A complaint alleging a violation of the IREM Code or AMO code of ethics may be filed by anyone - another IREM member, a resident or tenant, an employer or client, a vendor or supplier, or a member of the public. When a complaint is filed, the individual filing the complaint is known as the "complainant." The IREM member against whom the complaint is filed is known as the "respondent."

To be adequately addressed by the Ethics and Discipline Committee, a complaint must:

• Identify the respondent and the respondent's membership status within IREM.
• Contain a detailed statement of the facts and documentation attesting to those facts. Documentation may include letters, contracts, and other documents that support the charges. It also may include the names, addresses, and other contact information of persons having information about the case.
• Identify the section or sections of the relevant code of ethics the complainant believes were violated.
• Be signed and dated.
• Include an original plus one duplicate copy.

Upon receiving the complaint, the Institute's Board of Ethical Inquiry will review it together with all supportive documentation and will determine whether or not it is a valid and actionable complaint that should be forwarded for hearing by the Ethics Hearing and Discipline Board. Because the Board of Ethical Inquiry's initial determination is based solely on the information provided in the complaint, the statement of facts and supporting documentation should be as thorough as possible.

In the event that the Board of Ethical Inquiry forwards the complaint for hearing, the respondent will be notified that a complaint has been scheduled for hearing, will be provided with a copy of the complaint and all supporting documentation, and will be asked to provide a response to the charges contained in the complaint. The complaint and response together form the basis of the hearing.

Hearings are held twice a year in conjunction with the IREM national meetings - typically in April and November. Both the complainant and respondent will receive notice of the date, place, and time of the scheduled hearing. Both parties have the right to be present to testify, to provide a written statement, to be represented by legal counsel, to present evidence, and to offer testimony of witnesses.

In the event that the Board of Ethical Inquiry decides not to forward the complaint for a hearing - and either dismisses the complaint or investigates it further before making a final decision - the complainant is notified of the Board's determination. In either case, an explanation of the Board's reason for its decision will be provided.

Suggested Format for Ethics Complaints, Suggested Procedures - Download the suggested format and procedures for ethics complaints. These documents are in PDF format and requires Adobe Acrobat for viewing. If you do not already have Adobe Acrobat, click here.