When a listing violates MLS Rules & Regulations, the system follows a structured notification and enforcement process. These notifications are designed to give participants an opportunity to correct issues before fines are issued—except in cases where violations are immediately fineable.
This article outlines the different types of notices you may receive and what each means.
Types of Compliance Notifications
1. Courtesy Notice
A Courtesy Notice is an informational alert that a potential issue has been identified in your listing.
- No fine is issued
- Typically used for:
- Minor issues
- Educational purposes
- Situations where MLS staff may take corrective action directly
- In some cases, MLS staff may edit or remove non-compliant content
Example:
- Inappropriate or potentially discriminatory language may be removed by MLS staff without issuing a fine
2. First Notice (Grace Period Notification)
A First Notice alerts you to a violation and provides a grace period to correct the issue before fines begin.
- No fine is issued initially
- A specific timeframe is provided (e.g., 1–3 days depending on the violation)
- If corrected within the grace period → no fine
- If not corrected → progresses to a Fine Notice
Examples of grace periods:
- 1-day grace period (e.g., address inaccuracies)
- 2–3 day grace period (e.g., missing photos, incorrect status)
3. Fine Notice
A Fine Notice is issued when a violation is not corrected within the grace period.
- A base fine is applied
- Additional fines may be issued if the violation remains unresolved
- Fines may escalate over time based on the rule
Typical escalation pattern:
- Base fine (e.g., $50 or $100)
- Additional fines applied every 1–2 days
- Maximum fine threshold reached, then stops
Important:
- You may still correct the violation after a fine is issued to prevent further penalties
4. Immediate Fine Notice
Some violations are considered serious compliance issues and are immediately fineable.
- No courtesy or grace period
- Fine is issued as soon as the violation is detected
- In some cases, MLS staff may also take corrective action (e.g., removing content)
Examples of immediate fine violations:
- Incorrect ZIP code ($50 fine)
- Improper use of data fields (e.g., contact info in remarks)
- Compensation information included in remarks
- Branded photos or tours
- Clear Cooperation Policy violations (significant fines)