The New Castle County Board of REALTORS® is committed to upholding the professionalism and ethical standards of the real estate industry. Through our Professional Standards processes, NCCBOR helps resolve disputes and enforce the REALTOR® Code of Ethics in a fair and structured manner.
While NCCBOR is not licensed to practice Delaware law, the association provides several programs designed to help resolve concerns efficiently and cost-effectively, including the Ombudsman Program, Ethics Complaint process, and Arbitration.
If you believe there has been a violation of Delaware real estate licensing law, please contact the Delaware Real Estate Commission (DREC) directly.
Professional Standards Guide
Not Sure Where to Start?
Answer a few quick questions and we’ll help point you toward the Professional Standards process that may best fit your concern.
What best describes your concern?
Choose the option that feels closest. You can always go back and choose another path.
Does your concern involve compensation or commission between real estate professionals?
Are you alleging that a REALTOR® violated the REALTOR® Code of Ethics?
Are you mainly looking for help communicating with a REALTOR® or trying to resolve a disagreement informally?
Ombudsman assistance is designed for communication, clarification, and informal problem-solving.
Based on Your Answers
Ombudsman May Be the Best Fit
Based on what you’ve told us, the Ombudsman Program may be the best place to start. Ombudsman assistance is an informal option focused on communication, clarification, and possible resolution before a dispute becomes more formal.
Based on Your Answers
An Ethics Complaint May Be the Best Fit
Your concern appears to involve a possible violation of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics. An Ethics Complaint allows NCCBOR’s Professional Standards process to formally review allegations involving a REALTOR® member.
Appeal may be available
Ethics complaints concern the REALTOR® Code of Ethics. NCCBOR does not determine whether Delaware law has been violated and cannot award financial damages or revoke a real estate license.
Based on Your Answers
Arbitration May Be the Best Fit
Your concern appears to involve a business dispute related to compensation, commission, or entitlement to payment. Arbitration may be the appropriate Professional Standards process for qualifying disputes.
Based on Your Answers
Contacting NCCBOR May Be the Best Fit
Your concern doesn’t clearly fall into one of the categories above — and that’s okay. Professional Standards questions can be nuanced, and our staff can help you understand the available options and determine what information or process may apply.
NCCBOR staff can provide information about the available Professional Standards processes but cannot provide legal advice.
The Ombudsman Program is often the first step in resolving a dispute.
An Ombudsman provides informal telephone mediation to help clarify concerns and facilitate communication between parties. Many issues arise from misunderstandings or lack of communication, and this process can often resolve concerns quickly without the need for a formal complaint.
During the process, the Ombudsman will:
Listen to concerns from both parties
Help clarify misunderstandings
Suggest possible solutions
Facilitate constructive communication
If a resolution cannot be reached through the Ombudsman Program, parties may proceed with filing a formal Ethics Complaint.
The New Castle County Board of REALTORS® is responsible for enforcing the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics among its REALTOR® members.
The Code of Ethics establishes professional standards that REALTORS® agree to uphold when serving clients, customers, and the public.
Before filing a formal complaint, parties are encouraged to attempt to resolve concerns directly through communication with the REALTOR® involved or the broker of the firm. Many disputes can be resolved through open discussion.
Important things to know:
Only REALTORS® are subject to the NAR Code of Ethics.
Associations determine whether the Code of Ethics has been violated, not whether the law has been broken.
REALTOR® associations cannot award financial damages or revoke a real estate license.
Ethics complaints must be filed within 180 days of when the issue occurred or when the facts could reasonably have been discovered.
Additional information about the Code of Ethics and complaint procedures is available through the National Association of REALTORS®.
Click here for the 2026 Code of Ethics
Arbitration is used to resolve certain disputes between REALTORS®, typically involving commission or procuring cause disputes.
Under Article 17 of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, REALTORS® agree to submit certain disputes to arbitration through their association rather than pursue litigation.
Arbitration requests must be filed within 180 days after the closing of a transaction, or within 180 days after the facts giving rise to the dispute could reasonably have been known.
Key points about arbitration:
Most arbitration cases involve disputes over entitlement to compensation or procuring cause.
The REALTOR® Broker of Record or Managing Broker must be named in the arbitration request.
A completed Request and Agreement to Arbitrate form, supporting documentation, and a $500 filing fee must be submitted.
All arbitration matters are first referred to mandatory mediation, which may resolve the dispute before a formal hearing is necessary.
Need Help?
If you have questions regarding Professional Standards processes, please contact:
Ramona Lesher
📞 302-762-4800 ext. 116
📧 rlesher@nccbor.com
The NCCBOR Professional Standards process is designed to support professionalism, encourage ethical business practices, and provide fair dispute resolution for REALTORS® and consumers.