Code of Conduct

All of the TPTLA members have agreed to abide by and follow the following code:

Preamble and Objectives
The members of the Texas Property Tax Lienholders Association (TPTLA) believe that the best interests of property owners, mortgage lienholders, Texas tax collector- assessors and its members are best served through the voluntary observance of ethical standards and practice, and hereby subscribe to the following Code of Conduct and Responsibility.

Compliance with Laws
TPTLA members shall conduct their business in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Honesty and Integrity
The members of TPTLA shall conduct business in a manner reflecting honesty, honor and integrity.

The members of the TPTLA shall not create, distribute or dispense information known to be false, fraudulent or illegal, or engage in any practices that are known to be false, fraudulent or illegal.

Confidentiality
The members of TPTLA shall keep borrower information that is not public information confidential, and shall avoid unauthorized disclosure of confidential information.

Advertising and Marketing
The members of TPTLA shall advertise and market in an honest way, and shall not represent or otherwise imply that they are a government agency, or an agent representing a government agency.

The members of the TPTLA shall make every reasonable effort to assure that their advertising and marketing practices are not misleading to the public.

The members of TPTLA shall not advertise or market loans that are not available.

Respect Property Owner
The members of the TPTLA shall respect the rights of property owners, and shall act in manner that is fair and reasonable in their dealings with property owners.

Respect Mortgagees
The members of the TPTLA shall respect the rights of mortgagees.

Respect Tax Assessor Collector
The members of the TPTLA shall respect the rights and obligations of Texas Tax Assessor-Collectors, and will cooperate with them to fulfill their collection, payment, recording and other responsibilities.

Respect Competitors
The members of the TPTLA will not make disparaging comments about the business practices of competitors.

Accurate Records
The members of the TPTLA shall maintain complete and accurate books and records of its loan accounts.

Contracts
The members of the TPTLA shall honor all written contracts and loan agreements.

Foreclosure
The members of the TPTLA will not foreclose without providing proper notice to owners and mortgagees, and will provide opportunities to cure defaults as required, and allow post foreclosure redemptions as provided for by law.

Non Discrimination
The members of the TPTLA will not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, disability, religion, national origin or marital status.

Disclosure of Other Options to Property Owners That Are Disabled or Elderly
The members of the TPTLA will disclose to all applicants that are either disabled or elderly the other options that may be available to them (deferral of taxes, etc).

Predatory Lending
The members of the TPTLA will not engage in predatory lending practices, and will not target property owners that own their properties free and clear with the intention of foreclosing.

Targeting Disadvantaged
The members of the TPTLA will not target property owners that are disadvantaged, by virtue of their age or disability or otherwise may fail to understand the nature of the property tax loans being offered.

Enforcement
The members of the TPTLA participate voluntarily, and agree to abide by this Code of Conduct and Responsibility. Failure to abide by this code is grounds for termination of a member’s rights to be a member of the TPTLA.

The members of the TPTLA shall cooperate in all respects in the event a complaint is made to the association, and shall place all pertinent facts and information relative to such complaint before the association’s board if a hearing is held regarding any particular case.