e060913 Donating an inspection

Identifier: e060913

Date: 11/12/2006

Question

A realty agent in my area has been diagnosed with cancer and the family has no insurance.  They are having a get together to raise money for her medical bills. An agent from her office asked if I would donate an inspection to be auctioned off and the proceeds go to her medical bills.  Is this a violation of the CoE?  Also, I was thinking of running a promotion of donating $20 of every home inspection I would do for the next month as well.  Is this a violation of the CoE?

Response

Donations to charitable events organized by real estate brokers do not constitute direct or indirect compensation to realty agents.  While this particular donation would inure to the benefit of a real estate agent, it is not connected to a referral from the agent and would not violate the Code of Ethics.