Code of Professional Ethics

As a Certified Property Manager and as a member of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), Belmont Brokerage & Management, Inc. strives to protect the interests of those who come in contact with us. To this end, Belmont Brokerage & Management, Inc. subscribes to this Professional Pledge.

Introduction – To establish and maintain public confidence in the honesty, integrity, professionalism and ability of the professional property manager is fundamental to the future success of the institute of Real Estate Management and its members. This Code and performance pursuant to its provisions will be to the continued development of a mutually beneficial relationship among CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGERS (CPM’s), Candidates, REALTORS, clients, employers and the public.

The institute of Real Estate Management as the professional society of property managers seeks to work closely with all other segments of the real estate industry to protect and enhance the interests of the public. To this end, members of the Institute have adopted and, as a condition of membership, subscribe to this Code of Professional Ethics. By doing so, they give notice that they clearly recognize the vital need to -preserve and encourage fair and equitable practices and competition among all who are engaged in the profession of property management.

Those who are members of the institute are dedicated individuals who are sincerely concerned with the protection and interests of those who come in contact with the industry. To this end, members of the institute have subscribed to this Professional Pledge:

I pledge myself to the advancement of professional management through the mutual efforts of members of the institute of Real Estate Management and by any other proper means available to me.

I pledge myself to seek and maintain an equitable, honorable and cooperative association with fellow members of the institute and with all others who may become a part of my business and professional life.

I pledge myself to place honesty, integrity and industriousness above all else; to purse my gainful efforts with diligent study and education to the end that service to my clients shall always be maintained at the highest possible level.

I pledge myself to comply with the principles and declarations of the Institute of Real Estate Management as set forth in its Bylaws, Regulations, and this Code of Professional Ethics.

Article 1. Fiduciary Obligation to Clients – A CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM) shall at all times exercise the utmost business loyalty to the interests of his or her clients and shall be diligent in the maintenance and protection of the clients’ properties. The CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM) shall not represent personal interests divergent or conflicting with those of the client, unless the client has been previously notified in writing of the activity of potential conflict of interest, and has also in writing assented to such representation. A CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM), as a fiduciary for the client, shall not receive, directly or indirectly, benefit, whether monetary or otherwise, which has not been fully disclosed to and approved by the client.

Article 2. Disclosure – A CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM) shall not disclose to a third party confidential information which would be injurious or damaging concerning the business or personal affairs of a client without prior written consent of the client, except as may otherwise be required or compelled by applicable law or regulations.

Article 3. Accounting and Reporting – A CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM) shall at all times keep and maintain accurate accounting records concerning the properties managed for the client, and such records shall be available for inspection at all reasonable times by each client. A CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM) shall cause to be furnished to the client, at intervals to be agreed upon with the client, a regular report in respect to that client’s properties.

Article 4. Protection of Funds and Property – A CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM) shall at all times exert due diligence for the protection of client’s funds and property in the possession or control of the CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM) against all reasonably foreseeable contingencies or losses.

Article 5. Relations with Other Members of the Profession – A CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM) shall not make, authorize or otherwise encourage any unfounded derogatory or disparaging comments concerning the practices of another CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM). CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGERS (CPMs) subscribing to this Code shall not exaggerate or misrepresent the services offered by him or her as compared with competing CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGERS (CPMs). Nothing in this Code, however, shall restrict legal and reasonable business competition by and among CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGERS (CPMs).

Article 6. Contract – The contract, if any, between a CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM) and his or her client shall provide for the specific terms agreed upon between the parties and shall be in clear and understandable terms, including a general description of the services to be provided by and responsibilities of the CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM).

Article 7. Duty to Firm or Employer – A CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM) shall at all times exercise the utmost loyalty to his or her employer or firm and shall be diligent in the maintenance and protection of the interests and property of the employer or firm. The CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM) shall not engage in any activity or undertake any obligation which could be seen as contrary to the obligation of loyalty and diligence owed to his or her employer or firm, and shall not receive, directly or indirectly, any rebate, fee, commission, discount or other benefit, whether monetary or otherwise, which could reasonably be seen as producing a conflict with the interests of his or her employer or firm. A CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM) shall at all times exercise due diligence for the protection of the funds of his or her firm against all reasonably foreseeable contingencies or losses and shall, as agent of his or her employer or firm, exercise the highest degree of responsibility for the safekeeping and preservation of these funds.

Article 8. Preserving and Protecting Property of the Client – It shall be the duty of the CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM) as a skilled and highly trained professional, to competently manage the property of the client with due regard for the rights, responsibilities and benefits of the tenant. A CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM) shall manage the property of his or her clients in a manner which takes due regard for his or her obligations to conserve natural resources and to maximize the preservation of the environment.

Article 9. Duty to Former Clients and Former Firms or Employers – All obligations and duties of the CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM) to clients, firms and employers as specified in this Code shall also apply to relationships with former clients and former firms and employers. The CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM) shall conduct himself or herself in the highest professional manner when, for whatever reason, relationships are terminated between the CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM) and clients and firm or employer. Nothing in this section, however, shall be construed to cause a CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM) to breach obligations and duties to current clients and firm or employer.

Article 10. Compliance with Laws and Regulations – A CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM) shall at all times conduct his or her business and personal activities and knowledge of and in compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, and shall maintain the highest moral and ethical standards consistent with membership in and the purposes of the Institute of Real Estate Management.

Article 11. Continuing Professional Education – A CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM) in order to assure the continued retention and further growth and development of his or her skills as a professional, shall utilize to the highest extent possible the facilities offered to him or her for continuing professional education and refinement of his or her management skills.

Article 12. Incorporation of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS Code of Ethics – The Code of Ethics of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS as in effect from time to time is incorporated by reference into this Code in relevant parts shall be binding on CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGERS (CPMs) as other articles of this Code.

Article 13. Enforcement – Any violation by a CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM) of the obligations of this Code shall be determined in accordance with and pursuant to the terms of the Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of the Institute of Real Estate Management. Disciplinary action for violation of any portion of this Code shall be instituted by the Institute of Real Estate Management in accordance with the Bylaws and Rules and Regulations established by the Governing Council of the Institute. The result of such disciplinary action shall be final and binding upon the affected CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM), and without recourse to the Institute, its officers, councilors, mem