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Texas

NTREIS: virtual staging rules

What NTREIS (Dallas-Fort Worth) requires before a virtually staged photo goes into a listing — the disclosure rule, the edits it permits, the edits it prohibits, and what happens when a listing gets it wrong.

From the NTREIS rulebook

Quoted from “Multiple Listing Service Rules and Regulations of North Texas Real Estate Information Systems, Inc.”, effective August 27, 2025; read by RELTO on September 27, 2026.

Listing photographs · § 7.30

NTREIS does not permit the name, phone number, e-mail address, or web address of the listing agent or other similar information that is not descriptive in nature and relevant to an accurate portrayal of the Listed Property to be placed in the Property Description section of a listing. The same restrictions are applicable to the “Property Photograph” section, the “Picture Description” section, and the Driving Directions section. Only a true current photograph of Listed Property may be placed in the “Property Photograph” section without decorative borders, other embellishments, or any digitally enhanced modifications that would misrepresent the true condition or appearance of the property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, only properties listed as incomplete construction may have a representative photo of the proposed house. A statement affirming that a representative photo is in use should be included in the “Photo Description” section of the listing information. Any alleged violation of this Rule will be subject to the enforcement procedures of Sections 11 and 12 of these Rules.

Media, and media containing text · § 7.29

As used in this section, “Media” means and includes all photos, virtual tours, and other renditions of Listed Property submitted electronically by a Participant or Subscriber. … Media submitted by a Participant or Subscriber may only be used for the specified purpose of displaying the Listed Property. NTREIS reserves the right to reject and/or remove from the MLS any Media intended for customer viewing only containing any text, personal advertising, or personal promotion of a Subscriber or Participant.

What the MLS accepts · § 7.28

Only photos/drawings of or maps to real property will be accepted in the MLS system.

Accuracy of listing information · § 7.12

All information concerning a Listed Property must be as accurate and complete in every detail as may be ascertainable by the Listing Participant. The Listing Participant shall verify and confirm the accuracy of all information furnished to Other Participants and the public.

Compensation in media · § 10.01

Inclusion of offers of compensation in text fields, media, or other means of indicating compensation are prohibited and subject to fines and/or other penalties. Repeated violations may result in suspension of MLS services.

Discipline · § 11.05

Discipline that may be imposed may only consist of one or more of the following: a. Letter of warning b. Letter of reprimand c. Attendance at MLS Orientation or other appropriate courses or seminars which the participant or subscriber can reasonably attend taking into consideration cost, location, and duration d. Appropriate, reasonable fine not to exceed $15,000 e. Suspension of MLS rights, privileges, and services for not less than thirty (30) days nor more than one (1) year f. Termination of MLS rights, privileges, and services with no right to reapply for a specified period not to exceed three (3) years.

Hearing after repeated administrative sanctions · § 11.05, Note 2

MLS participants and subscribers can receive no more than three (3) administrative sanctions in a calendar year before they are required to attend a hearing for their actions and potential violations of MLS rules, except that the MLS may allow more administrative sanctions for violations of listing information provided by participants and subscribers before requiring a hearing.

Administrative sanctions and the right to a hearing · § 12.02

If a violation is determined, the MLS Committee of the MLS Provider which considered the complaint may direct the imposition of an administrative sanction, provided the recipient of such sanction may request a hearing by the Professional Standards Committee of the MLS Provider where such recipient either holds membership or obtains MLS services, in accordance with the Bylaws of said MLS Provider within 20 days following receipt of such sanction.

Removal during an investigation · § 12.07

NTREIS reserves the right to remove, or authorize an MLS Provider to remove, any listing content, including text descriptions, photos, documents, or other media while a complaint regarding such content is under investigation.

Where the rules apply

The rulebook does not define its service area. NTREIS describes itself as serving “a coverage area exceeding 48,000 square miles in North Texas, including the Dallas Fort Worth Metropolitan Area and Northwest Louisiana,” with approximately 53,000 MLS subscribers of its 13 Shareholder REALTOR® Associations (About NTREIS, ntreis.net).

NTREIS FAQ

Does NTREIS require virtual staging to be disclosed?
The NTREIS rulebook (approved as amended August 27, 2025) does not mention virtual staging, AI, or a disclosure for staged photos. The rule that governs listing photos is § 7.30: only “a true current photograph of Listed Property” may be placed in the “Property Photograph” section, “without decorative borders, other embellishments, or any digitally enhanced modifications that would misrepresent the true condition or appearance of the property.” § 7.12 requires listing information to be “as accurate and complete in every detail as may be ascertainable by the Listing Participant.” The rulebook does not say whether virtually staged furniture is such a modification, so confirm with your MLS Provider before publishing staged photos.
Does NTREIS require a watermark or a “Virtually Staged” label on photos?
The rulebook sets no watermark, caption, or on-image label for staged photos. Its rules point the other way: § 7.29 lets NTREIS “reject and/or remove from the MLS any Media intended for customer viewing only containing any text,” and § 7.30 bars “decorative borders, other embellishments” in the “Property Photograph” section. The rulebook does not say whether a disclosure label counts, so confirm with your MLS Provider before adding text to a listing photo.
Does NTREIS require the original photo, or vacant photos first?
The rulebook does not require an unaltered original photo alongside a staged one, and it sets no photo order. The photo rule is § 7.30: only a true current photograph of the Listed Property may be placed in the “Property Photograph” section.
What photo edits does NTREIS prohibit?
Under § 7.30, “any digitally enhanced modifications that would misrepresent the true condition or appearance of the property,” as well as “decorative borders” and “other embellishments,” in the “Property Photograph” section. § 7.28 says “Only photos/drawings of or maps to real property will be accepted in the MLS system.” The rulebook does not list permitted edits.
Can NTREIS listing photos show a rendering of a house not yet built?
Only for properties listed as incomplete construction, which “may have a representative photo of the proposed house.” The listing should then state in the “Photo Description” section that a representative photo is in use (§ 7.30).
Can a listing photo on NTREIS carry a logo, branding, or agent contact details?
No for contact details: § 7.30 bars the listing agent’s “name, phone number, e-mail address, or web address” from the “Property Photograph” and “Picture Description” sections. For logos and other added text, § 7.29 lets NTREIS reject or remove media “containing any text, personal advertising, or personal promotion of a Subscriber or Participant.” § 10.01 also prohibits offers of compensation in media.
What is the fine for an NTREIS photo violation?
The rulebook publishes no fine schedule and no correction window for photo violations. § 7.30 sends alleged violations to the enforcement procedures of Sections 11 and 12. Discipline under § 11.05 ranges from a letter of warning to termination and may include an “Appropriate, reasonable fine not to exceed $15,000”. An administrative sanction can be appealed to a hearing within 20 days of receipt (§ 12.02), and a participant or subscriber can receive no more than three administrative sanctions in a calendar year before a hearing is required, though the MLS may allow more for listing-information violations (§ 11.05, Note 2). NTREIS may remove photos while a complaint about them is under investigation (§ 12.07).

State law that applies alongside the NTREIS rules: Texas.

Disclosure language you can copy

RELTO's recommended wording. What the NTREIS rulebook says about disclosure, including where it is silent, is quoted above.

In public remarks
One or more photo(s) was virtually staged.
Extended disclaimer
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.

Sources

Stage compliantly on NTREIS

RELTO's free tier watermarks every image automatically, and MLS-ready downloads on paid plans add the disclosure label. Free to start, no credit card.

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All states and boards·Virtual staging guide

Informational only — not legal advice. RELTO is a virtual-staging technology provider, not a law firm, and nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship. Board rules and enforcement practices change; confirm each rule with the board's current rulebook, your broker, and a licensed real-estate attorney before relying on it. Rule text above is quoted from the edition named with it; NTREIS may have amended it since.