Exeter Home's AI Makeover Triggers Online Controversy Over Property Listings
A three-bedroom semi-detached house in Exeter, described as being 'in need of modernisation', has become the centre of a heated debate after estate agents employed artificial intelligence to digitally erase years of accumulated clutter from its listing photographs. The property, priced at £420,000, was so overwhelmed with possessions that rooms were barely visible beneath mountains of belongings. Instead of undertaking a physical clear-out, the agents opted to use AI tools to replace the chaos with eerily empty interiors that exist only on screen, a move openly acknowledged in the Rightmove listing.
Backlash and Concerns Over Misleading Practices
The digital transformation has sparked significant backlash online, with critics accusing the agents of glossing over the home's true condition and potentially misleading prospective buyers. While traditional virtual staging typically involves adding furniture to empty spaces, there is a growing trend among estate agents to utilise AI for removing clutter and enhancing images to make properties appear more presentable. Experts have issued warnings that such practices could deceive buyers, leading to wasted time and disappointment during viewings.
Images from the Exeter listing quickly circulated on Reddit's Spotted on Rightmove forum, where users expressed incredulity. One commenter remarked on the laziness implied by not tidying up, while others criticised the quality of the AI alterations. The post garnered dozens of comments as armchair house-hunters dissected the uncanny pictures and discussed the broader implications of digital decluttering in property marketing.
The Rise of AI Tools in Estate Agency
AI tools targeted specifically at estate agents are becoming increasingly accessible, promising to brighten rooms, remove clutter, replace skies, and 'enhance' interiors for as little as £1.20 per image. Some services boast the ability to digitally deep-clean a home in mere minutes. The Exeter property boasts features such as three bedrooms, gas central heating, double glazing, a driveway for two cars, and a large rear garden, with its sales blurb highlighting a 'fantastic location' near parks, Waitrose, Heavitree Hospital, and schools.
However, this case is not isolated. Similar instances have emerged across the UK, including a property in Norwich where AI was used to add furniture and brighten rooms, though disclaimers noted the digital additions. Another listing in Wixams, Bedfordshire, explicitly stated that some photographs contained AI-generated furniture. In a more extreme example, a townhouse in Bouverie Place, west London, had its exterior enhanced with AI that also altered surrounding buildings, selling for £1.31 million—£310,000 above the asking price.
International Precedents and UK Regulatory Gaps
The use of AI in property marketing has already raised concerns overseas. In Australia, the New South Wales state government recently introduced legislation requiring estate agents to declare if AI has been used to enhance listings, following reports of tools being deployed to disguise damage or exaggerate room sizes. Currently, there is no equivalent requirement in the UK, leaving a regulatory gap that experts argue could undermine consumer trust.
Babek Ismayil, founder of property business OneDome, emphasised the importance of responsible use, stating that if AI starts adding or removing key features like fireplaces or windows, buyers may feel misled. Marion Ellis, a chartered surveyor with Love Surveying, warned that overzealous staging could breach trading standards regulations, urging transparency from agents to maintain trust in the sales process.
Potential Pitfalls and Hilarious Errors
Not all AI enhancements go smoothly. There have been humorous mishaps, such as a house in Higham-On-The-Hill, Leicestershire, where the ceiling morphed into a perfectly blue sky in the listing, and another in Audenshaw, Greater Manchester, that appeared to have no roof. These errors highlight the limitations of AI technology and the risks of relying too heavily on digital alterations.
Sam Richardson, deputy editor of Which? Money, advised buyers and renters to view properties in person to avoid disappointment, stressing the importance of physical inspections and surveys. As AI continues to evolve, the debate over its role in estate agency is likely to intensify, with calls for clearer disclaimers and ethical guidelines to protect consumers in the competitive housing market.
