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2018 Changes to the NAR Model IDX Rules
The Internet Data Exchange (IDX) policy of the National Association of REALTORS® (Multiple Listing Policy Statement 7.58) was first adopted May 2000. The policy and accompanying model IDX rules have subsequently been revised several times; most recently the Multiple Listing Issues and Policies Committee adopted revisions at its November 2017 meeting.
During the 2017 Midyear Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo and the 2017 REALTOR® Conference and Expo, the NAR Board of Directors approved amendments to the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) Policy (Multiple Listing Policy Statement 7.58). Changes were made to the accompanying IDX Rules in Section 18 of the NAR Model MLS Rules and Regulations (all types), found in the current Handbook on Multiple Listing Policy. Those changes are shown in legislative style below (underscoring indicates additions, strikeouts indicate deletion).
These amendments recognize other forms of IDX delivery and enhancement to existing IDX rules. View the current IDX policy.
Section 18, IDX Defined
IDX affords MLS participants the ability to authorize limited electronic display and delivery of their listings by other participants via the following authorized mediums under the participant's control: websites, mobile apps, and audio devices. As used throughout these rules, "display" includes "delivery" of such listings. (Amended 5/17) M
Section 18.1 Authorization
Option #1: Participants' consent for display of their listings by other participants pursuant to these rules and regulations is presumed unless a participant affirmatively notifies the MLS that the participant refuses to permit display (either on a blanket or on a listing-by-listing basis). If a participant refuses on a blanket basis to permit the display of that participant's listings, that participant may not download, frame or display the aggregated MLS data of other participants.* (Amended 05/17)
Option #2: Participants' consent for display of their listings by other participants pursuant to these rules and regulations must be established in writing. If a participant withholds consent on a blanket basis to permit the display of that participant's listings, that participant may not download, frame or display the aggregated MLS data of other participants.* (Amended 05/17)
* Even where participants have given blanket authority for other participants to display their listings on IDX sites, such consent may be withdrawn on a listing-by-listing basis where the seller has prohibited all Internet display or other electronic forms of display or distribution. (Amended 05/12)
Section 18.2.3 of the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) Rules
Listings, including property addresses, can be included in IDX displays except where a seller has directed their listing broker to withhold their listing or the listing's property address from all display on the Internet (including, but not limited to, publicly-accessible websites or VOWs) or other electronic forms of display or distribution. (Amended 05/17) M
Section 18.2.4 of the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) Rules
Participants may select the listings they choose to display on their through IDX sites based only on objective criteria including, but not limited to, factors such as geography or location ("uptown," "downtown," etc.), list price, type of property (e.g., condominiums, cooperatives, single-family detached, multi-family), cooperative compensation offered by listing brokers, type of listing (e.g., exclusive right-to-sell or exclusive agency), or the level of service being provided by the listing firm. Selection of listings displayed on any through IDX site must be independently made by each participant. (Amended 05/17) M
Section 18.2.12 of the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) Rules
All listings displayed pursuant to IDX shall identify the listing firm in a reasonably prominent location and in a readily visible color and typeface not smaller than the median used in the display of listing data.* (Amended 05/17) M
* Displays of minimal information (e.g., "thumbnails", text messages, "tweets", etc., of two hundred [200] characters or less) are exempt from this requirement but only when linked directly to a display that includes all required disclosures. For audio delivery of listing content, all required disclosures must be subsequently delivered electronically to the registered consumer performing the property search or linked to through the devices application. (Amended 5/17)
Section 18.3.3 of the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) Rules
All listings displayed pursuant to IDX shall identify the listing firm in a reasonably prominent location and in a readily visible color and typeface not smaller than the median used in the display of listing data. Displays of minimal information (e.g., "thumbnails", text messages, "tweets", etc., of two hundred [200] characters or less) are exempt from this requirement but only when linked directly to a display that includes all required disclosures. (Amended 5/12) O
Section 18.3.9 of the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) Rules
The data consumers can retrieve or download in response to an inquiry shall be determined by the MLS but in no instance shall be limited to fewer than five hundred (500) listings or fifty percent (50%) one hundred (100) listings or five percent (5%) of the listings available for IDX display, whichever is fewer. (Amended 11/17) O