Real estate agent's reaction to 'nervous' tenant reveals Aussie problem: 'I'm a bit upset'
'It’s a sign of how tenants are treated, and the insecurity and uncertainty that rental homes actually provide,' one person responded.
The heartwarming reaction from one Aussie property manager to a worried tenant, described as "rare" in the current rental market, has highlighted the anxiety and insecurity felt by renters across the country.
Deborah Gidman, a property manager in Western Australia, has recalled how distraught she was that a relatively new tenant was so "nervous" during his recent "routine" property inspection.
"I'm a little bit upset," she recalled in a candid video afterwards. "It's his first rental and he's quite nervous about the whole thing, even eight months in... It just upset me, to be honest, I want someone to feel happy in their own home," she said. "I’m not there to judge, I’m not there to reprimand, he’s doing a great job in the tenancy."
With rental property shortages causing strain across the country, and stories of real estate agents allegedly forcing people to live in sometimes dangerous conditions, many Aussies were quick to respond to say they too feel insecure and recognise the "lack of power" as a tenant.
Property manager admits she 'learned the hard way'
Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Deborah admitted that it can be tough when you have to raise an issue or problem with tenants, but made it clear she only does so if it's something that would damage or impact the property if left unchecked.
"People lead busy lives, they might have kids and leave dishes in the sink or toys on the floor but I'm not judging how you live," she said.
Deborah, who now works for herself, has been in the real estate industry for 14 years and admits she was not trained in performing rental inspections so had learned what to look out for "the hard way".
After her first inspection, Deborah says she had commented on a tenant leaving things piled on top of their dining table, to which they asked, "How does this impact the property?".
"This really resonated with me and I educated myself," she told Yahoo.
Tenants say current market means 'no rental feels secure'
While some online hailed Deborah as "extremely rare" and praised her kindness, plenty of Aussies revealed why they still feel so insecure in their homes — particularly at the moment.
"With the rental market the way it is at the moment, no rental feels secure... ever," one person said.
"It’s a sign of how tenants are treated and the insecurity and uncertainty that rental homes actually provide, as [renters] do not have any power," a second agreed.
"I have been renting for years and inspections are very intimidating... you feel like you’re being judged," a third person commented.
Shortages of rental properties ongoing
In Perth, the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA)'s CEO Cath Hart previously shared with Yahoo News Australia that a decrease in rentals combined with ongoing strong demand has seen the vacancy rate fall — with the number of properties advertised for rent the lowest since August 2022.
"Supply and demand are also putting upward pressure on rent prices. Perth’s median dwelling rent was $600 per week in December. This was 15.4 per cent higher than the same time last year," she said in January.
In February, Australia's overall vacancy rate reached a new record low of 0.7 per cent, according to Domain.
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