Zillow has begun sending non-compliance warnings about listings being uploaded to the MLS, according to new guidelines that demand agents upload listings within 24 hours of being publicly marketed.
Inman reported that Zillow will adopt a 'three-strike' policy for brokers who will, starting June 30, receive warnings for their first two non-compliant listings before having their third non-compliant listing (and beyond) banned from Zillow, Trulia and StreetEasy—Zillow's specialist New York portal.
Warnings have been sent via phone calls and email.
A screenshot shared by industry commentator Mike DelPrete shows a warning sent by Zillow for a non-compliant listing, which said:
This is your second notification about a listing out of compliance with Zillow listing access standards. Starting June 30, your next non-compliant listing will be blocked on Zillow and Trulia for the duration of the listing agreement between your brokerage and the seller.
Our records show the listing was publicly marketed but was not placed on a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for distribution and display on other MLS participants' websites, including Zillow.com, within one business day of publicly marketing the property—a core requirement for our standards.
The warning went on to say that "any subsequent non-compliant listings will be blocked from Zillow and Trulia for the life of the listing."
Zillow said its roll-out strategy aims to give brokers enough time to understand and comply with the ban.
Certain listings will be exempt from the new policy, including rentals, FSBO, and 'coming soon' listings. Delayed Marketing Exempt Listings (DMEL) will also remain untouched, assuming brokers adhere to best practices.
Zillow says its listing ban rules will be rolled out nationwide by the end of the summer, after the NAR rolled back its Clear Cooperation Policy rules earlier this year.