BUSINESS FUNDAMENTALS
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
cally important for property man- agement professionals to belong to an organization that sets a high standard of conduct for its mem- bers,” commented 2019 President of NARPM Eric Wetherington, MPM ® RMP ® of New Heights Property Management, CRMC ® in Summerville, S.C. “One of the big- gest areas of complaint often heard at state real estate commissions relates to property management. Consumers need to choose their property manager with as much care as they would choose any pro- fessional to ensure they’re working with someone who has their best interests at heart.” All property managers who join NARPM agree to abide by the pro- fessional and ethical standards set by the Code of Ethics, and a three- hour ethics class must be taken within 90 days of joining to obtain professional status. Members are required to take a refresher course every four years. In addition, consumers who work with a NARPM member and have an issue with that person can file an ethics complaint, which will be inves- tigated by the national association’s Professional Standards Committee. “We can’t guarantee that we will resolve a consumer’s issue, but we will review the complaint, contact the property management compa- ny regarding the dispute, and the NARPM Professional Standards Committee will make a decision whether to forward the complaint to a review panel,” explained NARPM President-Elect Kellie Tollifson, MPM ® RMP ® of T-Square Properties in Bothell, WA. “After reviewing the case, the panel will decide whether a violation of our Code has been committed and if sanctions will be imposed against the company or the individual property manager. It’s a very thorough process.”
Nowmore than ever, it’s critically important for property management professionals to belong to an organization that sets a high standard of conduct for its members.
“We believe the Code of Ethics is hugely important to the profession- alism of NARPM property manag- ers,” added Scott Abernathy, MPM ® RMP ® of Property Management Inc. PMI Professionals in Murfreesboro, TN. “Our members take it very seriously and see it as another way that NARPM serves not only its members, but also the single-fami- ly investor market.” In choosing a property manag- er to work with, consumers are advised to select a professional who voluntarily holds to a high ethical standard and who must repeat Code of Ethics training at regular intervals. That person is a professional member of NARPM — someone who holds to standards that have stood the test of time for a quarter century. •
This content is brought to you by National Association of Residential Property Managers ®
Ethics in PropertyManagement THE NARPM CODE OF ETHICS CELEBRATES 25 YEARS.
a high standard of business ethics, professionalism, and fair housing practices. It begins with a respon- sibility to protect the public: “The Property Manager shall protect the public against fraud, misrepresen- tation, and unethical practices in property management.” Twelve articles of the NARPM Code of Ethics hold members to standards of professionalism that include avoidance of discrimination and compliance with fair housing laws; honest treatment of tenants; managing properties in accordance with safety and habitability require- ments of the local jurisdiction; proper handling of funds and truth in advertising. “Now more than ever, it’s criti-
by Lisa G. Noon, CAE RCE
R
enting an investment prop- erty that you own, or finding
the current rental rates? Will the tenant properly care for the house? What are the legal requirements? That’s why you need someone who can guide you through the process while putting your best interests first. Professional mem- bers of the National Association of Residential Property Managers
(NARPM ® ) pledge themselves to a strict Code of Ethics when they work with their clients, the real estate community, and the public. 2019 marks the 25th anniversary of the NARPM Code of Ethics. It’s a benchmark and standard for con- ducting business in the single-fami- ly rental marketplace, and promotes
the perfect single-family house to rent requires making some big decisions, and the help of a profes- sional property manager is critical either way. First, there’s expert knowledge of the market to think about. What are
Lisa G. Noon, CAE RCE is the Deputy Ex- ecutive Director of the National Associ- ation of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). Members of NARPM receive
information like this article every month through its news magazine, Residential Resource. To join, or learn more, visit NARPM.org/join.
34 | think realty magazine :: september / october 2019
thinkrealty . com | 35
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