Compliance & Rules 

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

    1. Complaint is submitted through Flexmls, Matrix or the MLS Conduct Complaint form.

    2. Complaint appears in the iCheck database the following business day

    3. MLS Staff reviews the complaint and determines if an error or violation has occurred

    4. If the listing is in violation and there is sufficient evidence, staff makes the correction and informs the listing agent via a notice from iCheck. If there is not sufficient evidence to make the correction, staff sends a courtesy notice to the listing agent and their broker requesting they update the listing or clarify the error.

    5. If the error is a repeat violation, staff corrects the listing and issues a fine notice

    6. Depending on the rule in violation a grace period of 2-7 days is given when a courtesy notice is generated

    7. If the listing remains in violation, staff calls the listing agent to inform them of the correction needed and generates a follow-up email.

    8. If there is no answer from the listing agent, staff contacts the listing broker and/or office administrator to address the violation.

    9. A fine is assessed if the violation is not addressed by the grace period.

  • Once you file a complaint, there is a detailed process. Unfortunately, you may not be able to see the inner workings of all the details, but we assure you that our Compliance Team receives every complaint. Keep in mind, not every claim that is submitted is a violation of the BeachesMLS rules. Sometimes, the reported issues are fixed, and other times, they do not warrant a violation. There are also times when the listing agent has not willingly cooperated, and a subsequent fine is assessed.

    It is also important to note that listings that begin with the letter A or T were entered by agents from other MLSs. Those complaints were sent to their respective MLSs for processing.

  • Since there is a step-by-step process, it can take anywhere from one to five days to correct an error on a listing.

  • Automatic emails are sent when a complaint is processed. If you have not received an email from compliance and would like to know the status, contact our compliance team at 561-353-9170 or compliance@rworld.com.

  • Our compliance team can help you at 561-353-9170 or by e-mail at compliance@rworld.com.

  • Those prefixes identify listings from other MLSs. Their respective Compliance Departments receive and handle complaints on their listings.

  • Try avoiding submitting the claim more than once. This could ultimately slow down the process.

Download Rules & Guidelines

Top Compliance Violations

  • Contact Info in Public Field

    Section 4.2d

    Input of URLs, Agent, company, third party or seller contact information (including but not limited to; phone numbers, agent or company names, email addresses, open houses, website links, bank contacts, title company contacts, HOA contacts, directive to contact listing agent or owner, etc.) in any field not expressly marked for contact information. This includes, but is not limited to, the public and supplemental remarks fields, the directions field, and public documents. Contact information may ONLY be placed in the Broker Remarks field and/or other fields designated for contact information. $500 per occurrence (two business day grace period for the first offense and automatic fine for any offense thereafter).

  • MLS Login Sharing

    Section 4.2a

    Unauthorized use or disclosure of BMLS login information, the MLS Compilation, or any portion thereof, any listing information or statistical or comparable reports to an unauthorized third party. $5,000 per occurrence and MLS forces a password change (unless the person who logged in joins MLS as a subscriber, participant, or assistant within 14 days of the determined violation).

  • Listing W/O Valid Agreement

    Section 4.1n

    If it is discovered that a Participant or Subscriber enters a listing into the BMLS system without a valid listing agreement the following fine will be assessed. 1st offense $1,000 per occurrence and 2nd offense $5,000 per occurrence.

MLS Support & FAQs

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

MLS Support Team