A real estate agency’s controversial Tenant of the Month award has sparked calls for renters to be treated with greater respect.
A franchisee of Ray White announced its latest winners of the award on social media, saying that for tenants to qualify for the award, “rent must always be paid on time”, a tenant’s “home must be well presented” and tenants must “be a pleasure to deal with”.
Tenants Union of NSW chief executive Leo Ross said the “arbitrary” incentive confused the relationship between tenants and agencies.
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“We pay tens of thousands of dollars a year in rent, we should expect a level of service and respect that reflects this, not an arbitrary determination of being a pleasure to deal with,” he said.
Renters agreed, writing on social media that the award program was “condescending” and “patronising”.
Ross said the union commonly received complaints that centred around a lack of respect for the tenant “as another person”.
“From failing to carry out repairs, breaches of privacy, to eviction rather than negotiating – the issue is that renters are treated as though they and their home does not matter,” he said.
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“Landlords and agents who treat people with respect, and practice open communication are also much less likely to fall into breaches of contract and dispute.”
Ray White has apologised for any offence caused by the social media post.
“The intention was to celebrate the positive relationships our offices have with their tenants but we understand the post may have been interpreted in a different light,” a spokesperson said.
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