MLS® IDX API Use Rules

1) Definitions

  •  Service / API: MLS® IDX API, which provides You with access to MLS® listing content supplied by authorized Boards/Associations.

  •  Listing Content: MLS® System listing information, including text, data fields, photographs, images, and media, that You are authorized to receive and display.

  •  Approved Website/App: Any website, application, or interface controlled by You where Listing Content is displayed in accordance with these Rules.

2) General Compliance

You must comply with these Rules, all applicable Board/Association rules and policies, CREA By-Laws and the REALTOR® Code, provincial and federal laws/regulations (including privacy and anti-spam), and any display or trademark policies related to MLS® and REALTOR® marks.

3) Data Integrity (Alteration & Addition)

1. Do not modify or manipulate Listing Content (e.g., prices, remarks, brokerage credits).
2. You may augment Listing Content with additional data that is not prohibited, provided it does not obscure, replace, or alter the received Listing Content.
3. You may co-mingle other sources with Listing Content, provided sources are clearly identified where required and Listing Content is not misrepresented.
4. You may add non-intrusive navigational elements (e.g., arrows/controls on images) that do not obstruct any part of the Listing Content or mandatory disclosures.

4) Use of Listing Content

1. Operate no more than one (1) Approved Websites/Apps using Listing Content.
2. Do not use Listing Content on an Approved Website/App that provides online brokerage services to consumers beyond display/search (e.g., contract execution, offers, or agency services through the site/app interface).
3. Do not permit consumers to post comments or reviews about a particular listing, nor link to such comments/reviews about that listing.
4. Do not redistribute Listing Content to any person or company except as expressly allowed in these Rules. No resale, sublicensing, or open/public feeds.

5) Security & Anti‑Scraping

1. Take reasonable precautions to prevent scraping and unauthorized use of your Approved Website/App and Listing Content, including:  •  Regularly monitoring for unusual traffic or scraping; and  •  Taking steps to block offenders (e.g., IP blocking, rate limiting, bot detection).
2. Promptly notify MLS® IDX API if you suspect scraping or unauthorized access.
3. Nothing in these Rules prevents you from displaying or providing information about your own listings that you created or obtained independently of the Service.

6) Display Requirements (Branding, Credits, Terms)

All Listing Content displayed on any Approved Website/App must:

1. Attribution & Link: Display the “Powered by REALTOR.ca” logo linking to the corresponding listing on REALTOR.ca (where available). Minimum: 90px width and 1:1 ratio.
2. Brokerage Credit: Prominently display the listing brokerage name and any disclosures required by provincial law/regulation alongside the Listing Content (i.e., without requiring a click).
3. Watermarks: Where CREA-provided photo/image watermarks are supplied, display them as provided.
4. Trademark & Ownership Statements: On every page where Listing Content appears, display: •  An MLS® and REALTOR® trademark statement consistent with CREA’s Trademark Policy; and •  The name and logo of the REALTOR®/brokerage responsible for the site/app, with any additional provincially required information, clearly indicating Your responsibility.
5. Terms of Use: Your Approved Website/App must require users to accept Terms of Use before accessing Listing Content (via click‑wrap or clearly presented browse‑wrap). At minimum, include: “REALTOR®, REALTORS®, and the REALTOR® logo are certification marks that are owned by REALTOR® Canada Inc. and licensed exclusively to The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). These certification marks identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA and who must abide by CREA’s By-Laws, Rules, and the REALTOR® Code. The MLS® trademark and the MLS® logo are owned by CREA and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA.”
6. And You must include copyright & prohibited uses text somewhere on your Approved Website/App: “The listing content on this website is protected by copyright and other laws, and is intended solely for the private, non-commercial use by individuals. Any other reproduction, distribution or use of the content, in whole or in part, is specifically forbidden. The prohibited uses include commercial use, “screen scraping”, “database scraping”, and any other activity intended to collect, store, reorganize or manipulate data on the pages produced by or displayed on this website.”
7. Advertising / Co‑branding: Do not place third‑party advertising or co‑branding within the Listing Content area or in a manner that suggests endorsement by other REALTORS®, Boards/Associations, CREA, or MLS® IDX API.

7) Filtering

You may filter displayed Listing Content only by objective criteria, such as:

  •  Geography/location;

  •  List price;

  •  Rentals;

  •  Property type (e.g., condominium, cooperative, single‑family, multi‑family);

  •  Property features (e.g., waterfront).

Filter choices must comply with applicable laws (e.g., no discriminatory or unlawful criteria).

8) Monitoring & Enforcement

1. You must make their Approved Websites/Apps accessible to MLS® IDX API, relevant Boards/Associations, and/or CREA upon request for compliance monitoring.
2. Within ten (10) business days of notice from MLS® IDX API or your Board/Association/CREA, You must make required changes to resolve violations. Access may be suspended during remediation.
3. For serious or continuing violations, MLS® IDX API may immediately suspend or terminate Service access in whole or in part. Boards/Associations and/or CREA may separately suspend or revoke your eligibility to receive Listing Content.
4. If a violation relates to Listing Content from a specific Board/Association, MLS® IDX API may restrict or disable access to that Board/Association’s content.
5. Upon termination, suspension, or opt‑out, You must cease all display of Listing Content and destroy any local copies or caches. You must also remove withdrawn/off‑market listings promptly when notified by the Service or required by the source Board/Association.

9) Data Handling & Caching

1. Cache Listing Content only for performance and availability as permitted by the source Board/Association and CREA policies; do not retain beyond permitted periods.
2. Implement regular refresh to reflect updates (new, changed, withdrawn, or sold) as required by your Board/Association.
3. Purge all cached/stored Listing Content within 24 hours of Service access termination or upon request related to compliance.

10) Credentials, Rate Limits & Fair Use

1. Keep Service credentials confidential; rotate if compromised.
2. Respect any rate limits or fair use policies communicated by MLS® IDX API or your Board/Association. Do not attempt to bypass limits.

11) Acceptance

By requesting or using access to MLS® IDX API, You agree to these Rules. MLS® IDX API may update these Rules from time to time; continued use after notice constitutes acceptance of the revised Rules.