The Rules Roundup provides a monthly accounting of RMLS rules violations and courtesy notifications. Our Data Accuracy team manages all reports of property listing errors, tracking 27 specific issues outlined in the RMLS Rules and Regulations, and is responsible for addressing subscriber questions and concerns regarding listing accuracy.

HIGHLIGHTS

With the expansive forms change project that was recently rolled out, a new status was also added. This new status comes with some useful features that will make listing a property in two categories much easier. The first thing to note is that when listing a property in two categories it will automatically be linked to its twin so that future updates on one property will automatically be applied to the other. There will also be a link to the other listing featured on both listings. Here is the description of the rule:

• Sold Other Category (SOC). For properties that can be listed in multiple property categories (ex. Residential and Commercial), when it’s time to designate the property as “sold” in RMLS, the Seller’s Agent will mark one listing as Sold (SLD) and the system will mark the other listing as Sold Other Category (SOC). During initial data input of these two listings, the system will help the Seller’s Agent connect them together and as modifications are made to one listing (ex. price change, status change, etc.), then the system will apply that change to the second listing.

 This means that you will no longer need to cancel one of the listings after marking the other SOLD. This should significantly cut down the number of unwanted calls sellers receive once a listing is cancelled and drastically lower the number of duplicate listing violations. It will also more accurately represent the status of these listings.

FORMAL VIOLATIONS

The RMLS Rules and Regulations Committee reviews all formal complaints which allege a violation of the RMLS Rules and Regulations. The committee has the power to impose sanctions.

The committee did not review any casees in December 2023.

INFORMAL VIOLATIONS

The chart below shows violations that generated at least 15 instances in the past month. This month we saw some significant changes for certain categories.

• Missing School rose from 4 to 35
• HUD dropped from 28 to 9
• Missing Condo Unit Number dropped from 118 to 64
• Duplicate Listing fell from 150 to 105
• Missing Tax ID rose from 47 to 153

Data Accuracy Department Statistics

The gain or loss comparison displayed in the parenthesis is versus the previous month.

• Listings Reviewed: 11,288 (-5,851)
• Notices Sent: 3,238 (+512)
• Violation Notices Received: 227 (-141)
• Courtesy Notices Sent: 2,663 (+923)
• Phone Calls Received:  124 (+14)

How to Report Violations

Subscribers have multiple options to report violations, including a Report Issue button on every RMLSweb listing. Subscribers can email our Data Accuracy team at dataaccuracy@rmls.com or call them at 503.395.1916. When there are increases in specific violation types, we sometimes place notifications on RMLSweb.

The Rules Roundup provides a monthly accounting of RMLS rules violations and courtesy notifications. Our Data Accuracy team manages all reports of property listing errors, tracking 27 specific issues outlined in the RMLS Rules and Regulations, and is responsible for addressing subscriber questions and concerns regarding listing accuracy.

HIGHLIGHTS

Solicitation of a Listing Under Contract (section 9.4 RMLS Rules and Regulations) is a rule that was adapted from the Realtor Code of Ethics (Realtor Code of Ethics Article 16). The purpose of this rule is to allow constituents to submit their listings to the MLS without fear of client poaching from other agents. This also allows homeowners peace of mind that they can provide their information to the MLS without being inundated by solicitations.

The value that a combined database provides is immense and utilization of this relies on cooperation between constituents. The most common violation we see regarding this fine occurs when an agent does not check if an expired or cancelled listing has been relisted prior to sending out solicitations. General solicitations that are based on geographic area, occupation, organization, or group membership are permitted under this rule so long as they are not specifically marketed using information pulled from the MLS.

Be aware that any use of the MLS database for the purpose of solicitation to a listing that is currently under contract is a violation of this rule, even if you are unaware that the listing was under contract at the time of solicitation. This violation carries a potential fine of up to $2500.

FORMAL VIOLATIONS

The RMLS Rules and Regulations Committee reviews all formal complaints which allege a violation of the RMLS Rules and Regulations. The committee has the power to impose sanctions.

The committee did not review any casees in November 2023.

INFORMAL VIOLATIONS

The chart below shows violations that generated at least 15 instances in the past month. This month we saw some significant changes for certain categories.

• Missing School rose from 4 to 35
• HUD dropped from 28 to 9
• Missing Condo Unit Number dropped from 118 to 64
• Duplicate Listing fell from 150 to 105
• Missing Tax ID rose from 47 to 153

Data Accuracy Department Statistics

The gain or loss comparison displayed in the parenthesis is versus the previous month.

• Listings Reviewed: 17,139 (-4,122)
• Notices Sent: 2,726 (+22)
• Violation Notices Received: 368 (+77)
• Courtesy Notices Sent: 1,740 (-16)
• Phone Calls Received: 110 (-104)

How to Report Violations

Subscribers have multiple options to report violations, including a Report Issue button on every RMLSweb listing. Subscribers can email our Data Accuracy team at dataaccuracy@rmls.com or call them at 503.395.1916. When there are increases in specific violation types, we sometimes place notifications on RMLSweb.