REALTORS® should focus on providing quality service and protecting the health of clients, colleagues and the general public when pandemic stay-at-home orders seem to conflict with the NAR Code of Ethics.
In “COVID-19 and the Code,” a REALTOR® Magazine article by national real estate instructor Bruce Aydt, members are urged to separate their personal ethics from the Code of Ethics, as well as local, state and federal laws and emergency actions. Aydt is a Missouri REALTOR®, an attorney and a past chair of the NAR Professional Standards Committee.
“In deciding how to address new issues that may come up in your day-to-day business, we urge you to find answers that will ensure first-class services to your clients, while also demonstrating care for the health and well-being of clients, agents, and the greater public welfare in reducing the risk of exposure to and spread of COVID-19,” NAR’s legal team says.
Aydt identifies specific articles of the Code of Ethics that could apply to conduct during the pandemic, such as: fiduciary duty and honesty, disclosure of property conditions, cooperation and access, discrimination and truthful communications. He references NAR’s coronavirus resources and Transaction Guidance During COVID-19. The information is regularly updated.
