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Consumers and members

Dispute Resolution

A clear path to resolve a disagreement — with a member, between members, or over a shared listing — without starting in court. It does not replace the Complaints Book, consumer arbitration centres or the courts.

Dispute Resolution Regulation · Approved by the General Assembly · Free for consumers and members

Dispute Resolution is different from Confidential Reporting. A report flags conduct; here we seek a resolution between two identified parties.

The four stages

1 · Direct contact

Before opening a case, evidence of a direct attempt with the member is required. Many cases end here.

2 · Filing and admission (5 working days)

A form with facts, dates and documents. APMLS acknowledges receipt and checks admissibility within 5 working days. The other party has 10 working days to respond.

3 · Mediation (30 working days)

An independent mediator hears the parties separately and together. Any agreement is put in writing and binds both.

4 · Arbitration (60 working days)

Without agreement, a panel of three arbitrators — two members and one external lawyer — issues a reasoned decision, binding on members.

What can be filed
Consumer
Against a member

Misleading information, lack of fee transparency, breach of the agency contract, discriminatory treatment.

Member
Between members

Disputed procuring cause, failure to honour the fee offer, unauthorised advertising, improper client approach.

What APMLS cannot do

✓ Void purchase contracts or deeds.
✓ Arbitrate disputes between a member and someone who is neither member nor client.
✓ Replace IMPIC in matters of its exclusive competence.
✓ Award damages for non-financial loss.

Tried to resolve it directly without reaching agreement?

File the case: we take the facts, notify the other party and schedule mediation. No cost for consumers or members.

Open a case →
APMLS

An independent non-profit association. We set the rules of real-estate cooperation in Portugal and publicly verify who follows them.

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