MLS Data Access Requirements: Who Can Use MLS APIs

Overview

This article explains who is eligible to use MLS APIs and clarifies common misunderstandings about access requirements.

Who Can Use MLS APIs?

MLS APIs are available to two specific groups:

Real Estate Professionals

Real estate agents and brokers
Real estate teams
Brokerages

Developers, Agencies or Vendors Helping Real Estate Professionals

Developers, agencies and vendors who have been hired by real estate professionals to build their technology.

Important Clarifications

For Real Estate Professionals

✅ Allowed: Using APIs for your own real estate business activities

❌ Not Allowed: Letting friends or third parties use your MLS access for their services

❌ Not Allowed: Creating a separate business that uses your MLS access, even if you're a licensed real estate professional

Developers, Agencies and Vendors

✅ Allowed: Building products or services whose sole use is for real estate professionals

❌ Not Allowed: Creating your own product or service that uses MLS data

Important: MLS Approval Requirement

If you are a developer, agency or vendor you must obtain specific approval from your MLS to work with Repliers, often times this will require you to obtain your own data license from the MLS. Generic MLS data licenses do not automatically grant permission to use our services.

Common Misconceptions Clarified

"My friend is a real estate agent, so I can use their credentials"

No, this is not permitted. Access must be directly used by the participating MLS member for their business.

"I'm partners with a real estate agent in my tech company"

Having a real estate agent as a business partner does not qualify your company to use MLS data for services not directly related to that agent's real estate business.

"One of our employees is a real estate agent"

Having a real estate agent on staff does not qualify your company to use MLS data for services not directly related to that agent's real estate business.

"We work with real estate agents"

If you have working relationships with real estate agents, this does not permit them to share MLS data with you for use in your business.

"I'm a student and need access to the data for academic research purposes"

The MLSs do not permit their data to be used for any academic purpose.

"As an MLS vendor, I can create any type of service with my data license"

No, MLS vendors with data licenses can only create products and services for participating MLS members, not their own products and services. For example, as an MLS vendor you can build a website for a real estate agent that allows the public to browse listings but you can not build a website for yourself that allows the public to browse listings.

Still Have Questions?

If you're unsure about whether your use case qualifies to use MLS APIs, please contact our support team at support@repliers.com with details about your situation.

Updated on: 14/04/2025