An appraisal management company commits unprofessional conduct if the appraisal management company:
(1) requires an appraiser to modify an aspect of an appraisal report and the modification requested is not related to substandard performance or noncompliance with the terms of engagement;
(2) requires an appraiser to prepare an appraisal report if the appraiser has notified the appraisal management company that, in the appraiser’s own professional judgment, the appraiser believes the appraiser does not have the necessary expertise for the specific geographic area;
(3) requires an appraiser to prepare an appraisal report under a time frame that the appraiser has notified the appraisal management company that, in the appraiser’s own professional judgment, the appraiser believes does not afford the appraiser the ability to meet all the relevant legal and professional obligations;
(4) prohibits or inhibits communication between an appraiser and a lender, a real estate licensee, or any other person from whom the appraiser, in the appraiser’s own professional judgment, believes information would be relevant;
(5) requires the appraiser to do anything that does not comply with:
(i) the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice; or
(ii) any assignment conditions and certifications required by the client; or
(6) makes any portion of the appraiser’s fee or the appraisal management company’s fee contingent on a favorable outcome, including:
(i) a loan closing; or
(ii) a specific dollar amount being achieved by the appraiser in the appraisal report.
Structure Maryland Statutes
Business Occupations and Professions
Title 16 - Real Estate Appraisers, Appraisal Management Companies, and Home Inspectors
Subtitle 5B - Real Estate Appraisal Management Companies
Section 16-5B-01 - Definitions
Section 16-5B-02 - Scope of Subtitle
Section 16-5B-03 - Registration Required
Section 16-5B-04 - Application and Registration
Section 16-5B-05 - Ownership Requirements
Section 16-5B-06 - Person Designated as Controlling Person
Section 16-5B-07 - Prohibited Relationships
Section 16-5B-08 - Competency Requirements
Section 16-5B-10 - Prohibited Acts
Section 16-5B-11 - Compliance With Appraisal Independence and Impartiality Standards
Section 16-5B-12 - Duty to Report Compliance Failures and Violations
Section 16-5B-13 - Standards of Unprofessional Conduct
Section 16-5B-14 - Schedule of Payments to Appraisers on Completion of Work
Section 16-5B-15 - Alterations of Completed Reports; Digital Signature or Seal
Section 16-5B-16 - Issuance and Use of Registration Number; Annual List of Companies
Section 16-5B-17 - Disciplinary Procedures
Section 16-5B-18 - Regulations
Section 16-5B-19 - Appraisal Management Company Annual Federal Registry Fee Fund