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 34 specific issues outlined in the RMLS Rules and Regulations, and is responsible for addressing subscriber questions and concerns regarding listing accuracy whether those are submitted via the “Report Issue” button on a listing, through email, or by phone. When there are increases in specific violation types, we often place notifications on RMLSweb in order to alert subscribers so that they can avoid violations.
SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
Every month we send more courtesy notices than we do violation notices by a fairly wide margin. The top two most sent notices every month are reminders to let our subscribers know that their listing is going to expire soon and that their listing is still in pending (PEN) status.
We understand that life can be hectic, and we want to make sure that you are aware of what is happening with your listings. Year-to-date we have sent 10,054 notices, split nearly evenly between the two categories. In contrast, the top two violation notices, Missing Tax ID, and Incorrect or Missing Information, have combined for 5,045 total year-to-date.
The committee reviewed one case in June 2021 that resulted in fines totaling $2,700.00.
5.1.l – Unauthorized use of lockbox system: A Buyer’s Agent gave keys to a listing to the buyer prior to closing and then left them there.
5.1.q – Availability for Showing: A Seller’s Agent did not make a listing available for showing.
INFORMAL VIOLATIONS & COURTESY NOTICES
In September 2021, the RMLS Data Accuracy staff reviewed 28,796 listings in addition to the 449 notices sent through the “Report Issue” button on RMLSweb. Of the items reviewed, 1,220 violation notices and 1,577 courtesy notices were sent out. In addition, our team handled 416 phone calls.
Category
September
Missing Tax ID
370
Incorrect or Missing Information
141
Missing School
132
Personal Promotion
131
Missing Owner Name
61
Incorrect Status
56
No Showings
55
Duplicate Listing
55
Is Property a Condo
43
Property Condition
35
Incorrect First Photo
32
Incorrect Property Type
31
Listing Input in Incorrect MLS area
21
Inaccurate Lot Size
17
Missing Condo Unit Number
16
Partial Bathrooms 5+
12
Conditions to Compensation
9
HUD
1
City Unknown
1
Missing SQFT by Level
1
The following are the courtesy notifications sent to RMLS subscribers in September 2021:
Category
September
Listing is Set to Expire
649
Listing Still Pending
451
Multiple Owner Names in First Field
290
Listing Status Changed from PEN to SLD > 24 hours
104
New Listing Input Over 24 Hours
51
Listing Still in OMS, Public Records Indicate SLD
32
Questions about RMLS Rules and Regulations or the accuracy of specific listings can be directed to the RMLS Data Accuracy department at dataaccuracy@rmls.com or 503.395.1916.
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 34 specific issues outlined in the RMLS Rules and Regulations, and is responsible for addressing subscriber questions and concerns regarding listing accuracy whether those are submitted via the “Report Issue” button on a listing, through email, or by phone. When there are increases in specific violation types, we often place notifications on RMLSweb in order to alert subscribers so that they can avoid violations.
AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS
When entering a residential listing, it is important to make sure that the correct property type is listed. There can be some confusion about what the property type should be for a listing. Fortunately, we have a handy document that defines property types that you can bookmark in case you need it.
The committee did not review any cases in August 2021.
INFORMAL VIOLATIONS & COURTESY NOTICES
In August 2021, the RMLS Data Accuracy staff reviewed 31,260 listings in addition to the 490 notices sent through the “Report Issue” button on RMLSweb. Of the items reviewed, 1,275 violation notices and 2,018 courtesy notices were sent out. In addition, our team handled 416 phone calls.
Category
August
Missing Tax ID
434
Personal Promotion
148
Missing School
124
Incorrect or Missing Information
122
No Showings
65
Missing Owner Name
58
Duplicate Listing
56
Incorrect Status
43
Property Condition
37
Incorrect First Photo
32
Incorrect Property Type
30
Conditions to Compensation
29
Is Property a Condo
27
Listing Input in Incorrect MLS area
17
Partial Bathrooms 5+
14
Missing Condo Unit Number
10
HUD
9
Inaccurate Lot Size
8
Address Issues
8
City Unknown
3
Duplicate Listing in Different Categories
1
The following are the courtesy notifications sent to RMLS subscribers in August 2021:
Category
August
Listing Still Pending
631
Listing is Set to Expire
548
Multiple Owner Names in First Field
360
Listing Status Changed from PEN to SLD > 24 hours
320
New Listing Input Over 24 Hours
90
Listing Still in OMS, Public Records Indicate SLD
69
Questions about RMLS Rules and Regulations or the accuracy of specific listings can be directed to the RMLS Data Accuracy department at dataaccuracy@rmls.com or 503.395.1916.
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 34 specific issues outlined in the RMLS Rules and Regulations, and is responsible for addressing subscriber questions and concerns regarding listing accuracy whether those are submitted via the “Report Issue” button on a listing, through email, or by phone. When there are increases in specific violation types, we often place notifications on RMLSweb in order to alert subscribers so that they can avoid violations.
JULY HIGHLIGHTS
When a listing is input into RMLS it is important to remember that personal promotion is not allowed in the public remarks, on the photos, or in the virtual/video tours. Rule 3.25 of the RMLS Rules and Regulations states:
Listings submitted to RMLS may be used to provide information pertinent to the listed property only and may not be used to provide broker, seller or lessor contact information, or to advertise a Subscriber’s services to the public by way of direct or indirect advertising or “branding” of the listing data (through linking or otherwise.)
This rule is why we don’t allow links in the public remarks as well as why video tours must not lead to a site that contains contact information. We do review video tours to ensure that they are unbranded. In addition, we review the site where the video is hosted to make sure that it is also free from personal promotion.
Some personal promotion examples to avoid are using your name, your firm’s name, or having an email or phone number on the host site. One example of a hosting site would be YouTube. If the hosting site requires a name to be displayed our recommendation would be to use the property address, a generic phrase like “property for sale,” or a description from the public remarks.
The committee did not meet in July as there were no cases to review.
INFORMAL VIOLATIONS & COURTESY NOTICES
In July 2021, the RMLS Data Accuracy staff reviewed 32,693 listings in addition to the 435 notices sent through the “Report Issue” button on RMLSweb. Of the items reviewed, 1,284 violation notices and 1,994 courtesy notices were sent out. In addition, our team handled 322 phone calls.
Category
July
Missing Tax ID
418
Personal Promotion
184
Missing School
153
Incorrect or Missing Information
109
No Showings
62
Property Condition
56
Missing Owner Name
42
Duplicate Listing
39
Incorrect Status
39
Is Property a Condo
38
Incorrect First Photo
32
Incorrect Property Type
26
Conditions to Compensation
20
Listing Input in Incorrect MLS area
18
Inaccurate Lot Size
11
Missing Condo Unit Number
10
City Unknown
9
Partial Bathrooms 5+
7
Duplicate Listing in Different Categories
5
HUD
2
Address Issues
2
Missing SQFT by Level
2
The following are the courtesy notifications sent to RMLS subscribers in July 2021:
Category
July
Listing Still Pending
618
Listing is Set to Expire
515
Multiple Owner Names in First Field
397
Listing Status Changed from PEN to SLD > 24 hours
289
Listing Still in OMS, Public Records Indicate SLD
89
New Listing Input Over 24 Hours
86
Questions about RMLS Rules and Regulations or the accuracy of specific listings can be directed to the RMLS Data Accuracy department at dataaccuracy@rmls.com or 503.395.1916.
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 34 specific issues outlined in the RMLS Rules and Regulations, and is responsible for addressing subscriber questions and concerns regarding listing accuracy whether those are submitted via the “Report Issue” button on a listing, through email, or by phone. When there are increases in specific violation types, we often place notifications on RMLSweb in order to alert subscribers so that they can avoid violations.
JUNE HIGHLIGHTS
We are seeing a greater number of listings that are being entered and not able to be shown right away. As a reminder, if a listing has been entered into RMLS it must be available for showing unless it meets criteria laid out in rule 3.27 of the RMLS Rules and Regulations:
Availability for Showing. With the exception of Commercial Lease, Auction, and Coming Soon-No Showing listings, all active listings shall be available for showing immediately upon entry into the RMLS system, excluding listings which require all offers to be made contingent on interior inspection. Listings cannot restrict showing until a future date.
Though there may be valid reasons for your client to restrict showings, such as a renter occupying the property or the property being unsafe, but in cases like this agents should add a statement to the listing remarks that explains that all offers are contingent upon an interior inspection. It may be helpful to provide a brief explanation as to why showings are unavailable. If a home is simply not ready to be shown but you want to let people know it will available soon then publishing as Coming Soon-No Showing (CSN) would be appropriate. This allows other RMLS subscribers the chance to know about your listing so that they can share it with their clients while still affording your client up to 21 days to finish getting their home ready for showings.
It is also important to follow the showing instructions. As listing volume increases with the sunny weather, it can be easy to get excited and not double check the instructions before taking a client into a listing.
The committee reviewed one case in June 2021 that resulted in a fine of $250.00.
5.1.l – Unauthorized use of lockbox system: A Buyer’s Agent did not follow showing instructions.
INFORMAL VIOLATIONS & COURTESY NOTICES
In June 2021, the RMLS Data Accuracy staff reviewed 35,446 listings in addition to the 505 notices sent through the “Report Issue” button on RMLSweb. Of the items reviewed, 1,380 violation notices and 2,065 courtesy notices were sent out. In addition, our team handled 515 phone calls.
Category
June
Missing Tax ID
350
Personal Promotion
183
Missing School
182
Incorrect or Missing Information
143
No Showings
133
Duplicate Listing
69
Missing Owner Name
48
Incorrect Status
41
Incorrect First Photo
40
Property Condition
39
Incorrect Property Type
38
Is Property a Condo
36
Listing Input in Incorrect MLS area
18
Inaccurate Lot Size
14
Conditions to Compensation
13
Address Issues
9
Missing Condo Unit Number
7
Partial Bathrooms 5+
7
Duplicate Listing in Different Categories
6
City Unknown
2
HUD
2
The following are the courtesy notifications sent to RMLS subscribers in June 2021:
Category
June
Listing Still Pending
661
Listing is Set to Expire
558
Multiple Owner Names in First Field
354
Listing Status Changed from PEN to SLD > 24 hours
331
Listing Still in OMS, Public Records Indicate SLD
90
New Listing Input Over 24 Hours
71
Questions about RMLS Rules and Regulations or the accuracy of specific listings can be directed to the RMLS Data Accuracy department at dataaccuracy@rmls.com or 503.395.1916.
The RMLS Rules and Regulations Committee has requested that periodic reports are given to subscribers about the number and types of formal rules violations, along with information about informal violations and courtesy notifications by type. Read “If an RMLS Rule is Broken, What Happens?” for a deeper explanation.
Have you ever spotted something wrong in a property listing on RMLSweb? The Data Accuracy team is responsible for sorting things out whenever an RMLS subscriber contacts us — whether that is via the “Report Issue” button on a listing, through email, or directly by phone.
We track 34 specific issues in Listing Data Checker (LDC), the software that helps us spot and correct issues proactively. Eight of these are courtesy notifications, but the other 26 are informal violations of the RMLS Rules and Regulations. In addition to our focus on education, we also process formal violations throughout the year.
HOT TOPICS
Recently we’ve received quite a few notifications regarding incorrect or missing schools. You may have noticed that some of the school names you are used to seeing are now missing from RMLSweb. Recently several school districts have gone through a renaming process, with some schools changing names multiple times.
If you don’t see a school that you think should be on the list and want to know whether the school is missing or has a new name, here’s what to do: First, double check the area for your listing. It can be easy to be looking in the wrong area if the listing is near a county line or area boundary.
Next, check the local school district’s website for updated information. If you’re still not sure, you can always contact our Data Accuracy department at 503.395.1916 and we will help you determine what the new name of the school is.
The committee did not review any cases in April 2021.
INFORMAL VIOLATIONS
In April 2021, the RMLS Data Accuracy staff reviewed 31,851 listings in addition to the 574 notices sent through the “Report Issue” button on RMLSweb. Of the items reviewed, 1,327 violation notices and 1,564 courtesy notices were sent out. In addition our team handled 378 phone calls.
Category
April
Missing Tax ID
423
Missing School
157
Incorrect or Missing Information
127
No Showings
94
Duplicate Listing
92
Personal Promotion
86
Missing Owner Name
55
Property Condition
50
Incorrect Status
41
Is Property a Condo
38
Incorrect First Photo
36
Incorrect Property Type
33
Inaccurate Lot Size
23
Conditions to Compensation
13
Listing Input in Incorrect MLS area
12
Missing Condo Unit Number
12
Partial Bathrooms 5+
11
City Unknown
7
HUD
5
Missing SQFT by Level
4
Address Issues
4
Duplicate Listing in Different Categories
3
Is Listing a Short Sale
1
The following are the courtesy notifications sent to RMLS subscribers in April 2021:
Category
April
Listing Still Pending
632
Listing is Set to Expire
447
Multiple Owner Names in First Field
272
Listing Status Changed from PEN to SLD > 24 hours
104
New Listing Input Over 24 Hours
81
Listing Still in OMS, Public Records Indicate SLD
28
When we notice an uptick in a specific type of violation (perhaps a rule recently changed or market conditions leading to an increase in a certain type of issue), we may also put a notification up on RMLSweb, educating subscribers before one of their listings gets flagged and we need to contact them.
RMLS Data Accuracy can be reached via email or by phone at 503.236.7657 if you have questions about RMLS Rules and Regulations or the data accuracy of specific listings, or simply want to chat with us more about the above information.
