CODE OF ETHICS OF THE OHIO REAL ESTATE INVESTORS’ ASSOCIATION
PREAMBLE
The ownership and management of real estate is one of the largest businesses in the free enterprise system of the United States. As such it involves the interaction of countless individuals and businesses to provide safe and affordable housing in the form of single family homes, condominiums and apartments, the building of new construction, and the management and occupancy of commercial, office, retail and industrial property. The multitude of related businesses including property owners and managers, financial institutions, real estate professionals, contractors, and others all seek to support and promote the success of this business.
As such, the Ohio Real Estate Investors Association (OREIA) has adopted standards of competency, fairness, and high integrity for the conduct of business and interaction between individuals and businesses in the industry. Members of OREIA are thus committed to upholding high standards of conduct; not attempting to gain any unfair advantage over their competitors; refraining from making unsolicited comments about other practitioners; and acting in an objective and professional manner.
In interpretation of these and other obligations, OREIA members should accept the guide handed down through the centuries and embodied in the Golden Rule, “Whatsoever you would have others do unto you, do so unto them”. Accepting this standard, OREIA members pledge to observe in spirit and all activities through associates, other business professionals, the public and through personal contact, technological communication or other means to conduct their business with the tenets set forth below.
ARTICLE I: OREIA BOARD MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATION LEADERS
- To accept only those duties and responsibilities which they feel they are prepared to complete, and to fulfill the obligations which they agree to accept.
- To conduct themselves in language and behavior at all OREIA meetings and functions in a professional manner, with respect for other people and their opinions.
- To represent the best interest of OREIA in all matters relating to the Association.
- To promote responsible, professional leadership by example.
- To avoid personal conflict of interest or competing interests with association business.
- To aid and promote the professional development and advancement of all OREIA member associations and individual members.
- To prudently and honestly protect the funds and accounts of the association.
- To deal with any federal, state, or local officials in a professional manner and only comment about the association’s business or position as directed and permitted by the Board.
ARTICLE II: OREIA VENDORS AND COMMERCIAL AFFILIATES
- Must conduct their business in fair competition and avoid conflict of interest with other association business members or affiliates.
- Must act in a spirit of cooperation for the betterment of the OREIA organization.
- Must avoid any inappropriate behavior towards the public or their own employees or associates at all OREIA activities and sponsored events.
- Must especially avoid any criminal behavior which might reflect on the real estate industry, OREIA or any ORIEA member, or member organization.
ARTICLE III: OREIA MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
- Must act in a spirit of cooperation for the betterment of the entire association and not malign other members or organizations.
- Must strive to avoid conflicts between member associations in manners of membership and business conduct.
- Must promote ethical business practices within the individual and business members of their organizations.
- Must enforce the code of ethics and standards of practice of their own associations.
- Must act as role models for the profession of Real Estate Investing when dealing with the public, the media, government officials, and all others.
- Must promote education of their members and increase the competency and cooperation of their members.
ARTICLE IV: OREIA MEMBER ORGANIZATION MEMBERS
- Must not malign other REIA members or organizations.
- Will act as positive role models for the profession of Real Estate Investing when dealing with tenants, the public, media, government officials or other affiliate REIA members.
- Will keep themselves informed on matters affecting housing, or other real estate activity in the community and at the state and federal level.
- Will maintain and operate their business in accordance with fair and honorable standards of competition.
- Will help other members whenever possible.
- Will provide safe and sanitary housing.
- Will abide by all local, state and federal laws pertaining to the real estate industry.
- Will obey all laws, especially related to full and proper disclosures and lending practices.
- Will adhere to all fair housing laws and principals and thereby know that it is illegal, pursuant to Fair Housing Law to refuse to sell, transfer, assign, rent, lease, sublease or finance housing accommodations, refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of housing accommodations, or otherwise deny or make unavailable housing accommodations because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, ancestry, disability or national origin or to so discriminate in advertising the sale or rental of housing, in the financing of housing, or in the provision of real estate brokerage services. It is also illegal, for profit, to induce or attempt to induce a person to sell or rent a dwelling by representations regarding the entry into the neighborhood of a person or persons belonging to one of the protected classes.