Starting Oct. 1, 2025, amendments to the provincial harmonized rules will be introduced. These updates were agreed to by all 10 Alberta real estate boards and associations to support consistency, clarity and best practices across the province. In addition, an amendment to our board-specific rules will be included in the rule updates next week.

Below is an outline of these updates.

Board specific rule amendment

Timeline to update withdrawn listings

What’s changed: A more understandable rule has been added so listing agents know that mistakes on their MLS® listings that result in the listing being withdrawn due to non-compliance with the rules still need to be updated – listings cannot be abandoned. 

Practical implications: If member practice has to move an MLS^® Listing into withdrawn status because it’s in violation of a listing rule, it’s expected that the listing agent will be working towards resolving the rule violation within a reasonable period of time. By identifying this period of time as 10 days, we hope listing agents can resolve non-compliant elements and notify the board, so the listing can be reactivated and property visibility on realtor.ca and other sites can be restored. 

Harmonized rule amendments

Lock box placement and identification

What’s changed: New requirements address theft and security concerns raised by REIX and law enforcement. Key boxes on multi-family complexes must:

1. Display serial numbers clearly on the box and on the keys inside

2. Include the serial number in the MLS^® listing or showing confirmation communication

Additionally, listing agents are required to place a lockbox at a reasonable height so members can use the lockbox without having to climb a ladder, tote around a step stool, or get on the ground to access property keys.

Practical implications: For multi-family complexes, listing agents must ensure the lockbox serial number is visible and provide that serial number to showing agents when confirming an appointment (or in the member only remarks on the listing). Showing agents need to have this information to identify the lockbox that corresponds to the unit listed for sale to mitigate frustration in figuring out which lockbox they’re looking for. This updated way of identifying lockboxes will help showing agents ensure they are obtaining and returning keys to the correct unit and lockbox, while reducing the risk of theft or misuse that can compromise the security of a seller’s unit.

Rule reference: CREB^® Rule Part II, Rule 8.06

Co-operating brokerages

What’s changed: A new sub-rule confirms that MLS^® listings cannot exclude any brokerage member from acting as a co-operating brokerage.

Practical implications: Reinforces the cooperative foundation of the MLS^® trademark, ensuring all members can participate in an MLS^® listing, and aligns with the expectations in the AREA listing agreements.

Rule reference: CREB^® Rules Part III 2.01 – adding sub-rule (e) - Requirements

Use of board-supported tools

What’s changed: All Alberta REALTORS^® who use board-supported tools and systems must ensure those resources are being used for their intended purpose. For example, showing systems cannot be used to create access restrictions beyond what is permitted by MLS^® System Listing Rules. 

Practical implications: This rule was implemented in our CREB^® specific rules by our board of directors in December 2024. Since then, and in collaboration with the Change Management Group, the 10 Alberta real estate boards/associations agreed to create a provincially harmonized standard. It reinforces the professional expectation that members, when using board-supported tools, do so in good faith. 

Rule reference: CREB^® Rules Part III 2.03 – adding sub (c) – Additional Requirements

Solicitation at Events

What’s changed: Slight edit to enforce the original intent of the rule that no solicitation of associates is permitted on board property or at board-organized meetings, courses or events.

Practical implications: This reinforces the expectation that board activities remain neutral territory. Regardless of whether a member is visiting the board to purchase a lockbox, pick up training materials or attending a committee meeting or PD session, members can’t recruit other members when visiting the board or attending a board event.

Rule reference: CREB^® Rules Part II 3.01 - Solicitation at Events

Definition of “Sale”

What’s changed: The term “sale” now includes both sales and leases, depending on context. 

Practical implications: This ensures clarity for lease-based listings, as the MLS^® Listing Rules have typically used buy/sell terminology but also apply to lease-based listings.

Rule reference: CREB^® Rules Part III 1.01(ff) - Terms and Definitions

Accumulated sales data

What’s changed: Members must report all unconditional sales, including price, within two business days, even if the listing has expired or been terminated, if it was known to have sold while the listing agreement was in force, or during the hold-over period.

Practical implications: This clarifies that the practice of expiring or terminating listings to sidestep the reporting of sales data is prohibited.

Rule reference: CREB^® Rules Part III 6.01

Contact crebmp@creb.ca if you have any questions about the amendments.