YOUR MLS, YOUR CHOICE – MINIMAL UPDATES TO MLS RULES & FORMS GO LIVE ON OCT. 14

Posted September 17, 2025

 

MIAMI Members,

As you know, earlier this year, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) adopted a new MLS policy called “Multiple Listing Options for Sellers.” NAR’s stated goal with this new policy is to give sellers more control over when and how their properties are shared publicly through data feeds. Each MLS, including MIAMI Association of REALTORS’ (MIAMI) Southeast Florida Multiple Listing Service (SEFMLS), had to decide if and how this would be implemented.

 

What is MIAMI doing?

We heard you – with so much changing recently, MIAMI worked to ensure there will be no significant changes to the SEFMLS Rules so that you can keep doing what you do best: focusing on real estate and your business.

MIAMI’s current options already satisfy NAR’s new policy requirements while providing sellers (and, by extension, buyers) with multiple ways to market, sell, and lease their properties. The minimal changes are a result of months of careful consideration, research into what is best for the South Florida market and MIAMI’s unique membership, nearly 3,000 survey responses from MIAMI members, and dozens of one-on-one broker/manager meetings.

We appreciate your feedback!

 

What is changing (or not) in the SEFMLS Rules on October 14?

The Corporate Board of Directors approved the changes to the SEFMLS Rules on August 21, 2025. But, the updates go live in the SEFMLS on October 14, 2025, giving you time to review and prepare.

            #1        No new statuses

There are NO new statuses. The SEFMLS is maintaining the same statuses that are currently available. For a NEW quick reference guide on the statuses and listing types, where they are publicly displayed (or not), and the SEFMLS Rules for each, click HERE.

            #2        Updated “status” input sheet in the SEFMLS

You WILL see an updated “status” input sheet in the SEFMLS – see below for a draft of what you will see upon entry of a listing starting October 14, 2024. Status definitions will be clarified. Read more below about the option for “Active – Display on Internet N.”                       

#3        “Active – Display on Internet N” is not new, but it has a new home

As you can see above, the option to select either “Active – Display on Internet N” or “Active – Display on Internet Y” will now be on the “status” input sheet. Previously, SEFMLS Participants and Subscribers already had the ability to use “Active – Display on Internet N.” It was just harder to find. This means that the listing is available to ALL SEFMS Participants and Subscribers but is NOT publicly distributed. Now, it is simply easier to find.

            #4        Clarifications to “Coming Soon Status”

MIAMI is keeping the “Coming Soon” status. A listing can be in this status up to 21 days. In this status, days on market do not accrue, no showings or open houses are permitted, public marketing is permitted, and the listing is publicly distributed. Listing brokers must submit the updated signed Seller Authorization Form: Coming Soon Status to comingsoon@miamire.com. What’s new is that offers may both be presented and accepted – but status changes must be reported within 1 business day of accepting an offer (Rule 4.5).

            #5        No changes to “Office Exclusive” listings

There are no additional changes to “Office Exclusive” listings since the August 17, 2024, updates to the SEFMLS Rules. Entry into the SEFMLS is not required. Public marketing is permitted. Listing brokers must submit the updated signed Seller Authorization Form: Office Exclusive Listings to mls@miamire.com within 2 business days of the effective date of a listing agreement (Rule 15.1.1). The updated MLS Fine Schedule is here.

            #6        Revised “Seller Authorization Forms”

A revised “Seller Authorization Form” is required for all listings in “Coming Soon” status (send to comingsoon@miamire.com) and all “Office Exclusive” listings (send to mls@miamire.com). They must be submitted within 2 business days of the effective date of a listing agreement. Pursuant to NAR’s new policy, it requires disclosure to sellers about the potential risks of option out from exposure the SEFMLS provides to their listings. It also requires that the seller and broker release MIAMI from liability from the use of these options. NOTE: These are new forms, but they do not require you to amend your listing agreements (however, you will want to make sure that your listing agreements are consistent with the new forms).

            #7        NEW reference guide: “Listings: Where Do They Go? What Are the Rules?”

We created a one-page reference guide for you to share with your offices. It lists all possible statuses and listing types in the SEFMLS Rules and explains how they are distributed publicly (or not) and what the rules are for each.

            #8        Other updates

Rule 15.1.1     Listings must be entered into the SEFMLS within 2 business days of the effective date of the listing agreement.

Rule 15.1.10   Removed references to obsolete input fields.

Rule 15.8         Clarifies that audits are “document verifications” and that MLS Participants and Subscribers have 2 business days to respond, if audited.

Rule 15.9.1     Clarifies the purpose of the “Status Change Form” – it is only a reporting mechanism to the SEFMLS. It does not modify the terms of or cancel agreements, like listing agreements.

Rule 15.9.4     Clarified “OK to Advertise” requirements to ensure that those displaying others’ listings outside of the SEFMLS are complying with the options the listing broker selected (or changed) in the SEFMLS.

Rule 22.5.5     Sharing of listings through VOW, IDX, and third-party sites may be augmented with information about the properties from other sources (like property characteristics, sales price, demographics, flood data) to appear on the same search results (sources must be identified) UNLESS the listing broker provides contrary written instruction to each third-party aggregator.

Rule 24.23      MLS Participants and Subscribers cannot share their usernames and passwords for others to log into or use the SEFMLS. Violations of this Rule will lead to serious fines under the SEFMLS Rules – starting at $5,000 for the first violation – in addition to the liquidated damages in the MIAMI Membership Agreement.

Rule 30.4         Added “Brokerage Only – PDAP” (Participant Data Access Policy) to the types of data feeds available to MLS Participants and subscribers. It is available only for a brokerage’s own listings, subject to a data license agreement. This was already an option and was added for consistency.

Rule 30.5.7     Clarified that data feeds require and are subject to a data license agreement.

Rule 31.2.5.1  Owner must direct the listing broker in writing to withhold property address from VOW.

 

YOUR MLS – YOUR CHOICE!

This decision reaffirms that the SEFMLS Rules remain in alignment with MIAMI’s mission: to provide a trusted, transparent, and professional marketplace that empowers members, protects consumers, and strengthens the integrity of real estate transactions.

Resources for your brokerage

 Even though the changes are minimal, we want to ensure you have the tools to continue doing business at the speed of NOW.

• SEFMLS Rules (changes go live on October 14, 2025)
• Revised Seller Authorization Form: Coming Soon Status
• Revised Seller Authorization Form: Office Exclusive Listings
• NEW reference guide: “Listings: Where Do They Go? What Are the Rules?”
• Slides you can use to teach your office about the October 14 updates to the SEFMLS Rules
• MIAMI MLS Resource Center
• MLS Fine Schedule

What’s next?

Join the Legal & MLS Departments for webinars in English and Spanish to discuss the changes to the SEFMLS Rules before they go live on October 14, 2025. You will be able to ask questions in the Q&A. Click below to register.

• October 1, 2025, 1:00 – 2:00 PM (English)
• October 1, 2025, 3:30 – 4:30 PM (Spanish)
• October 2, 2025, 2:00 – 3:00 PM (English)
• October 2, 2025, 3:30 – 4:30 PM (Spanish)
• October 10, 2025, 2:00 – 3:00 PM (English)
• October 10, 2025, 3:30 – 4:40 PM (Spanish)
• October 16, 2025, 10:00 – 11:00 AM (English)
• October 16, 2025, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM (Spanish)

As always, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the Legal Department (legal@miamire.com) and/or the MLS Department (mls@miamire.com).

Thank you for being a MIAMI member!

Your MIAMI REALTORS® Legal & MLS Teams

 

DISCLAIMERS:

This page and all posts are meant to provide education and information on relevant legal topics facing the industry and are not a substitute for legal advice. This website contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user, or browser. MIAMI REALTORS® does not recommend or endorse the contents of third-party sites. For legal advice or representation, contact private counsel or call the Florida REALTORS® Legal Hotline (1-407-438-1409). The information and materials on MIAMI REALTORS®’ website are provided for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice or as an offer to perform legal services on any subject matter. It contains general information and may not reflect current legal developments or information. Nothing is intended to create an attorney-client relationship and shall not be construed as legal advice. The information is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, current, or suitable. MIAMI REALTORS® makes no warranty, expressed or implied, about the accuracy or reliability of the information in this program or materials. Recipients of the information in this program or materials should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information without seeking appropriate legal advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from an attorney licensed in the recipient’s state. MIAMI REALTORS® expressly disclaims all liability with respect to actions taken or not taken by the recipient based on any or all of the information in this information and materials.