Should Realtors Be Required To File Complaints On Fellow Real Estate Agents?

I agree, we as agents should keep our own backyard clean, but many boards charge to file, plus the inordinate amount of time necessary to prepare for the complaint, attend the hearings, and follow up. This can make it a bit overwhelming for many agents.

Greg, I guess that unlicensed agent is working for free! I would definitely have a conversation with my broker about the situation.

In the State of Florida we can report those selling real estate other than their own online for unlicensed activity. It's a felony.

We can also check if someone has a license at www.MyFloridaLicense.com The State of Florida makes it easier to report and research.

I think you should approach this individual and get all the facts before proceeding. If there is something questionable then take the next step.

Definitely tell your Broker - here in GA, the commission is earned by the listing Broker, and shared with the buyer's broker - and since GA requires an active license to earn a commission - potentially your Broker could have some liability for sharing commission with a non-licensee.

A person must have a real estate license to receive compensation for services rendered as a real estate broker/agent. Unlicensed activity is illegal, but buyers and sellers acting as principals in the sale or purchase of real estate are usually not required to be licensed. Lawyers, in some states, are authorized to handle real estate sales for compensation without being licensed as brokers or agents.  You need to speak to your broker about this so call "realtor" and let your broker take the proper actions.

 'I have his home on the market and just executed a contract with a buyer who is represented by an UNLICENSED REALTOR.'

If you knew the realtor was unlicensed at the time you executed the contract, you, as a licensed realtor, potentially expose yourself to legal liabilities to all parties, with perhaps a greater level of culpability than the unlicensed realtor.

I once reported to our local board about a 'Realtor Associate' who advertised herself on line as a "REALTOR", and she was NOT Greg Nino .  The board representative said they would follow up and nothing ever happened.

Can't wait to see all of the answers to this queston.  ????

Oh, Greg Nino ...  Always trying to stir the pot.  

Turn him in. It is illegal and you could get in trouble for paying a fee to an unlicensed agent. 

That is if anything something to definitely check and confirm the activeness of the license. My renewal is in end of Feb-2016 and all the paperwork will be recorded when I renew my license by the beginning of the month. 

As you say - it is just against the law to practice real estate without a valid and active license. You would also be breaking the law if you or your company paid him a commission. As a BIC, I personally would not accept the offer to purchase from him. We had a similar situation this year, and just told the (former) agent his "buyer" needed to be represented by a legal buyer agent. It did not go down well...but not much I could do about that!

Yes, but clear with your broker first with evidence. He utimately decides the magnitude of the compliant.  If you suspect both are on to something together. You need to find another broker first. All brokerages practice at will employment.

This is illegal and a violation of the code of ethics.  If a person is not licensed or their license is inactive, they are not a Realtor and can't represent someone in a transaction, nor can they receive compensation.  I would mention it to my broker that my license is under for advice.  I would also make sure their name isn't on any documents, as they can't legally represent a buyer.

I get calls quite often from Realtors who don't have lockbox keys asking me if I could be so kind as to let them in one of my listings.   When I ask a few questions, they found me by looking on Zillow, Trulia or Realtor.com rather than the MLS.   That's an easy clue that they are not licensed.   I'm really put out how often those calls come in!   We need to report at least to our brokers and let them take it from there.  

Forget the other Broker (there obviously isn't one if he/she is unlicensed), Greg Nino, contact your Local AND State Board attorneys.  Let your Seller know what you're doing every step of the way as well.  Keep us posted on the outcome.

That stinks, period.  We're "working" in a field with so many others that don't follow the rules and give the rest of us a bad name!

I liked this so much I am re-blogging with a helpful added twist I hope you will like as well.  Thanks for inspiring me to write about a resent memory.

In California, it's illegal to pay a commission except to the broker. If he has no valid license, he has no broker. Does he know he's working for free? Find out and limit your own liability.