confidential information (as defined by state law) provided by their clients in the course of any agency relationship or non-agency relationship recognized by law continues after termination of agency relationships or any non-agency relationships recognized by law. REALTORS® shall not knowingly, during or following the termination of professional relationships with their clients: 1) reveal confidential information of clients; or 2) use confidential information of clients for the REALTORS® advantage or the advantage of third parties unless a) clients consent after full disclosure or b) REALTORS® are required by court order; or c) it is the intention of a client to commit a crime and the information is necessary to prevent the crime; or d) it is necessary to defent a REALTOR® or the REALTOR®’s employees or associates against an accusation of wrongul conduct. Information concerning latent material defects is not considered confidential information under this Cod of Ethics.

Please feel free to contact me at 860-561-1800, ext 226 with any questions regarding the Code of Ethics.