CREA Approves Rules That Allow Flat Fee Access to the MLS System

In a move that appears geared to satisfy a recent challenge by the competition bureau, CREA, has approved rules which would allow more flexibility for home sellers to gain access to the MLS system.

Under the new rules real estate sellers would be able to pay their agents a flat fee to have their property listed on the MLS system. Agent’s would also be required to pass along the contact details for any interested buyers directly to the seller a large shift in policy for the MLS.

A CREA press release makes it clear these moves were made in order to try to satisfy a legal challenge by the competition bureau.

“Through the pro-active clarifications of the existing rules, CREA believes the concerns raised by the Competition Bureau are fully addressed,” the organization said in a press release. Source: Globe and Mail

Whether these moves are enough to settle this dispute is unclear. A spokesman for CREA said the new rules would go into effect as soon as it is reasonable for each local board to implement them.