Reviewed April 2019

Over 100 years ago, in furtherance of its commitment to business integrity and fair dealing, the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) adopted its Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics defines, guides, and regulates the professional conduct of Realtors® and demonstrates REALTORS’® level of commitment, emphasis on education and dedication to their profession. The Arizona Association of REALTORS® (AAR) is responsible for enforcing the Code of Ethics.

Among the core principles of the code is a promise to provide equal professional service to all clients and customers. Article 10 of the Code of Ethics therefore prohibits Realtors® from discriminating practices and requires that equal professional services be provided to all individuals as part of a Realtor’s® commitment to fair housing.

Because NAR firmly believes in equal opportunities in housing, in November 2010, NAR’s Board of Directors passed an amendment to  Article 10 of the Code of Ethics prohibiting members from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation. While the inclusion of sexual orientation was intended to be all-encompassing, NAR ultimately decided to add “gender identity” as a definitional clarification. Effective January 2014, Article 10 of the Code of Ethics therefore reads as follows:

Realtors® shall not deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.  Realtors® shall not be parties to any plan or agreement to discriminate against a person or persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity. (Amended 1/14)

Realtors®, in their real estate employment practices, shall not discriminate against any person or persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.  (Amended 1/14)

Moreover, Standard of Practice 10-3 was amended as follows:

Realtors® shall not print, display or circulate any statement or advertisement with respect to selling or renting of a property that indicates any preference, limitations or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin sexual orientation, or gender identity. (Adopted 1/94, Renumbered 1/05 and 1/06, Amended 1/14)

The 2014 amendment to Article 10 therefore not only reaffirms NAR’s and AAR’s commitment to fair housing, it is also a reflection of our collective commitment to a market free of discrimination.

Fair Housing Resources from NAR

April 2014 marked the 46th anniversary of the 1968 landmark Fair Housing Act. Each year REALTORS® recognize the significance of this event and reconfirm our commitment to upholding fair housing law as well as our commitment to offering equal professional service to all in their search for real property.

Resources can be found here: http://www.realtor.org/programs/fair-housing-program