Must-Haves for Website Compliance in Texas

1. TREC Consumer Protection Notice (CPN)

You must place a link to the official TREC Consumer Protection Notice prominently on your homepage. It should read exactly:

• “Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice” (min. 10-point font)

• Or “TREC Consumer Protection Notice” (min. 12-point font)

This ensures you're providing required disclosures about licensing status, how to file complaints, recovery funds, and more.

TREC: https://www.trec.texas.gov/agency-information/rules-and-laws/trec-rules
Bertolino Law (Belo Law): https://www.belolaw.com/blog/what-must-be-posted-in-texas-real-estate-brokerage-office

2. Information About Brokerage Services (IABS) Form

Your homepage must also include, in at least 10-point font, a link labeled “Texas Real Estate Commission Information About Brokerage Services” (or “TREC Information About Brokerage Services” in 12-point font) to the IABS form, which must be provided at the first substantive communication about a specific property.

TREC: https://www.trec.texas.gov/what-required-information-must-be-provided-advertisements-such-signs-email-and-business-cards

3. Accurate Advertising and Identification

Every ad (webpage, listing, social media post) must include your name or team name, and your sponsoring broker’s name.

The broker’s name must be at least half the size of the largest contact information displayed.

TREC: https://www.trec.texas.gov/article/trecs-advertising-rules-what-you-need-know
Rogers & Elliott, PLLC (RETex Law): https://retexlaw.com/texas-realtor-advertising-rules%3A-what-license-holders-must-know-to-avoid-the-bite-of-the-trec-watchdog

Avoid misleading titles like “CEO,” “President,” or “Brokerage,” especially if you're a sales agent—not the broker of record.

TREC: https://www.trec.texas.gov/article/trecs-advertising-rules-what-you-need-know
RETex Law: https://retexlaw.com/texas-realtor-advertising-rules%3A-what-license-holders-must-know-to-avoid-the-bite-of-the-trec-watchdog

Team names must be pre-registered with TREC and end with “Team” or “Group.” They must not give the impression the team operates independently of its broker.

TREC: https://www.trec.texas.gov/article/trecs-advertising-rules-what-you-need-know
RETex Law: https://retexlaw.com/texas-realtor-advertising-rules%3A-what-license-holders-must-know-to-avoid-the-bite-of-the-trec-watchdog

4. Fair Housing Compliance

Ensure your website—and any form or ad—does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, nationality, ancestry, familial status, or disability. That includes language choices, filtering, imagery, and tone.

TREC: https://www.trec.texas.gov/agency-information/rules-and-laws/trec-rules

5. Data Privacy & Security

As of July 1, 2024, the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act requires businesses operating in Texas to:

• Inform users about how their personal data is processed.

• Provide consumers the right to access, correct, or delete their personal data.

• Obtain consent before collecting or sharing “sensitive data.”

Small businesses may be exempt unless they sell sensitive data.

If your website collects personal information (e.g., via forms), ensure you have a clear, accessible privacy policy addressing these requirements.

Texas Attorney General: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/file-consumer-complaint/consumer-privacy-rights/texas-data-privacy-and-security-act
MetroTex Association: https://www.mymetrotex.com/new-data-privacy-law-will-apply-to-some-real-estate-businesses

6. Accessibility (ADA + Texas Standards)

TREC's website accessibility policy mandates compliance with Texas Administrative Code standards (Title 1, Part 10, Chapter 206). You should ensure your site is compatible with assistive technology and tested for accessibility.

TREC Website Policies: https://www.trec.texas.gov/website-policies