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What is the likelyhood of someone getting in trouble if I file a complaint with Texas Real Estate Commission?
but I don't have any proof. This Realtor was terribly rude with my mother and me. He has told her (even though she actually has a clean credit and it was a mistake, long story) that he has no choice but to tell the owner of the place we want to rent that she has 51 past dues and 6 collections from her credit check. (I was told that private info like that can't be given to a third party) and has ignored my phone calls and hers. When I called from a different number, he answered, but proceeded to hang up on me when I asked for his boss' phone number because he didn't want to speak with me. I have no recordings, or emails, just my word and my moms..and the realtor that we're working with..would that help? he also said that when he did the credit check he checked on the computer twice and called the company to verify, but everyone knows that you can't talk to a live person (Experian) unless you have a report number, which they do not have. that's the problem, he's the realtor for the owners of the house that i want :( and you're right..being rude is not against any rules.. bah!
4 months ago - 6 answers
Best Answer
Chosen by Asker
This agent WORKS FOR THE LANDLORD. He has a FIDUCIARY responsibility to the owner (landlord) of the property, even if it is a mistake. He has a legal obligation to give his professional opinion as to the worthiness of a potential renter, that is why he stated he must tell the landlord. Since he is an agent of the landlord, the landlord hired him the screen tenants and, therefore, the landlord would be entitled to view your credit worthiness. As to his rudeness, you can log on the the Texas Real Estate Commission's website and download a complaint form. If you submit a form in writing, they MUST investigate the complaint. Whether or not they will reprimand him is dependent on their findings. Do you know what company he works for? If so, you can call his main office (the phone number of his broker would have to be on any advertising he has done) and make a verbal complaint. Again, this may not do any good. My best advice is to seek another apartment and just understand that there are jerks who live among us.
Source(s)
4 months ago
Asker's Rating: 
Other Answers
I appreciate your position, however being rude, not answering phone calls isn't against the rules that govern Realtors. And if you can't prove he gave out personal information, filing a complaint would be useless. I would find another Realtor to help you. There are good and bad people in this business just like many others. I am sorry you and your mother had to experience it first hand. But the best thing you can do is to tell everyone you know how bad a Realtor he was and don't forget to tell them all his name!
by alterfemego- 4 months ago
Rude won't get him fired. I'd start with someone new.
by zocko- 4 months ago
I am assuming that the realtor is managing the property for the owner.Sharing credit info with the owner is not sharing a third party,the owner has the right to know what kind of credit a possible tenant has.Im a manager and I share and discuss crdit info with the owner of the apartments where I work. He shouldn't be rude ,there is never a excuse to be rude. However I am curious about the 51 past dues...where did he come up with this info? You need to get a credit report and look at it and see what is on it.I had some problems with credit and got a copy of my report and it had wrong info on it.I disputed the info and it was ultimatly removed from my credit report. Other than being rude ,I really don't see anything that would warrant a complaint to the Texas Real Estate Commission.There was no fault in him discussing credit with the owner of the property,because as I said,it is their property and they have a right to know about the people who want to live there. It is possible that he spoke with Experian because he has to have a copy of the credit report. I run into this problem a lot,everytime I have to deny a application, I get all types and kinds of complaints and threats ,so realtors and managers etc. have heard them all before.If you are denied by one place ,go look elsewhere. And persistent phone ringing gets no one anywhere and it's pointless. No one has to answer the phone and after someone has rang it over and over ,I normally just unplug it.
by rainedayz_tx- 4 months ago
Not likely at all. This Realtor may be a jerk, but that isn't against any of the rules of being a Realtor.
by godged- 4 months ago
He would not get in any trouble, he did nothing illegal. He had to tell the landlords about your credit. They hire him to check those things, they expect him to tell them what they need to know to protect their interest. They are not a "third party", they are actually the first, he is their rep. A third party would mean someone not involved in the transaction.
by Landlord- 4 months ago