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Virtual Staging in Northwest Territories

Compliance guide for real estate professionals

Allowed with Disclosure

Real estate agents in Northwest Territories are licensed by the Government of Northwest Territories (Department of Municipal and Community Affairs) under the Real Estate Agents' Licensing Act. Section 18(c) of the Act prohibits agents and salespersons from making, publishing, advertising or distributing any misrepresentation respecting a trade. Although the government and the Northwest Territories Association of REALTORS® (NWTAR) have not published specific virtual staging guidance, the prohibition on misrepresentation would apply to virtual staging that misleads buyers.

⚠️Potential Penalties in Northwest Territories

Under Section 18 of the Act, the superintendent may suspend or cancel the licence of an agent or salesperson who makes, publishes, advertises or distributes any misrepresentation respecting a trade.

How to Stay Compliant

Clearly disclose all virtual staging

Add written disclosure to your MLS listing description and all marketing materials stating that virtual staging has been used. Include this in the first line of your public remarks.

Tip: NWT's remote market means buyers often rely entirely on online materials—clear disclosure helps build trust when in-person viewings may be difficult to arrange.

Apply watermarks to staged images

Watermark each virtually staged photograph with 'Virtually Staged' text. This ensures disclosure travels with the image if shared or downloaded.

Tip: Given the limited real estate inventory in NWT communities, each listing receives significant attention—ensure transparency is visible at every touchpoint.

Provide original unstaged photographs

Include original, unstaged photographs in your listing gallery alongside virtually staged images. Side-by-side presentation shows buyers both current condition and potential.

Tip: Arrange photos so original and staged versions appear consecutively, making side-by-side comparison easy for buyers who may be purchasing remotely.

Avoid misleading alterations

Do not digitally remove defects, alter structural elements, or modify anything that would misrepresent the property's actual condition. Virtual staging should only add furniture/decor.

Tip: In NWT's unique housing market with properties ranging from modern condos to remote cabins, accurate representation of actual property condition is especially important.

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Disclosure Templates

— Copy-ready for Canada

MLS Listing

"Images have been virtually staged to illustrate the property's potential. Furniture and decor 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."

Social Media

"This home features virtual staging to help you visualize its potential. The furniture shown is digitally added and not physically present. Schedule a showing to see the actual space. #VirtualStaging #RealEstate"

Property Website

"This listing includes virtually staged photographs. Digital furniture and decor have been added to help you visualize the space. These items are not present in the physical property. Original photographs are available upon request."

Image Watermark

"VIRTUALLY STAGED – Furniture shown is digitally rendered"

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Sources & References

→Real Estate Agents' Licensing Act

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