How to File a Complaint Against a Real Estate Agent in Ohio

Co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD

Last Updated: March 29, 2019

If you have had a negative experience with a person practicing real estate in the state of Ohio, such as a real estate agent or broker, you can file a complaint with the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing, also known as the "Division." The Division is limited in the relief it can offer, but it can try to resolve your complaint in the form of mediation. To file a complaint with Ohio's Division of Real Estate, you must fill out a complaint form that includes the full details of your complaint and then send it to the Division for review. You may submit your complaint electronically or on paper.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Filing a Complaint Online

1
Access the website for the Ohio Division of Real Estate. Any concerns that you may have regarding a real estate agent, appraiser, broker, or any licensed professional in the real estate field, will be handled by the Ohio Division of Real Estate. You can find this by beginning at the website for the Ohio Department of Commerce, at www.com.ohio.gov.^{[1]
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Research source} From there, find the tab for “Divisions” and click on the “Real Estate and Professional Licensing.” You will be redirected to the Division of Real Estate.^{[2]
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- Beyond being the gateway for filing complaints, this screen has a great deal of useful information regarding the real estate field.
2
Connect to the Complaint Form. Scroll to the bottom of the screen, under the heading of “How Do I?” Find the link to “File a Complaint Against a Licensee” and select it. You will be redirected to the complaint form that you need.
- The Complaint Form online will accept typing. You can enter your information directly onto it, and then print the finished copy. Alternatively, you may elect to print the blank form and complete it by hand. If you choose to do that, make sure that you write very legibly in blue or black ink.
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3
Read all the instructions on the Real Estate Complaint Form. The top portion of the Complaint Form contains information about the complaint process. It explains what the Division of Real Estate does and does not have the power to do.^{[3]
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Research source} Before you continue, make sure that the problem you are having is one that can be resolved this way.
4
Review the concerns that the Division of Real Estate will review. The Division of Real Estate is the licensor and regulator of real estate brokers and real estate salespeople. In its capacity as regulator, the Division will use this Complaint Form to review the following:^{[4]
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- complaints against licensed real estate agents in Ohio
- complaints against people licensed outside of Ohio but working in the state
- concerns or complaints about unlicensed people acting as real estate agents in Ohio
5
Understand what the Division of Real Estate does not do. You may not use the Complaint form for any of the following concerns or complaints:^{[5]
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- concerns or problems related to condominium associations
- problems with homebuilders or contractors
- complaints about mortgages, banking or lending
- problems with title companies
- complaints against home inspectors
- resolution of legal concerns or rescinding any contractual matters (you may need to take such problems to court)
6
Provide your identification and the identification of the subject of the complaint. You need to fill in your name, address and contact information. In doing so, you are notified that this becomes a public record and will be shared with the subject of the complaints. The Division will not accept or act on anonymous complaints. You are then asked to identify the subject of your concerns. Include as much information as possible, including name, address and employer.^{[6]
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7
Identify the property that is the subject of the transaction. If your concerns with this real estate agent originated in connection with a single piece of property, identify that property by giving its address and the date of the transaction, if any.^{[7]
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8
Provide your attorney’s name, if applicable. The Division’s objective in accepting complaint forms is to attempt a resolution to your problem. If you have already hired an attorney related to this matter, the Division may contact that attorney in an effort to understand the problem.^{[8]
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9
Name any witnesses who may provide information about your complaint. If someone else was with you through the transaction who may have observed the agent’s behavior, provide the name and contact information here.^{[9]
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10
Indicate the nature of your complaint. You are also asked to select from a list of descriptive phrases about the nature of your complaint. You may select more than one that apply. Some of the selections include:^{[10]
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- Won’t release a deposit / earnest money
- Didn’t give me copies of paperwork I signed or requested
- Has been convicted of a crime
- Has lied to me about this transaction
- Threatened me with a lawsuit
- Discriminated against me or members of my family
- Demands a commission they didn’t earn
- Didn’t inform me they owned the property I bought
- Promised something not in the contract
- Didn’t deliver my offer / present me an offer. (Timely)
11
Write a narrative account of your complaint. A space is provided for you to write an account of your interaction with the real estate agent in your own words. If you need additional space, you may attach extra pages. In order for your concerns to receive full attention, it is best if you follow these tips in writing your concerns:^{[11]
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- Report mainly facts.
- Try to limit emotional responses. It is understandable that you are upset but be professional in this report.
- Type or write legibly. Nobody can help you with your problem if they cannot read and understand it.
- Be concise, but also complete. You do not need to include every single detail that ever happened, but you do need to include enough to tell the full story.
12
Sign and date the complaint before submitting. After the complaint form is complete, you need to print it, and then sign and date it. Your signature indicates your affirmation that all the information is true.^{[12]
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13
Attach any supporting documents. If you have copies of sales contracts, lease agreements, or anything else that supports you complaint, you should make copies and attach them with your complaint form.^{[13]
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14
Submit your complaint by email. After you have all the documentation prepared, you will need to scan it and save it as a single document. You can then send the form by email to webreal@com.state.oh.us.
- Complaints are not accepted by email if they do not use the state’s official Complaint Form.
15
Await a response from the Division of Real Estate. Upon receipt of your complaint, the Division will begin an investigation. As part of the investigation, the Division is likely to contact you and the real estate agent to participate in a mediation. The objective is to help guide you and the agent (or employer) to a resolution that is mutually agreeable.^{[14]
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- If the investigation leads to further problems regarding the real estate agent, you may be asked to testify at a hearing.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Filing a Complaint on Paper

1
Contact the Division of Real Estate for a Complaint Form. If you do not have access to the Internet, or to a computer with a printer, you can contact the Division of Real Estate by telephone to request a paper copy of the Complaint Form.
- Call the Division's main office at 614-466-4100 to have a form sent to you or to find a location from which to obtain the form.
2
Complete the real estate complaint form in its entirety. The form consists of four pages, with numerous sections. You need to complete each section:^{[15]
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- Type the form or write it in pen using blue or black ink.
- Provide contact information for yourself and the real estate agent you are filing the complaint against, including full names, addresses, email addresses, company names, and telephone numbers.
- Indicate whether you are interested in a resolution through mediation, have copies of documents you can provide to support your complaint, and whether you have hired an attorney to assist you with this particular complaint.
- Provide the contact information for any witnesses involved in the incident for the complaint; including names, addresses and telephone numbers.
- Indicate the nature of your complaint and whether the real estate agent you are filing the complaint against is aware you are filing the complaint.
3
Write a narrative account of your complaint. A space is provided for you to write an account of your interaction with the real estate agent in your own words. If you need additional space, you may attach extra pages. In order for your concerns to receive full attention, it is best if you follow these tips in writing your concerns:^{[16]
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- Report mainly facts.
- Try to limit emotional responses. It is understandable that you are upset but be professional in this report.
- Type or write legibly. Nobody can help you with your problem if they cannot read and understand it.
- Be concise, but also complete. You do not need to include every single detail that ever happened, but you do need to include enough to tell the full story.
4
Sign and date the complaint before submitting. After the complaint form is complete, you need to sign and date it. Your signature indicates your affirmation that all the information is true.^{[17]
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5
Attach any supporting documents. If you have copies of sales contracts, lease agreements, or anything else that supports you complaint, you should make copies and attach them with your complaint form.^{[18]
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- Do not submit original documents with your complaint form.
6
Submit your complaint by mail or in person. After you have all the documentation prepared, mail it or deliver it in person to Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing, Enforcement Section, 77 S. High St., 20th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215-6133.
7
Await a response from the Division of Real Estate. Upon receipt of your complaint, the Division will begin an investigation. As part of the investigation, the Division is likely to contact you and the real estate agent to participate in a mediation. The objective is to help guide you and the agent (or employer) to a resolution that is mutually agreeable.^{[19]
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- If the investigation leads to further problems regarding the real estate agent, you may be asked to testify at a hearing.