1. Why did I get a fine?
2. How does MFRMLS find violations?
3. How long do I have to correct a violation?
4. What if I don’t make the correction?
5. What if I have additional violations in a year?
6. Are there violations that receive immediate fines, i.e. with no warning notice?
7. How can I avoid paying the fine?
8. What happens if I can’t or don’t pay?
9. Can I appeal my fine?
10. How do I report a possible violation?
11. Can I contact the listing agent or broker directly?
12. Can I call to report a report a violation?
13. Is my identity kept confidential when I report a possible violation?

1. Why did I get a fine?

Like most MLSs nationwide, your Board of Directors has adopted a policy of fining users who enter incomplete or inaccurate data or fail to enter critical and essential listing information. The sole purpose is to ensure their fellow professionals can trust the accuracy and reliability of the information in assisting their clients and customers with their selling and buying decisions by ensuring compliance with MFR’s Rules and Regulations. Visit www.mfrmls.com to view or download the latest copy of our Rules and Regulations. Back to Top

2. How does MFRMLS find violations?

We use an automated database scanning system, iCheck, which is programmed to catch most instances in which the data is not in compliance with our Rules and Regulations. We also receive agent reported violations from our users and our Admin staff performs regular random manual checks to ensure the accuracy. Back to Top

3. How long do I have to correct a violation?

In most cases, you have 24 hours to correct the error after receiving a warning e-mail notice from MFR before a fine is imposed. However, when the violation constitutes a potential violation of state or federal law (e.g. Fair Housing, 55+ Disclosures) or concerns allowing unauthorized use of, or access to, the MLS database, the Board of Directors considers these serious enough to warrant immediate and substantially heftier fines ranging from $500 to $5,000, with no courtesy warning. Please contact our Admin Team if you need help making corrections. Visit www.mfrmls.com to view or download the latest copy of our Rules and Regulations. Back to Top

4. What if I don’t make the correction?

If you don’t correct a routine violation within 24 hours after receiving the e-mail notification, you will incur an additional fine in accordance with MFR’s adopted “progressive fine schedule”. Should your total fines reach $250 in any one year, your broker will receive a courtesy call from us to offer help with implementing controls and data checking procedures to prevent additional fines. Please contact our Admin Team if you need help making corrections. Back to Top

5. What if I have additional violations within a two year period?

The Board of Directors has adopted a progressive fine schedule for multiple violations by the same user within two years. The progressive fine schedule is per-agent per-offense and any Rule violation in Section 7 is counted as an offense.  The term "within a two-year period" is defined as occurring within any two consecutive MFRMLS fiscal years (July 1 - June 30).  Fines are billed to the Participant.

• 1^st offense within two year period:                           $  50
•   2^nd offense within two year period:                          $100
•  3^rd offense within two year period:                          $250 and notification that a fourth offense will require a disciplinary hearing before a Board hearing panel.
• 4^th offense within two year period:                          $500 minimum fine and other discipline as determined by a Board hearing panel.

6. Are there violations that receive immediate fines, i.e. with no warning notice?

Yes. These more serious violations receive automatic fines and progressive schedule does not apply.
• For providing incorrect or incomplete information or failing to correct the information after a fine has been paid, the broker is assessed an additional fine of $500 for each occurrence.
• For failing to obtain the owner’s signature on a change in status, price change, extension, or change in terms, the broker is assessed a fine of $500 for each occurrence. (Acceptable alternative documentation includes faxed or email authorizations with the owner’s electronic signature.)
• For failing to have all required signatures at the time the property was entered, the broker is assessed a fine up to $2,500 per occurrence as determined by the Board of Directors.
• For allowing or providing access to the MLS system by unauthorized persons, a fine of up to $5,000 will be assessed for each occurrence against any broker or agent found in violation.
• For violations involving “Over 55 Housing”, a fine of $500 for each occurrence for the first three violations within one year. A fourth violation requires a hearing by a panel of MFR Directors at which additional sanctions may be imposed.
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7. How can I avoid paying the fine?

Complete the “Enter and Update Listings” class within 30 days of the fine and you’ll receive a $50 credit towards it. Back to Top

8. What happens if I can’t or don’t pay a fine?

If you don’t pay or take the appropriate class within 30 days, your MLS services are suspended and your broker is notified. Should your account become 90 days past due, all those in your office risk losing MLS access until the fine is paid. Back to Top

9. Can I appeal my fine?

Yes. However, the Board of Directors has a strict policy on fine waivers, since MLXchange has pop-up notices on some fields, we have also implemented a 24 hour warning notice for most violations before any fines are issued and we do allow a member to take a “enter and update class” for a $50.00 credit towards a fine. Back to Top

10. How do I report a possible violation?

In MLXchange, there’s a button on the left side labeled “Agent Reported”. Click it and follow the prompts. The MLS system forwards the report to the Admin Team which then researches it and send out the appropriate notice. This process could take 5-7 business days for a resolution. Back to Top

11. Can I contact the listing agent or broker directly?

Yes, but please be courteous when informing a fellow professional of a possible violation. Remember, the next time it could be them calling you! Back to Top

12. Can I call to report a violation?

Sure. But please understand that while we’ll certainly listen, before we can take action you still must formally report and document it using the violation reporting system in MLXchange. Back to Top

13. Is my identity kept confidential when I report a possible violation?

Yes. The “Agent Report” system is confidential. We do not disclose the identity of those reporting possible violations under any circumstances. Back to Top

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