Compass Files Code of Ethics Complaints Against Zillow

Zillow's ongoing legal battle with the brokerage Compass has taken another turn after Compass filed several Code of Ethics complaints against Zillow, alleging false advertising claims across 26 states, 55 MLSs and 30 Realtor associations.

The complaints focus on listing access standards, with Zillow accused of labelling available properties as 'not for sale'. Compass has already filed some complaints, with others set to follow.

A Compass spokesperson told Housing Wire:

"When sellers choose to publicly market their homes and make them available to the broadest possible audience, Zillow is keeping those listings from buyers because they were not initially prioritized on Zillow. In some cases, Zillow is displaying active, publicly available listings as not for sale.

"We believe this is false advertising that misleads consumers and keeps buyers from finding homes that sellers have intentionally made available to the market. Sellers should decide how their homes are marketed, and buyers deserve accurate information about what is actually for sale."

Meanwhile, Inman has reported that two specific properties were "excluded under Zillow’s listing access standards."

Inman said the listings were 'active' or 'pending' on Redfin, while Zillow labelled them as off-market.

Zillow said its listing access standards policy applies to listings that are publicly marketed on the condition that they have been offered to a narrower audience first. Zillow also told Inman that blocked listings can become eligible for display again if the seller changes agents or brokerages. Zillow’s website does caveat that information shown on its property pages may differ from information available through other websites or public sources.

A Zillow spokesperson told Inman, "It’s not surprising that Compass, a defendant in our federal antitrust lawsuit, is looking for additional venues to fight the same battle it’s losing in court."

"Compass’ business model depends on keeping listings off the public market first, so they are the one limiting reach and later wanting Zillow to cover for their scheme. That’s not false advertising, it’s standing up for a fair and transparent housing market.”

Zillow's methods have faced seemingly never-ending legal pressure since 2025. Compass CEO Robert Reffkin has lobbied MLS providers and brokerages to push back against Zillow, alleging abuse of monopoly power and steering tactics amid a slew of lawsuits from private and corporate plaintiffs alike.