An Australian renter has shared the “tone deaf” email he received from his real estate agent asking him to donate his $300 energy rebate to her fundraiser.
The angry Melbourne tenant shared the email from Woodards Croydon Rentals on Saturday.
The email detailed the agent’s plan to participate in Vinnies CEO Sleepout, which raises money for rough sleepers, and asked tenants to donate.
To further infuriate the tenant, the email highlighted the $300 energy rebate every household in Australia will receive as money that could be donated.
The rebate will not be given in cash, but will be offered as a quarterly discount on energy bills, paid directly to the supplier.
The furious Melbourne tenant shared the email from Woodards Croydon Rentals (pictured) on Saturday asking them to donate his $300 energy rebate.
“I am contacting you to wholeheartedly ask you to support my participation in the Vinnies 2024 CEO Sleepout,” the real estate agent wrote.
‘As you may already know, this initiative aims to raise awareness and raise crucial funds to combat homelessness in our community.
‘With the recent announcement of Federal Budget cost-of-living relief, including a $300 rebate on energy bills for all Australian households, I’ve been reflecting on the privilege many of us have and the opportunity to make a difference real.
“While this refund offers a welcome respite to many facing financial challenges, it is important to recognize that not everyone is fortunate enough to have a roof over their head.”
The agent then asked tenants to “join me in paying it forward by donating your refund.”
“Imagine, a contribution of $300 can help relocate someone sleeping rough into shelter services, giving them safety, support and hope for a better future,” they said.
‘Together we can make a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it.
‘So if you are in a position to do so, I ask you to consider making a donation to support this important cause. Thank you for your generosity and compassion.
“Let’s come together to create positive change and build a better future for our community.”
The $300 energy rebate was announced in the Federal Budget in May in response to the cost of living crisis.
Starting July 1, all households will see a $300 credit automatically applied to their electric bills and one million small businesses will receive $325 off their bills.
Energy companies will apply $75 credits to each quarterly energy bill under the rebate scheme
The recipient of the email was stunned by the request and asked why it was sent to the agency’s tenants instead of the owners.
The agent then asked tenants to “join me in paying it forward by donating your refund” (file image of a homeless person on a park bench)
‘My real estate wants ME to give money so people can afford to live in a house,’ they wrote in reddit.
‘Sheer audacity and tone deaf requests that a tenant, not the landlord, be asked to give up their money because the property is unaffordable for other people.
“In this climate of unaffordable housing caused by real estate, this is a slap in the face.”
The tenant described the email as a “deaf plea for money.”
“How dare farmers receive respite or help? We should ask them to donate it, even though they themselves could risk becoming homeless,” they said.
“Here’s a better idea: Keep housing affordable so people don’t become homeless.”
Woodards chief executive Nigel O’Neil told Daily Mail Australia the agency has a long history of involvement with CEO Sleepout.
“Woodards has been participating in CEO Sleepout since 2017 and since then we have raised just over $713,000, which has been used to purchase 8 soup vans and have directly provided 921,347 meals to people in need,” he said.
‘For the last two years we have been the number one fundraising team in Victoria and second nationally.
‘In addition, a percentage of every Woodards sales commission and every rental fee is donated to our Foundation, where it is distributed to organizations that help homeless Victorians.
“We are committed to helping provide housing and support to the most vulnerable members of our community.”
As to why the email was sent to tenants, Mr O’Neil said: “This year, like the last eight years, directors, employees and business partners have been participating in the CEO Sleepout.”
‘The participants go to all contacts to request donations, as in this case.
“We can appreciate that not everyone is in a position to donate, but if you can, it is a great cause, as everyone deserves to meet fundamental needs, such as shelter and food.”
Several commenters recommended that the tenant send the email to the agency director or a governing body, such as Consumer Affairs Victoria.
The agent then asked tenants to “join me in paying it forward by donating your refund”, a request that was criticized as “tone deaf”.
‘Forward the email to the agency director saying you are not sure why you are receiving this email. Emphasize that you’re worried someone has hacked your data and ask if this is a scam,” one wrote.
Another added: ‘Mention and highlight the silliness of the matter. ‘Surely it was a mistake to ask people who don’t own homes to donate to people who don’t own homes. Shouldn’t this have been emailed to people who own multiple homes?
A third said: ‘Was there any mention in the tenancy agreement, residential tenancies law or consumer law about using your contact details for marketing? It may be worth contacting your tenants union or the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Others said they needed to keep the refund and were surprised the real estate agent mentioned the relief package.
“Your energy refund is none of your business,” said one.
—What a deaf letter. I always try not to judge people, but I have a lot of difficulty with real estate agents. There are so many slimy assholes in that industry,” wrote another.
‘You can go to hell right away. How about taking a portion of your PROFITS to donate? Selfish, greedy bastards,” said another.
