https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/01/zillow-removes-climate-risk-data-home-listings
By Oliver Milman
Site removes feature after real estate agents and some homeowners say scores appear arbitrary and hurt sales
Zillow, the US’s largest real estate listing site, has removed a feature that allowed people to view a property’s exposure to the climate crisis, following complaints from the industry and some homeowners that it was hurting sales.
In September last year, the online real estate marketplace introduced a tool showing the individual risk of wildfire, flood, extreme heat, wind and poor air quality for 1m properties it lists, explaining that “climate risks are now a critical factor in home-buying decisions” for many Americans.
But Zillow has now deleted this climate index after complaints from real estate agents and some homeowners that the rankings appeared arbitrary, could not be challenged and harmed house sales. The complaints included those from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service, which oversees a database of property data that Zillow relies upon.
Zillow said it remains committed to help Americans make informed decisions about properties, with listings now containing outbound links to the website of First Street, the non-profit climate risk quantifier that had provided the on-site tool to Zillow.
Matthew Eby, founder and chief executive of First Street, said that removing the climate risk information means that many buyers will be “flying blind” in an era when worsening impacts of extreme weather are warping the real estate market in the US.
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