PHOTO: Real estate agent. FILE
An online backlash has erupted over a repulsive letter sent by a real estate agent to a tenant who was purportedly a few days late in paying their rent.
https://propertynoise.co.nz/au/dodgy-real-estate-agent-jailed-watch/
Screenshots of the offensive email, directed at a tenant residing in South Australia, were shared on the Facebook group “Don’t Rent Me.”
The subject line of the email read: “Do you need to call the removalist?” It continued, “Wow, it’s not looking good at all,” as reported by 7 News.
The email further highlighted the tenant’s overdue payment of five days and expressed hope that their lease would not be renewed. It also mentioned the availability of voluntary consent orders or a payment plan arrangement.
The tenant, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed their astonishment upon receiving the email, considering they had already reached out to the real estate agent to arrange a late payment.
Sending such an email was deemed highly inappropriate by the tenant, who remarked, “It’s just not right to send an email like this. I’m a bit gobsmacked; I had already organized the payment for this week. Talk about a slap in the face.”
It is worth noting that the tenant has since caught up on their payments and is now ahead.
The tenant received a strongly worded email about being in arrears. Picture: Don’t Rent Me/Facebook
The tenant said they had organised with their real estate agent to pay a few days late, but still received an automated email about being in arrears. Picture: Facebook
One commenter expressed their disapproval, stating, “Regardless of whether it’s automated, that’s absolutely disgusting.”
Another commenter highlighted the insensitivity of playing with people’s lives and emotions as if it were a game. They added, “God forbid they ever find themselves in a similar position.”
A third commenter shared their personal experience, revealing that they had received an email with identical wording when they were a few days behind on rent.
Carie Dawes, the tenancy services manager at Rent Right (SYC), acknowledged the valid concerns of tenants who received such emails. She described the language used as inappropriate.
Ms. Dawes emphasized the vulnerability of tenants due to the power dynamics at play. She noted that many tenants fear speaking out because they worry about lease non-renewal or being unable to find alternative housing.
“At the moment, we’re facing a crisis, and people are enduring various hardships,” she added.