GENERAL INFORMATION FOR FILING COMPLAINTS
Against
ARKANSAS REAL ESTATE BROKERS, SALESPERSONS, AND TIME-SHARE DEVELOPERS
- The Arkansas Real Estate Commission is responsible for investigating complaints against
licensed Arkansas real estate brokers or salespersons. This Commission is also responsible
for activities of developers involved with selling time-share intervals. A person may file
a formal complaint with the Commission if it is believed that a broker, salesperson, or
person representing a time-share project has not conducted himself or herself properly in
an Arkansas real estate transaction. However, the Commission's authority is limited to the
content of the Arkansas Real Estate License Law, the Arkansas Time-Share Act and
Commission Regulations. Complaints should be filed on forms which can be obtained from the Arkansas Real Estate Commission.
- A complaint should contain only facts and allegations relating to the activities
performed by the real estate broker, salesperson, or by a person who is representing a
time-share project.
- After a complaint is received by the Commission, it is reviewed for the purpose of
determining if the alleged activities performed by the broker, salesperson, or the person
representing a time-share project are activities over which the Commission has legal
authority.
- The Commission can take action against a broker, salesperson, or a person representing a
time-share project only if that person has violated provisions of the Arkansas Real Estate
License Law, the Arkansas Time-Share Act or Commission Regulations. If the subject matter
in the complaint does not appear to be within the Commission's authority, the complaint
may be dismissed without investigation.
- If the review indicates that the subject matter of the complaint is a matter about which
the Commission does have legal authority, an investigation of the complaint is begun. A
copy of the complaint is sent to the person against whom the complaint was filed. After
that person, who is known as the "respondent", is given an opportunity to reply,
the complaint is investigated. A Commission investigator may need to interview the person
who filed the complaint and may also need to interview anyone else who might have
information about the real estate transaction being investigated. For that reason, the
person who files the complaint should show on the complaint form a telephone number at
which the investigator can reach him or her during business hours. The same telephone
contact information should be shown for the other persons the investigator may need to
interview. After an investigation is completed, the Executive Director of the Commission
may dismiss the complaint if the investigation indicates that it cannot be proven in a
disciplinary hearing that the person against whom the complaint has been filed has
violated the Real Estate License Law, the Time-Share Act, or Commission Regulations.
- If the investigation establishes that there is reasonable cause to believe that a
violation has occurred, the Executive Director will schedule a disciplinary hearing which
will be conducted by the members of the Real Estate Commission. There are five
Commissioners, three of whom are active in the real estate business. The fourth member
represents consumers, and the fifth member represents senior citizens. If a hearing is
scheduled, the complainant would probably be called to testify under oath at the hearing,
which would be held in the Arkansas Real Estate Commission Building in Little Rock,
Arkansas. Other persons also could be called to testify.
- If it is determined at such a hearing that a violation of applicable law or Commission
Regulation has been committed, the commissioners may impose sanctions
against the real estate licensee, or revoke or suspend a time-share
developer's registration.
- The Real Estate Commission maintains a Recovery Fund which, under certain
circumstances, can be used to reimburse persons who have suffered financial
loss because of violation of the Arkansas Real Estate License Law or
Commission Regulations by a real estate broker or salesperson. The
maximum amount which can be paid to the aggrieved party(ies) is $25,000.00.
- If the complainant feels that he/she has been monetarily damaged as a
result of the broker's or salesperson's actions, the complainant has the
right to request a recovery fund hearing. However, a recovery fund
hearing can be held only if the Commission has decided in a disciplinary
hearing that a violation of the License Law and/or Commission Regulations
has occurred.
HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT
- Complaint forms can be obtained from the Arkansas Real Estate
Commission. The complaint form will need to be filled out, signed in the presence of a
notary public, and the original should be returned to the Commission office. Copies of
each contract or legal instrument which contains information about the real estate
transaction described in the complaint should be attached to the complaint form. Examples
of material which should be furnished are: listing contract, offer and acceptance
agreement, contract for sale, and closing statement.
- Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act provides comprehensive civil rights
protection for qualified individuals with disabilities. State and local governments may
not refuse to allow a person with a disability to participate in a service, program, or
activity simply because the person has a disability.
- If an individual feels his or her ability to follow the above procedure is impaired by a
disability, that person should contact the Arkansas Real Estate Commission Investigations
Department for additional information.
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