e101104 Advertising fee includes Christmas Party
Identifier: e101104
Date: 11/30/2010
Question:
Is advertising in a real estate broker’s “office vender book” a violation of the ASHI Code of Ethics if half of the advertising fee ($50) is for expenses to help cover the costs of an office Christmas party?
Answer
ASHI Code of Ethics item 1C states:
1. Inspectors shall avoid conflicts of interest or activities that compromise, or appear to compromise, professional independence, objectivity, or inspection integrity.
C. Inspectors shall not directly or indirectly compensate realty agents, or other parties having a financial interest in closing or settlement of real estate transactions, for the referral of inspections or for inclusion on a list of recommended inspectors, preferred providers, or similar arrangements.
The payment of a fee to advertise in a real estate broker’s publication is not, in itself, a violation of the ASHI Code of Ethics. As long as there is no “pay-to-play” arrangement, whereby a member pays a fee to be the exclusive recipient of referrals and provided the opportunity to advertise in the publication is available to any inspector so interested, no violation exists.
Reference: 1C