Compliance

How to handle an opt-out request from a co-owner when texting

When one co-owner requests an opt-out from text messages, you must immediately cease texting all numbers associated with that property and its owners. Even if other co-owners have not opted out, a single request to stop texting means you can no longer send unsolicited messages to anyone linked to that property.

October 13, 2026 · 3 min read

One opt-out means stop for everyone at that property

If you receive an opt-out request from any individual associated with a property—whether he or she is the primary owner, a co-owner, or an heir—you must consider that property's file closed for outbound text messaging. It does not matter if you have other phone numbers for other co-owners who have not opted out.

The intent of an opt-out is to cease unsolicited communications regarding that specific property. Continuing to text other individuals about the same property, even if they haven't opted out themselves, could be seen as circumventing the original request and potentially lead to compliance issues. This is not legal advice; consult a legal professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Immediate action required: mark the record

As soon as an opt-out request comes in, mark that specific property record and all associated contact numbers in your CRM or tracking system as 'Do Not Contact' via text. This prevents any further automated or manual texts from being sent.

The speed of your response is critical. Delays in honoring opt-out requests can compound compliance problems. You need a clear, defined process for handling these requests instantly.

Confirm the opt-out (optional but good practice)

After marking the record, you may send a single, final confirmation text stating that you have received the opt-out request and will no longer send messages to that property. This confirms to the owner that his or her request has been honored.

Keep this confirmation text brief and factual. Do not try to re-engage, ask for a reason, or offer alternatives. The purpose is purely to confirm compliance. This is not legal advice; consult a legal professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Consider alternative contact methods (if permitted)

An opt-out from text messages does not necessarily mean an opt-out from all communication channels. If you have a phone number for a co-owner that is not on a Do Not Call list, you might still be able to call him or her, provided you have a permissible purpose.

However, proceed with caution. The safest approach is to consider an opt-out as a sign of disinterest in any unsolicited outreach for that property. Moving to a different channel might be perceived as aggressive. This is not legal advice; consult a legal professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Document everything

Maintain a clear record of when the opt-out request was received, from whom, and the date and time you marked the property as Do Not Contact. This documentation is your defense in case of any future disputes or inquiries.

Your tracking system should allow you to easily pull up this information for auditing purposes. Good record-keeping is a fundamental part of maintaining compliance. This is not legal advice; consult a legal professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Questions people ask

If one co-owner opts out, can I still text the other co-owner who didn't opt out?

No. A single opt-out request for a property means you should cease texting all contacts associated with that specific property to ensure compliance.

What if I get an opt-out from a wrong number?

If you receive an opt-out from a number that you believe is incorrect, still honor the request. Mark that specific number as opted out and remove it from your texting campaigns. Verify your skip trace data for future outreach.

Can I call a co-owner if one of them opted out of texts?

An opt-out from texts doesn't automatically mean you can't call. However, it's wise to proceed with extreme caution. If the co-owner is on a Do Not Call list, you cannot call. Otherwise, you might be able to, but consider the potential for annoyance. This is not legal advice.