Code of Ethics and Standards of Professionalism

Hoffman Realty subscribes to the following Code of Ethics and Standards of Professionalism of the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM®) when they provide Tampa property management. NARPM® promotes a high standard of business ethics, professionalism and fair housing practices.

Article 1: DUTY TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC

It is the duty of the Property Manager to protect the public against fraud, misrepresentation, and unethical practices in property management.

1-1 The Property Manager shall endeavor to eliminate in the community, through the normal course of business, any practices which could be damaging to the public or bring discredit to the profession.

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1-2 The Property Managers shall assist the governmental agency charged with regulating the practices of property Managers.

1-3 The Property Manager shall comply with all local and state ordinances regarding real estate law, licensing, insurance, and banking.

1-4 The Property Manager shall not knowingly, during or following the relationship of their professional relationships with their clients or their tenants, reveal confidential information of the clients or tenants. The Property Manager must take all pre-cautions in keeping information in regard to owners and tenants reasonably secured to prevent identity theft.

1-5 The Property Manger shall use reasonable efforts to be sure that information on their websites is current. If it becomes apparent that information on the website is not current, then the Property Manager shall promptly take corrective action.

1-6 The websites of the Property Manager shall not contain any deceptive metatags or other devices/methods to direct, drive, or divert Internet traffic or to otherwise mislead customers. The websites shall also not manipulate listing content in any way that produces a deceptive or misleading result.

Article 2: DISCRIMINATION

The Property Manager shall not discriminate in the rental, lease, or negotiation for real property based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or handicap and shall comply with all federal, state, and local laws concerning discrimination.

2-1 It is the duty of the Property Manager to educate those with whom the Property Manager is affiliated with to comply with all fair housing laws.

Article 3: DUTY TO CLIENT

The Property Manager has a fiduciary responsibility to the Client and shall at all times act in the best interests of the Client.

3-1 The Property Manager shall use a written management agreement outlining all responsibilities and fees. The Client will be provided a copy and the Property Manager will maintain a copy.

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3-2 The Property Managers shall communicate regularly with the Client and provide written reports of receipts and disbursements on a regular and agreed upon basis. In the event of any dispute, the Property Manager shall provide a written accounting as soon as practical.

3-3 Tenant applications shall be reviewed and verified in order to determine the Applicant’s ability to pay and to determine the likelihood that the Applicant will comply with all provisions of the rental agreement.

3-4 The Property Manager shall accept no commissions, rebates, profits, discounts, or any other benefit which has not been fully disclosed to and approved by the Client.

3-5 The Property Manager shall not mislead owners with the market value of the property, in an attempt to secure a listing.

Article 7: DUTY TO DISCLOSE EXPERTISE

The Property Manager must provide accurate information within his area of expertise, but refrain from the unauthorized practice of other professions, including but not limited to the law, accounting, financial planning, construction, and contracting.

Article 8: DUTY TO FIRM

The Property Manager shall act in the best interests of their Employer/Broker.

8-1 The Property Manager shall have no undisclosed conflict of interest with their Employer/Broker and shall notify their Employer/Broker immediately if a conflict should arise.

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8-2 The Property Manager shall receive no kickbacks, rebates, or any other benefits without full disclosure to Employer/Broker.

8-3 The Property Manager may not take or use any proprietary documentation or client/tenant lists during or after relationship with Employer/Broker without express written consent from Employer/Broker.

Article 9: RELATIONS WITH COMPETITORS

The Property Manager shall refrain from criticizing competitors or their business practices.

9-1 the Property Manager shall treat all competitors in a fair and professional manner and shall not knowingly engage in any practice or take any action against a competitor in an unbusiness like manner.

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9-2 The Property Manager shall not knowingly interfere with other property managers’ contract rights, including by taking actions inconsistent with exclusive agreements that other property managers have with clients. This does not preclude the Property Manager from otherwise soliciting clients or making general announcements about their own services. For purposes of this code, a general announcement may be defined as a general telephone canvass or a general mailing or distribution addressed to all prospects in a given geographical area or in a specific profession, business, club, organization, or other classification or group. This code does not restrict fair and reasonable competition among property managers.

9-3 In the event of a controversy between Property Managers with different firms, the Property Managers shall submit the dispute to mediation rather than litigate the matter.

9-4 Property Managers shall not use the work of competing management firms that are considered proprietary without the expressed written permission of the management firm.

Article 10: BUSINESS PRACTICES

The Property Manager shall not engage in the improper acts of price fixing, antitrust, or any anti-competitive practices with other Property Managers.

10-1 Unless the Property Manager is purchasing another property management company, fees, commissions, and compensations, shall not be discussed with other Property Managers. The Property Manager shall always seek to avoid the appearance of impropriety in these matters.

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10-2 The Property Manager’s fees, commissions, and compensations shall be determined by the Property Manager, or the Property Manager’s Broker, based upon, but not limited to, expertise, experience, and the cost of service or expense.

10-3 Members shall not be party to any discussions that would lead to potential antitrust issues such as boycotting, price fixing, collusion, market allocation, or any other items as addressed in the Sherman Antitrust Act.

Article 11: TRUTH IN ADVERTISING

NARPM® members shall ensure that all advertising is clear and forthright and lists only facts about the property or services provided.

11-1 Regardless of the type of advertising media used, content shall be truthful and honest at all times.

11-2 No property shall be offered as “For Rent” without the permission of the client. If an unlisted property is offered, permission must be obtained from the owner.

11-3 Disclosure must be made to all parties if information gathered through electronic advertising media may be sold to an outside party.

Article 12: RESPONSIBILITY TO NARPM® AND THE PROFESSION

The Property Manager shall strive to be informed about relevant matters affecting the property management field on a local, state, and national level.

12-1 The Property Manager shall strive to improve the property management profession and NARPM® by sharing with others their lessons of experience for the benefit of all.

12-2 The Property Manager shall strive to be informed about relevant matters affecting the property management field on a local, state, and national level.

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12-3 The Property Managers shall maintain their real estate license by meeting continuing education requirements as set out by the state in which they work.

12-4 NARPM® members shall abide by NARPM®’s bylaws and any other guidelines approved by the Board and shall do no harm to the organization.

12-5 NARPM® members shall ensure that all electronic communications and marketing they prepare are professional with respect given to the recipients.

Article 13: NARPM® Code of Ethics

All Professional Members of NARPM® agree to participate in any Professional Standards investigation and/or hearing should a complaint be properly filed with the Association.

13-1 Members will take all necessary action to remain educated and knowledgeable of the NARPM®Code of Ethics.
13-2 NARPM® members shall not interfere with any investigative action relating to a Professional Standards case by the Association.
13-3 Members shall promptly supply any information requested by the Association during a Professional Standards investigation.

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