As an industry, Alberta’s REALTORS^® have evolved their business practices to 

align with government directives regarding COVID-19. These changes include foregoing open houses, utilizing technology where possible, and applying safety protocols where face-to-face interactions are needed.

In order to best serve clients and promote public safety during this time of uncertainty, we need to be flexible and responsive. For this reason, AREA and the local Boards/Associations are introducing a temporary relaxation to MLS^® Rules around showings and withdrawals.

* Please note: This relaxation does not apply within the RAE Board at this time. *

Relaxing the showing and withdrawal rules will allow all members to be responsive to the specific needs and concerns of their clients during our current public health emergency.

MLS^® System Listing Rule 2.03.b:

… save commercial properties which are not subject to this rule, the property shall be available for showings within 24 hours of a request being made to view it.

Relaxation of rule due to COVID-19:

• Active listings are not required to be available for showings at this time.
• Sellers may instruct their REALTOR^® to decline any or all showing requests due to COVID-19 concerns and their listing will continue to be marketed on third-party websites and REALTOR.ca. Instructions must be in writing. There is no need to amend the listing contract.
• Members are required to disclose in the remarks section of the MLS^® System that the seller will not be accepting showing requests due to COVID-19 concerns.

Note: There is no change to the requirement for members to immediately notify the other party when a client is unable to keep, or does not want to keep, a scheduled appointment, even if their decision is due to COVID-19 concerns (see Practice Rules 7.02.a and 7.02.b).

MLS^® System Listing Rule 3.05:

An MLS^® Listing may be temporarily withdrawn for up to ten (10) Calendar Days per withdrawal request, provided that the Listing Brokerage provides written instruction to the Board that are signed by the person(s) who signed the MLS^® Listing Contract and that state the reason for temporary withdrawal/suspension.

Temporary relaxation of rule due to COVID-19:

• Listings may be withdrawn from the MLS^® System for more than 10 days when requested in writing by the seller. Withdrawn listings are not marketed on third-party websites and REALTOR.ca.
• Processes for withdrawn status extensions will be determined by the Board.
• The listing does not have to be withdrawn from the MLS^® System if the seller would like to continue marketing the property for sale.

These changes are in effect until further notice. We will continue to do our best to protect the health and safety of our membership and the general public. To get the latest in tips and protocols, please visit AREA’s COVID-19 page

AREA and the local Boards/Associations have been working to harmonize practice and MLS^® listing rules to create a provincial practice standard. In recent surveys, members’ top asks are for a single MLS^® and provincial 

practice consistency and we are responding to that feedback. Our collective efforts ensure you, our members, are best equipped to serve your clients. For more information on the provincial rules harmonization work underway, please reach out to communications@albertarealtor.ca.

REALTORS^® are considered essential service providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This does not mean that real estate continues as normal. For those consumers who move ahead with buying or selling properties, there are specific steps REALTORS^® and consumers can take to protect their health and the health of the greater community.

For safety procedures and practice protocols for working in this environment, please visit AREA’s COVID-19 webpage. This page and its documents are updated regularly, as recommendations and directives from Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer evolve, so please revisit as you engage new clients or before planning showings.

AREA has added additional information and recommended protocols to reflect real estate as an essential service. Please see the showing guides below.

Please note: Open houses are prohibited at this time.

Top links for your business:

Practice Tips for Operating During COVID-19 Pandemic
How to Conduct Showings
Hold Harmless Agreement Buyer
Hold Harmless Agreement Seller

We have also prepared a client-facing version of the showing tips for you to download and email to your clients.

For Consumers: Buying and Selling During COVID-19

We are expecting an update from the federal government, and CREA, on how members can avail themselves of federal assistance within the next couple of days. Funding is expected to be flowing around April 6 for those whose income has been eliminated by COVID-19.

REALTORS® across Alberta have been struggling with how to engage in the more face-to-face elements of their business, while being responsible citizens practicing social distancing in response to COVID-19.

After discussion with members and local Boards/Associations, AREA has decided to prohibit open houses, effective immediately. It is not possible to guarantee adherence to Alberta Health recommendations or protect member and public safety in an open house setting.

This is a strengthening of AREA’s previous recommendation to avoid open houses and will stay in place for the duration of Alberta Health social distancing recommendations to prevent unsafe pressure on our members to engage in potentially risky practice.

REALTORS® who have contractual obligations to host open houses are asked to work on other marketing solutions with their clients. Open houses will no longer be promoted or supported within the MLS® system or by local Boards/Associations.

We encourage you to be creative in the use of technology, such as virtual tours and videoconferencing.

AREA continues to urge caution in showing or viewing houses and recommends precautions be taken to reduce risk. Please visit www.albertarealtor.ca to get the latest in industry tips for working during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AREA has asked us to reach out to members to see if there are any measures that they can take that will help or anything that membership would like them bring front and centre to the provincial or federal government – they will pass those suggestions on to CREA.

Feel free to email suggestions to either myself at eo@carassociation.ca or advocacy@carassociation.ca and we will be sure to pass them along.

Hope everyone is sage and well!

Regards,

Larry Westergard – Executive Officer