Compliance guide for real estate professionals
Queensland has specific penalties under the Property Occupations Act 2014. The Office of Fair Trading enforces requirements for accurate property representations.
Up to $77,625 for false representations under Property Occupations Act. ACL penalties also apply.
Queensland's Office of Fair Trading expects dual disclosure: a written statement in your property description and a visual indicator on each staged image. Don't rely on one alone—buyers browse differently, and some may only see photos while others read descriptions.
Under the Property Occupations Act, any representation that could mislead a buyer about the property's true condition is prohibited. This means no removing walls, adding extensions, changing flooring, or altering gardens. Limit staging to moveable items only.
Original photographs should be recent (taken within the last 3 months) and reflect the property's actual condition. If seasonal changes significantly alter the property's appearance, consider updating both staged and unstaged photos.
Queensland properties often sell on lifestyle features like pools, patios, and gardens. Virtually staging outdoor furniture is fine, but don't add landscaping, remove neighboring properties from views, or alter the pool's appearance. Outdoor spaces are high-scrutiny areas.
Queensland's Property Occupations Act penalty of up to $77,625 is one of the highest state-specific fines in Australia. This applies to each false or misleading representation, meaning multiple non-compliant images could result in cumulative penalties.
"Images have been virtually staged to illustrate the property's potential. Furniture and décor shown are digitally rendered and are not included with the property. Please refer to the original photographs for an accurate representation of the property's current condition."
"This property features virtual staging to help you visualise its potential. The furniture shown is digitally added and not physically present. Book a viewing to see the actual space. #VirtualStaging #PropertyMarketing"
"This listing includes virtually staged photographs. Digital furniture and décor have been added to help you visualise the space. These items are not present in the physical property. Unstaged photographs are available upon request."
"VIRTUALLY STAGED – Furniture shown is digitally rendered"
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