Rules Notifications in 2025

Each year, NorthstarMLS reviews rules enforcement activity to better understand where subscribers may need additional clarity, reminders or support. This look back at 2025 notices sent is intended to highlight common trends and help you focus on small, proactive steps that keep listings accurate and compliant. 

In 2025, the most frequent notifications centered on listing status accuracy, timing requirements, and consumer-facing remarks and media.  

By a wide margin, Pending Status notices were the most common, with 7,269 violations sent. These notices are issued when a listing’s status does not reflect its current transaction stage, reinforcing the importance of timely updates as deals progress. 

The next highest category was Virtual Tour Review, with 1,038 violations sent. This was followed by Late Listing Check at 843 violations, highlighting the continued importance of entering listings within required timeframes. Public Remarks with Phone Number violations also remained a significant area, with 634 notices, reflecting ongoing attention to fair housing and advertising standards. 

Several other categories continued to appear consistently throughout the year: 

• Style Notice: 479 

• FSF (Finished Square Footage): 383 

• Bedroom Nonconforming: 349 

• Late Photo Check: 271 

• Driving Directions Remarks: 228 

• Compensation Notice: 201 

• Foundation Size Check: 154 

• Data Incorrect Notice: 137 

Together, these categories account for a substantial portion of total notifications and represent areas where quick reviews during listing input or status changes can prevent future notices. 

Media-related issues also remained common. In addition to Virtual Tour Review notices, Photo Violations (96), Photo Caption Check (59), and Photo Copying (16) reinforce the importance of ensuring listing media accurately represents the property and complies with MLS rules. 

Property and location accuracy was another recurring theme. Violations such as PID issues (70), Municipality Incorrect (42), Zip Code Notice (11), and Year Built Notice (11) underscore how even small discrepancies can affect data reliability downstream. 

Our goal in sharing this information is education, not enforcement. These notices help protect data integrity and ensure NorthstarMLS remains a trusted source of information for brokers, agents and consumers alike. Many of the most common issues can be avoided with a quick review before publishing or updating a listing. 

What Should You Do if You Receive a Violation Notice? 

If you receive a violation notice, it is very important to respond to the Rules & Regulations team so it can get closed properly before it becomes a fine. It is also important to respond to the Rules & Regulations team when a fine is received to be sure the fine does not escalate. 

All fines and notices have a 48-hour window for updating and responding. If the listing is not fixed or responded to within the 48-hours, it will escalate to where we issue a fine. 

Do Violations Mean Fines? 

NorthstarMLS has very few rules that immediately result in fines. In many instances, we send warning notices about violations before fines are even assessed. For all the citations we issue, only 2% of them result in actual fines. 

Have Questions?

If you have questions about a notice or want help reviewing a listing, the Rules & Regulations team is always available at rules@northstarmls.com.

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Want Office Training? 

The NorthstarMLS Rules & Regulations team offers office training where you can learn more. Brokers or office administrators can request training by contacting us at rules@northstarmls.com.