Violating the National Association of Realtors’ new policy against hate speech is considered a serious offense and will be punished accordingly, according to the fourth of six monthly training webinars the 1.4 million-member trade group is hosting in the wake of the ethics changes.
The changes, which became effective immediately on Nov. 13 and are not retroactive, apply NAR’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice to all of a Realtor’s activities, not just those related to real estate; prohibit hate and harassing speech against protected classes; prohibit all discrimination, not just willful discrimination, against protected classes; and recommend that ethics violations be considered under membership qualification criteria.
Members of the National Association of Realtors who participated in a violent siege of the U.S. Capitol earlier this month that resulted in five deaths won’t face any discipline under the Realtor Code of Ethics, but may face sanctions under the trade group’s membership rules.
NAR has been tight-lipped about possible penalties for any of its members who participated in the insurrection. So far, two real estate agents have been arrested in connection with the violent assault: Klete Keller, a former five-time Olympic swimming medalist for the U.S. and a current commercial real estate agent, and Jenna Ryan, a Frisco, Texas-based residential broker.