Zillow removes climate risk data from listings after MLS concerns

Zillow has begun removing climate risk data from listings on its site. The New York Times, which first reported the move, said Zillow began removing the data, which was provided by First Street Technology, in mid-November. 

According to The Times, Zillow removed the data after the California Regional MLS (CRMLS) questioned its accuracy. 

“The display of a probability of a specific home flooding this year, or in the next five years, can have a significant impact on the perceived desirability to purchase that property. When we saw entire neighborhoods with a prediction that there was a 50% probability of the home flooding this year, and a 99% probability of the home flooding in the next five years, in areas that have not flooded in the past 40 or 50 years, we grew very suspicious,” Art Carter, the CEO of CRMLS, wrote in an emailed statement. “Most of these predictions have been in place for almost five years, with no updates in the stated probabilities even though it is very clear that these future predictions ended up being very wrong.”

Carter noted that CRMLS reached out to all of the portals displaying this climate risk data, as both Redfin and Realtor.com display First Street data with listings, but that only “some” of the portals have decided to modify their displays. 

“CRMLS very much supports a buyer having access to timely and accurate information about environmental risks, so we continue to support the idea of retaining the overall risk scores with a link to the originating source so a consumer can get more detailed information presented in full context of all relevant data and with access to all the necessary disclaimers,” Carter wrote.

Data was harming sales

In addition to CRMLS, The Times noted that agents also complained to Zillow that the data was harming sales. 

Consumers made similar claims, including home sellers Andrew and Eri Uerkwitz, a married couple who sold their home in Chappaqua, New York, and filed a lawsuit against Zillow over the climate risk data in mid-October. The Uerkwitzes alleged that Zillow’s climate information, which flagged their property as an “extreme” flood risk property, caused their home to linger on the market and ultimately sell for a $100,000 loss. 

In an emailed statement, a Zillow spokesperson noted that consumers can now access climate risk assessments for properties through First Street’s website, linked directly from listings on Zillow. The spokesperson also noted that Zillow “remains committed to providing consumers with information that helps them make informed real estate decisions.”

“We updated our climate risk product experience to adhere to varying MLS requirements and maintain a consistent experience for all consumers,” the spokesperson wrote. “This update ensures consumers continue to have access to important information to help them consider factors such as insurance, repair costs and long-term homeownership planning, and reflects our long-standing commitment to empowering consumers with transparent information.” 

Zillow began including climate risk data on listings during the fall of 2024. The First Street data gave users insight into a property’s flood, wildfire, wind, heat and air quality risks. 

As of Tuesday morning, both Redfin and Realtor.com were still including First Street climate data on listings.