Code of Conduct
National Community Titles Institute Inc.
The prestige attached to being a member of the National Community Titles Institute depends on the reputation of its members. Each member must maintain the high standard of ethical and professional conduct required by the Institute.
Affiliate Member has the meaning given in the Rules.
Executive Council means the Executive Council of the Institute.
Institute means the National Community Titles Institute Inc.
Logo means any symbol approved by the Institute as an identifying mark.
Member means a person admitted to membership in any category defined in the Rules.
Rules means the Rules of Incorporation of the Institute.
The code is not intended to cover all aspects of ethical conduct and professional practice. Appropriate conduct requires observance of unwritten conventions. As a general guide, members should at all times conduct themselves in a dignified and responsible manner consistent with the following principles:
Integrity
Members should be straightforward, honest and sincere.
Objectivity
Members must be fair and must not allow prejudice or bias to override their objectivity.
Independence
Members should be free, and should appear to be free, of any interest that might be regarded as being incompatible with integrity and objectivity, and should disclose any direct or indirect conflict of interest.
Confidentiality
Members should respect the confidentiality of information acquired in the course of their work and should not disclose any such information to a third party without specific authority or unless there is a legal duty to disclose it.
Technical Standards
Members should carry out their work in accordance with the technical and professional standards relevant to that work.
Competence
Members have a duty to maintain their level of competence. They should only undertake work which they can expect to complete competently.
4.1 Disciplinary action will be the responsibility of Affiliate Members in most instances.
4.2 If the Executive Council resolves to discipline a member, the council must adopt the procedure provided in the Rules.
5.1 Members may display the logo, but must comply with any Rules regarding display of the logo advised from time to time by the Executive Council.
5.2 The use of the logo by members of Affiliate Members must be authorised by the Affiliate Member, and must be consistent with any Rules advised pursuant to 5.1.
Members must not directly or indirectly pay or accept an undeclared commission in any form.
7.1 A member should refrain from any conduct that might bring discredit to the Institute, or its members.
7.2 It is unethical for a member to induce or attempt to induce a breach of contract between a community association and its community association manager.
7.3 A member must not denigrate another member.
8.0 Delivery of Books and Records
If a member ceases to be the community association manager for a community association, the member must produce records upon request from an authorised representative of the community association, and must co-operate in electronic transfer of records. Transfer of documents should occur in accordance with any statutory requirement or practice guidelines adopted by the relevant Affiliate Member.
9.1 Members must not advertise in a way which:
(a) Creates false or unjustified expectations of favourable results; or
(b) Consists of self-laudatory statements that are not based on verifiable facts;
(c) Contains unidentified testimonials.
10.0 Codes for Affiliate Members
Any code of conduct or rules of conduct adopted by an Affiliate Member must be consistent with this code.
11.0 Search of Community Association Records
11.1 A member must inspect records at the office of a community association manager without removing, damaging or disordering any of the records, and with as little disruption as possible.
11.2 A member must facilitate a lawful search conducted by a community association search agent.
11.3 If suitable facilities exist, and upon payment of an appropriate fee, in the absence of reasons for not doing so, and for the purpose of expediting an inspection, a member should allow portions of community association records to be photocopied.
11.4 It is unethical for a member to utilise for the member's own benefit, information which has come into the possession of the member as a result of a search of the books and records of a community association.
Members must implement any Code of Practice adopted by the Institute or an Affiliate Member of which the Member is a member.
13.0 Continuing Professional Education
Members must comply with any requirement for continuing professional education of an Affiliate Member of which the Member is a member.
National Community Titles Institute © 2008