Property manager sparks heated debate over tenants' fingerprints
A property management owner has sparked a debate after saying it is not a bad thing for tenants to be told to clean fingerprints off a mirror.
An Aussie property manager has incited a heated debate among tenants and owners after sharing a story about a property inspection.
The Perth woman shared online that some tenants [not hers] had been "upset" after receiving feedback from their property manager to "rectify" the fingerprints on the mirror sliding doors, despite believing their property was "presented beautifully".
"The property manager had mentioned the fingerprints on the mirrored sliding doors and said they need to be cleaned and rectified, and the tenant was very upset by that," property management business owner Shannon Welch explained on Tiktok.
"It got me thinking, I think we need to educate the tenants more to understand that it's not necessarily a bad thing that they've been asked to just remove those fingerprints from the mirror doors."
Welch goes on to explain that "turning it around" and making sure the tenant understands from the outset if there are small things given as feedback, that is "positive" because it means they are doing their "job correctly".
"One day, we want you to use us as your property manager when you have an investment property," she goes on to say.
Responses to the property manager
While the real estate professional argues this kind of attention to detail proves the property manager is reliable for owners, many strongly disagree.
"The only person who needs to be educated is property managers who cannot see they are very clearly overstepping their duties," one person responded. "Have you considered that mirrored doors perhaps aren't fit for use if you're going to nitpick fingermarks?"
"The inspection is to check for damage and maintenance. It is not a housekeeping inspection," said another.
Others believed the request was simple enough and agreed with the property manager's sentiment. "People get so pressed about being told they are dirty," one responded.
What does the law say about cleanliness?
Each jurisdiction has its legislation regarding renting a property, though all generally state that a tenant must keep it "reasonably" clean. For example:
NSW: The NSW Residential Tenancies Act 2010 states "a tenant must keep the residential premises in a reasonable state of cleanliness, having regard to the condition of the premises at the commencement of the tenancy". Fair Trading states the tenant is not responsible for "fair wear and tear" including scuffed floors, and traffic marks on the carpet.
WA: The Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (WA) states the "tenant shall keep the premises in a reasonable state of cleanliness. The Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety states landlords must "take into account normal use (fair wear and tear)".
QLD: The QLD Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 states "the tenant must keep the premises and inclusions clean, having regard to their condition at the start of the tenancy. The Residental Tenancies Authority states that "fair wear and tear" is what happens during normal use of the property.
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