Tenants' union slams real estate agent's bizarre inspection request
Property managers around the country are overstepping their boundaries, says union boss.
A real estate agent has sparked an uproar after a tenant revealed the strange request he received after a routine inspection. Posting to Reddit, the user shared a snippet of an email sent by the agent that earned the ire of fellow renters and the Tenants' Union of NSW.
"Good afternoon," the agent's email begins. "Further to today's routine inspection, please note that there are a few things which need to be attended to. This includes: The bed needs to be made."
Reactions to the request ranged from outraged to amused, with some Redditors describing it as "ridiculous" and "disgusting". Another asked, "Did your mum conduct the inspection?", while someone else added, "Next thing you know, you'll be grounded."
Violation of privacy
Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Tenants' Union of NSW CEO Leo Patterson Ross says the agent's request is part of a worrying trend. "Renters can struggle to feel comfortable in their homes when real estate agents and landlords encroach on the right to privacy," Mr Ross said.
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"These comments illustrate an unfortunate mindset that has developed within the property industry that does not view a renter as entirely adult. This extends to overstepping personal boundaries and infantilising renters, in this case that the tenant was asked to make their bed."
"It also misunderstands the purpose of the inspection," Mr Ross explained. "The agent is primarily there to check for any needed maintenance or repairs, as well as check in on the performance of the tenancy agreement. Tenants are not required to make their bed to perform the tenancy contract - but a large amount of inspections come and go without needed repairs and maintenance being attended to."
Renters share outrageous requests
Meanwhile, other tenants shared their own odd experiences with real estate agents, with a recurring theme being property managers simply letting themselves in. "A couple years back my housemate had a quick nap while waiting for our inspection," one renter shared. "Hours passed and the agent never came. The next day we got an inspection report, much to our surprise. It read 'unable to complete inspection of room as tenant was asleep in bed' with a photo of my housemate napping in bed."
"The arrogance of some of these agents is astounding," another Redditor replied. "I've dealt with plenty of agents who don't seem to be able to understand that I'm not comfortable with them just letting themselves in. Like how about you give me the keys to your house so I can let myself myself in to criticise the dust on the windowsills, go through the drawers and take photos of your stuff when you're not home?"
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