Several important MLS policy updates were recently approved by Realcomp's Board of Governors. These new policy updates include:

1) The expansion of the number of free office assistant logins made available to subscribing offices - effective as of March 1, 2015. The number of free office assistant logins is now based on the number of licensees in each office and are as such:

• Offices with 1-9 MLS Subscribers may have 1 free Office Assistant account;
• Offices with 10-49 MLS Subscribers may have up to 2 free Office Assistant accounts;
• Offices with 50-99 MLS Subscribers may have up to 3 free Office Assistant accounts;
• Offices with 100+ MLS Subscribers may have up to 4 free Office Assistant accounts.

Brokers can apply for office assistant accounts using these forms.

2) A revised policy concerning the re-use of property photos, virtual tours, and other electronic media - effective immediately. Specifically, this revised policy states these items, including the first primary photo, MAY NOT be reused from a previous listing and another agent unless written permission is provided from the previous list agent. This new policy was adopted in line with the fact that property photos may be copyrighted (by MLS Subscribers, photographers, etc.) and should not be reused without obtaining the proper permissions.

3) Stiffer MLS fines in connection with the unauthorized sharing of lockbox codes and the failure to update listing data and/or photos - effective immediately. This includes a fine of $5,000 (increased from $1,000) for disseminating lockbox codes to unauthorized parties. Sharing lockbox codes with unauthorized individuals can lead to unforeseen safety issues for the parties involved and unnecessary liabilities for those who unwisely promote unauthorized access to properties.

FYI - In January, 2015, the previous $1,000 fine was applied to one (1) MLS Subscriber for the violation of this policy.

4) Late Payment and Reinstatement Fees - effective as of March 1, 2015. Based on the amount of time and effort that is typically involved by staff in deactivating and reactivating users who fail to make payment by published due dates and/or deadlines, the following fees have been approved for implementation:

• Late fee: $25.00, plus 1/2% per month additional late charges.
  
• Reinstatement fee: $50.00. This fee is applicable when an MLS Subscriber is deactivated and then reactivated while with the same office within a 60-day period.
  

 
5) New policy verbiage in various sections of the policy manual to clarify several existing policies - effective immediately.

All revised MLS policies are identified in the most recent version of Realcomp's Policy Handbook with yellow highlighting. MLS Subscribers can access the handbook here.

 
** Please download and review the latest edition (dated February, 2015) of the MLS Policy Handbook at your earliest opportunity.