TREIA Code of Ethics

TRIANGLE REAL ESTATE INVESTOR ASSOCIATION (TREIA) CODE OF ETHICS

PREAMBLE

WE, THE MEMBERS OF TRIANGLE REAL ESTATE INVESTORS ASSOCIATION, Inc. (TREIA), IN ORDER TO FORM A MORE HARMONIOUS ORGANIZATION, HAVE ESTABLISHED THIS CODE OF ETHICS TO PROMOTE HIGH STANDARDS OF MORALITY, INTEGRITY, TRUTH, HONESTY, AND A SPIRIT OF HARMONY AND COMMON GOOD AMONG OUR MEMBERS  AND IN THE HOUSING PROVIDER/REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE.  THIS CODE OF ETHICS IS CONSISTENT WITH AND MIGHT EVEN EXCEED THE STANDARDS OF THE NATIONAL REAL ESTATE INVESTORS ASSOCIATION (NationalREIA).

THUS, WE AFFIRM THIS TREIA CODE OF ETHICS, HOLDING OURSELVES AND EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE, AS MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING, TO THESE HIGH STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT WHICH INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:

1. As members of TREIA, we understand that all aspects of the real estate investment profession are represented within our organization and membership.
2. Members shall at all times use their skills and knowledge to provide residential housing, management, and other services accruing to the benefit and best interests of those they serve.
3. Members shall act as a positive role model for our industry when dealing with tenants, the public, the media, government officials, and all others.
4. Members shall comply both in spirit and letter with rules and regulations prescribed by law and government agencies for the health, safety and welfare of the community.
5. Members shall not initiate, effect, influence or condone any action which would tend to damage the reputation of any aspect of the real estate investment or residential housing provider industry.
6. Members shall conduct their business practices with the public and other TREIA members professionally, and with integrity, honesty and respect.  No member shall knowingly initiate, effect, condone or engage in illegal, unethical or questionable activities or business relationships that would undermine the reputation of TREIA.
7. Members shall maintain knowledge of local, state and federal laws, and be informed on matters affecting housing in their community.  Each member shall endeavor to be educated, to serve and to observe ethical standards associated with this organization and the greater community.
8. Members are responsible for full disclosure of all material facts affecting a real estate transaction and shall not deceive the public or other TREIA members regarding any material facts relating to any real property, its condition, its highest and best use, its transferability or marketability.
9. Members will diligently protect the privacy of any individual with whom they do business, keeping personal information confidential and disclosing such information only to parties who have been authorized by said individual to receive it.
10. Members, Corporate Sponsors and Vendors shall not unduly coerce, manipulate or influence other members to purchase properties or products or to join other organizations or adversely influence them in any manner detrimental to any member or to TREIA as a whole.
11. Members shall never abuse the trust or breach the faith of fellow TREIA members, other real estate investors and, especially, novice real estate investors inside or outside the organization.  No individual within TREIA shall be exploited by a fellow member for personal gain.
12. Each member is individually responsible for his own due diligence in any real estate transaction and for continuing education in the real estate investment industry.  Each member is responsible for verifying all sources of information provided for disclosure or educational purposes.
13. Members acknowledge that TREIA’S policy is to abide by Fair Housing laws. Members shall not discriminate against any person with regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability or familial status as defined by applicable local, state and federal laws.
14. No member shall exploit TREIA’s membership lists for his own personal gain.
15. Any allegation of misconduct by a member, which might adversely affect the interests of TREIA, shall be received in written and signed communication to the Board of Directors; the Executive Committee will review and deliberate over any such allegation.
16. No Member shall defame, slander, libel or impugn the reputation of TREIA, nor shall any member misrepresent TREIA or profit from inappropriate personal use of the TREIA image, the TREIA name, or anything that would be considered proprietary to the organization as a whole.

As members of TREIA, we agree to abide by the principles in this Code of Ethics, and we understand that our membership in TREIA and our freedom to use TREIA-sponsored designations is contingent upon our faithful adherence to this Code of Ethics.

By acknowledging this Code of Ethics, I am agreeing to be bound by its stated principles.

TREIA has the authority to deny, revoke or suspend at its sole discretion, under due process, the membership of any member that engages in activities contrary to this Code of Ethics, contrary to the best interests of TREIA, or to the interests of the real estate investment industry.