Is virtual staging allowed in Quebec?
Yes — with disclosure, and with one thing the rest of Canada doesn't require: your disclosure should be in French. Quebec brokers work under the Real Estate Brokerage Act, overseen by the OACIQ (Organisme d'autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec), and nothing there bans virtual staging. What it bans is advertising that misleads — and, separately, Quebec's language laws mean your marketing has to work in French.
The rule that governs it
Under the Regulation respecting brokerage requirements and advertising, a broker's advertising cannot be "false, misleading or incomplete, or leave out a material fact." OACIQ's advertising guideline goes further, requiring advertising to be "truthful, verifiable, complete, clear and understandable."
OACIQ hasn't published a rule that names virtual staging specifically. It doesn't need to — a staged photo that leaves a buyer with a false impression of the property is already caught by the "not misleading" standard, exactly as it is in every other province.
The Quebec-specific part: French disclosure
Because of Quebec's French-language requirements, the label and disclosure you put on staged images should be in French, or in both languages. The standard wording:
"Mise en scène virtuelle" (virtual staging) or "Images numériquement modifiées" (digitally modified images) — on the photo and in the listing description.
That's the one operational difference from listing in Ontario or BC. Everything else is the same principle.
What to do — the Quebec checklist
1. Stage the room you have. Furniture and décor only — never alter walls, windows, flooring or the view.
2. Label in French. "Mise en scène virtuelle" on the image and in the remarks.
3. Keep the unstaged original of every room and make it available.
4. Tell your seller before the listing goes live.
FAQ
Do I have to disclose virtual staging in Quebec?
Yes. OACIQ's advertising rules require truthful, non-misleading advertising, so virtually staged photos must be identified as staged wherever the listing appears.
Does the disclosure have to be in French?
Quebec's language laws mean your marketing materials should be in French, so the safe approach is to label staged photos "Mise en scène virtuelle" (or in both French and English).
Has OACIQ banned AI virtual staging?
No. There's no OACIQ ban. The general "not false or misleading" advertising standard applies — disclosed staging that doesn't misrepresent the property is allowed.
What can't I change in a Quebec listing photo?
Anything structural — walls, windows, flooring, the view. Altering permanent features misrepresents the property and breaches the advertising rules.
Staging that keeps you onside in every province
VirtuallyStage furnishes the real room and keeps your original photo, so disclosing — in French or English — is effortless. Built by a licensed GTA agent for real listings.
$35 USD for 5 photos, no subscription.
Information, not legal advice — confirm current rules with OACIQ. Last verified: July 16, 2026.
