Q: How do I actually file a complaint on a Realtor in Oregon for not properly disclosing foundation and roof structural damages before signing the deal. We were rushed into it by our realtor. He said “we better make an offer now before someone else takes it; LONG before we got the 3 yr old inspection report that was not acted on.”
A: Oregon gives you a clear path, but it may not lead where you expect.
File your complaint with the Oregon Real Estate Agency, which licenses agents. Write it in your own words, because the Agency says complaints that appear AI-generated may be rejected. Expect patience: more than 80 percent of cases finish within 150 days. If your agent belongs to a local association, you can also file an ethics complaint there. That is a separate track, since an association cannot touch a state license. Oregon Real Estate Agency : Complaint Process : Complaints and Consumer Information : State of Oregon +2
Here is the contrarian part. Being rushed is not a violation. Pushy is legal; concealing is not. Oregon law requires agents to disclose material facts they know that are not apparent or readily ascertainable to a party. So your complaint lives or dies on what your agent knew, and when. Oregon Public Law
Before filing, answer four questions:
- Did your agent actually have that three-year-old inspection report, or only the seller?
- Did the seller’s disclosure statement mention the roof or foundation? Oregon sellers must deliver one covering structure, and buyers get five business days to revoke unless that right was waived. Did you waive it? Harris Sliwoski
- Did you receive the report before closing? If so, the timeline changes.
- Did you order your own inspection? The state form says buyers must pay diligent attention to defects they know of or could discover. FindLaw
Build a dated timeline with texts, emails and documents attached. That is what investigators can use. Use the Agency’s licensee search to confirm your agent’s license number and any prior discipline. In your summary, stick to facts: dates, who said what, and which documents you received and when. Attach the inspection report, the disclosure statement, the purchase agreement and a contractor’s repair estimate. Leave out anger and legal conclusions; investigators want evidence, not adjectives.
Now the hard truth. The Agency cannot help you get money back or get you out of the transaction. A complaint targets the agent’s license, not your repair bill. Oregon’s disclosure statutes preserve claims for fraud and negligence, so recovering money runs through other doors. Oregon Legislature
Try mediation first. It is faster and cheaper than court, and it often works when the paper trail is strong. Bring the repair estimate, because a real number focuses everyone. Then consult an attorney. Many offer free consultations, and one hour with a real estate attorney can tell you whether the seller, the agent or both are exposed. Ask about deadlines, because complaints and lawsuits both have time limits.
Do both at once: file the complaint to hold the agent accountable, and pursue mediation or counsel to fix the damage. One caution: photograph the damage and get written estimates before any repairs begin, because evidence disappears once the crew arrives. Your roof will not repair itself while the Agency investigates.
