Maryland Real Estate Commission / Agent & Broker Defense

For Agents & Brokers

An MREC letter is on your desk.
Your license is the asset.

What to do in the first days, how the investigation and hearing actually work, and the defense that protects the career you built.

FIRST MOVES

DK Law Group is not affiliated with the Maryland Real Estate Commission. This page is educational and is not legal advice.

TAKE IT SERIOUSLY, STAY CALM

A complaint is not a verdict.
Your response decides a lot.

Most agents will face a complaint at some point in a long career. Many resolve with no action. What separates a quiet resolution from a costly one is often the first response, because the wording you put on the record early tends to frame everything that follows.

Diana Khan is an attorney and a licensed broker, so we defend your license from inside the profession. We know the standards you are actually held to, and where a complaint is weaker than it looks.

THE FIRST 72 HOURS

What to do the moment the letter arrives.

Do This

  • Note the response deadline immediately and calendar it.
  • Preserve every file, email, and text tied to the transaction.
  • Tell your broker if the rules or your agreement require it.
  • Call counsel before you draft your written response.

Avoid This

  • Firing off an emotional reply to the complainant or the Commission.
  • Editing, deleting, or back-dating any record.
  • Contacting the complainant to talk them out of it.
  • Ignoring the deadline and hoping it goes away.

INVESTIGATION & HEARING

How the case moves from letter to decision.

01

Notice & Response

You receive the complaint and a deadline to respond in writing. This response sets the tone.

02

Investigation

An investigator reviews records and may interview both sides before reporting to the Commission.

03

Resolution or Hearing

Many matters resolve informally. Others proceed to a formal hearing where evidence is presented.

04

Decision & Appeal

MREC issues a result. Depending on the outcome, an appeal may be available.

DEFENSE STRATEGY

A strong defense is rarely about saying more. It is about putting the right facts on the record, in the right order, and meeting the complaint on the standard you are actually held to as a licensee.

Because we know that standard from the inside, we can often show that conduct was reasonable, disclosed, or simply outside what the Commission regulates.

Protect the license. Protect the record.

  • Frame the first response

    Accurate, measured, and complete. No admissions you do not need to make.

  • Build the documentary record

    Disclosures, signatures, and timelines that show you met your duty.

  • Prepare for the hearing

    If it gets there, we ready your testimony and present the case cleanly.

COMMON QUESTIONS

For agents and brokers.

If your question is not here, a free call will answer it.

  • Yes. Ignoring an MREC notice is one of the worst moves you can make. The question is not whether to respond, but how to respond well and on time. Talk to counsel before you draft it.

  • Usually, no. Once an MREC complaint is filed, direct communication can create more risk, especially if emotions are high or the facts are disputed. Your response should be handled carefully, in writing, and with the right documentation. Speak with counsel before contacting the complainant.

  • It can. A complaint does not automatically mean discipline, but if MREC finds a violation, the matter may lead to action against your Maryland real estate license. Possible outcomes can include dismissal, a reprimand, fines, suspension, or other licensing consequences depending on the facts. Maryland’s complaint materials state that complaints are reviewed and may be dismissed if they are outside MREC’s jurisdiction, unsupported, or made in bad faith.

  • Your broker may help explain office records or transaction details, but the complaint is about your license and your professional conduct. If your license, reputation, or livelihood is at risk, it is smart to speak with an attorney before submitting a response.

  • There is no fixed timeline. The process can depend on the complexity of the complaint, whether more documents are needed, and whether the matter is dismissed, investigated further, or set for a hearing. MREC reviews complaints involving Maryland real estate transactions and licensed agents or brokers.

  • Possibly. If you disagree with the outcome, your options may depend on the type of decision and where the case is in the process. Do not wait until the deadline is close. Speak with counsel quickly so you can understand whether reconsideration, a hearing, or an appeal may be available.

  • No. DK Law Group is not part of the Maryland Real Estate Commission. We represent real estate professionals, brokers, and other parties who need legal guidance when an MREC complaint, investigation, or licensing issue arises.

REVIEWED BY

Diana Khan, Esq.

Diana is an attorney and licensed real estate broker in Maryland and Pennsylvania, offering insights from both legal and industry perspectives in MREC matters. Her guidance reflects the Commission's operations, not just statutory provisions.

Talk To DK Law

Not sure which door is yours? Start with a free call.

Tell us where you stand and we will point you to the right next step. No obligation, no affiliation with MREC, just clear direction.

Book A Free Consultation (240) 266-0291