The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 replaced the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 for commercial practices from April 6, 2025. It applies across the UK. Misleading actions and omissions are generally assessed by their likely effect on the average consumer's transactional decisions; omitting information required in an invitation to purchase is separately prohibited. No universal virtual-staging watermark or original-photo format was identified in the Act. Image labels and original-photo comparisons are recommended transparency measures, but cannot excuse an otherwise misleading advertisement. The CAP Code and applicable professional or redress-scheme requirements also apply. For 2026, use the DMCC Act and current CMA guidance when assessing material information. Propertymark reported the withdrawal of the former NTSELAT Parts A, B and C guidance in May 2025. The government's June 19, 2026 reform roadmap commits to new non-statutory property-listing guidance during 2026; that commitment is not itself a new law or a prescribed virtual-staging disclosure format. Residential estate agents throughout the UK must join an approved redress scheme. The statutory redress requirement for letting agents and property managers applies in England and Wales; Scotland has a separate statutory letting-agent framework, while Northern Ireland letting agents are not subject to the same mandatory scheme rule.
Informational guidance only. Requirements and MLS rules change; confirm the current rule with the regulator, board, or qualified legal counsel before publishing.
Choose your region for specific disclosure requirements, penalties, and best practices.
Start with your regional page and current board rules, then adapt these examples to the actual edits. Replace bracketed placeholders. Required wording, image placement, MLS fields, and original-photo access can differ; a country-level template is not sufficient for every listing.
“The identified images have been digitally altered with virtual furniture and décor. These items are not physically present. View the corresponding original, unaltered photographs at: [PUBLIC ORIGINAL-IMAGE LINK].”
“Digitally altered / virtually staged image. The furniture and décor shown were digitally added and are not physically present. View the original, unaltered image: [PUBLIC ORIGINAL-IMAGE LINK].”
“This photograph has been digitally altered with virtual furniture and décor. These items are not physically present. Compare the clearly identified original, unaltered image shown alongside it or at: [PUBLIC ORIGINAL-IMAGE LINK].”
“DIGITALLY ALTERED / VIRTUALLY STAGED – Original image: [PUBLIC URL OR QR CODE]”
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