Stay MLS Compliant

The MLS is your most powerful tool for listing and finding properties for your customers. The effectiveness, however, depends on how clearly you and your fellow Realtors® input listing data. When necessary, we will inform you of discrepancies through our iCheck MLS courtesy notices. Meanwhile, please take a moment to review your MLS Rules, Regulations & Compliance Guidelines below, which have been created to mirror NAR professional standards.

How do I file a complaint & what’s the process?

You can file a complaint in the MLS in both Matrix & Flexmls. There is a process and there are some steps after the initial complaint is filed.

How can I contact the Compliance Support Team?

You can reach our Compliance Support Team by calling 561-353-9170 or by sending an email to compliance@rworld.com.

Top Compliance Violations

Download Regulations & Guidelines

 
 

Common Questions

What is Variable Dual Rate really intended for?

The Variable Dual rate field is defined by the National Association of REALTORS® as a form of compensation in which the seller agrees to pay a specified commission if the property is sold or leased by the listing broker without assistance and a different commission if the sale or lease results through the efforts of a cooperating broker. It is not meant for when the listing broker is receiving a different amount than the selling broker. If the listing broker is taking a higher commission rate than the selling broker they’re entitled to. The MLS does not require that this be disclosed in the listing. It is the listing agent’s responsibility to disclose the amount of compensation offered to other agents however they are not obligated to disclose the commission amount they will receive. There is also no obligation to disclose that they will be receiving a different amount than the other agent. Per NAR and anti-trust laws the only thing we can do as an MLS is require that commission is offered to our Participants. If there is a dispute regarding the commission then the parties would be required to arbitrate. This is covered in the rules Article VII Division of Commissions which states: Section 7 Cooperative Compensation Specified on Each Listing. The listing Participant shall specify, on each listing filed with MLS, the compensation offered to other Participants for their services in the sale of such listing… MLS shall not have a rule requiring the listing Participant to disclose the amount of total negotiated commission in his listing contract, and RAPB + GFLR shall not publish the total negotiated commission on a listing which has been submitted to RAPB + GFLR by a Participant. MLS shall not disclose in any way the total commission negotiated between the seller and the listing Participant.

What is Any Broker Advertise?

The Any Broker Advertise field allows listing agents to determine whether the listing is allowed to be advertised by other agents (restrictions apply). When a listing is marked “Yes,” other agents are allowed to market the listing with the following restrictions: In the advertisement, you must not portray the listing as your own; The listing content cannot be altered in any way and must paint a true picture of the property; The listing brokerage must be credited with the words “Courtesy of” in a readily visible font and typeface. Note that readily visible means it cannot be hidden in small print or in a link that has to be clicked on to expand; and Agents can change this field at any time so remember to check it often and keep a copy of the listings marked “Yes.” If the field is changed to "No" then the advertisement should be removed. Failure to comply will result in an Unauthorized Advertising Violation. For more information, see MLS Rules and Regulations and Compliance Guide.

What are Conduct Violations?

Conduct violations refer to how an agent conducts their business; such as advertising another agent’s listing without their permission. Most of these are situational rather than data related and reported by other agents. The violating agent and broker then receive a notice with an automatic fine and are given the opportunity to request a hearing to dispute the violation. Requesting a hearing is new, this opportunity was not previously available.

 

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