MLS Rules and Fines

MLS Rules
The Daytona Beach Area Association of REALTORS MLS follows the MLS Rules and Regulations of the National Association of REALTORS. DBAAR's MLS Rules and Regulations are available in pdf format.

About MLS Fines

About the New $1,000 MLS Fine

MLS Fines

The Daytona Beach Area Association of REALTORS MLS uses two methods to detect violations of MLS Rules.

The first is a sophisticated software program called "Data Checker." This automated computer system scans MLS listings and when violations of MLS business rules are found, it automatically generates an email notice to the listing agent. This email notice references the MLS listing number and outlines the nature of the offense. The email notification explains that the listing agent has 48 hours to correct the offense or receive a fine. After 48 hours, the system re-scans the listing, and if the offense is not corrected, it generates an email to DBAAR MLS staff, who reviews the offense to eliminate any "false positives." If staff determines the offense to be fineable, an email fine is issued with a copy to the listing agent's broker. The listing agent must then pay the fine, and failure to pay the fine results in termination of the listing agent's membership, including access to the MLS. Finally, unpaid fines are then transferred to the listing agent's broker who becomes responsible for paying the fine.

The second is through the MLS "Police Icon." Individual members can report violations by clicking on the Police Icon in the MLS. An email is generated to DBAAR MLS staff, who reviews the offense. If staff determines the offense to be fineable, an email notification is issued explaining that the listing agent has 48 hours to correct the offense or receive a fine.

What Do I Do When I Receive an MLS Fine?
If you have received a fine, it means that an email notification was sent to you but you did not correct the offense within 48 hours. Listing agents often indicate they never received the email notification, so it is critical that you keep a valid email address on file with DBAAR. It would be unusual for both the listing agent and the listing agent's broker to not receive these emails.
If you receive a fine, you may pay the fine via credit card, check or cash, and you can pay online 24x7 on our Internet Member Services site at http://ims.daytonarealtors.org/

Appealing a Fine
Should you wish to appeal an MLS fine, the procedure is as follows. Download and fill out our Fine Appeal Form. Send the form to Karen Nelson, MLS Coordinator at kdnelson@daytonarealtors.org. The MLS Committee will consider your fine appeal at its next meeting.

You may request to appear before the MLS Committee at its next meeting if you feel you need to explain your appeal. Our MLS Committee meets monthly, usually the first Thursday of each month. Meetings begin at 9:00 a.m. You will be notified via email that you can appear before the MLS Committee at its next meeting.

MLS fine appeals are placed on the meeting agenda first so members can state their cases to the whole MLS Committee, and resume their daily activities. The MLS Committee will then determine whether or not to grant the appeal. The committee can reject the appeal, waive the fine, or reduce the amount of the fine. You will be notified of the committee's decision.