Real estate agent highlights ‘devastating’ problem in Australia after routine inspection: ‘I’m upset’

A property manager has been branded ‘rare’ after raising concerns about a ‘nervous’ tenant during a routine inspection.

Deborah Gidman, from Western Australia, was left feeling “a bit upset” after noting the tenant acted anxious during the inspection despite living at the property for eight months and “never missing a rent payment”.

Deborah said it was the man’s first time renting and she ended up having a conversation with him to ease any doubts.

The experience highlighted the high anxiety and instability Australians feel about the rental market – and how many are unsure of their own housing situation.

‘It just upset me, to be honest. I want someone to feel happy and relaxed in their own home,’ she explained in a TikTok video.

‘I’m not there to judge, I’m not there to reprimand and I had to have a conversation with him about how he doesn’t need to worry as he’s doing a good job in the tenancy and there are no concerns from the landlord.’

In the video caption, Deborah also shared a message for all tenants.

“The house you live in is your home, enjoy it and don’t worry about your behavior in your home,” she wrote.

“As long as you maintain the property and pay the rent, all is well!”

Deborah, who is self-employed and has been in the industry for 14 years, told FEMAIL that raising questions with tenants can be a challenge, but she does it as needed.

When she first started, she wasn’t trained to host property inspections and had to learn the ropes herself.

At an inspection with another tenant, she commented on a pile of belongings on top of a dining table and they asked her: ‘How does it affect the property?’

‘This really resonated with me and I educated myself. I bring that with me to every inspection I make. Things like dirty dishes in the sink don’t affect a property,” she said.

“Although on the flip side, if the tenant hasn’t bothered to clean up at all, I think that’s pretty disrespectful.”

Deborah added that she previously rented for years but is now a homeowner.

Unfortunately, other tenants related to the fear associated with renting, resulting in an inability to feel stable – from rent increases to ‘unfair’ property managers or landlords.

“You’re extremely rare, thank you,” one commented, another said: “It’s great he’s found you to guide him through it.”

‘We are all afraid of losing a home. In this crisis there is no relaxation,’ wrote a third.

Another said: ‘Twenty years rent, still on edge. Never 100 percent comfortable.’

‘I still feel that way and I’ve been in this property for five years. Never missed a payment. We just never know what can happen,” added one more.

Another wrote: ‘I have been renting for years and inspections are very scary.. you feel like you are being judged.’

‘I don’t think any of us are feeling well at the moment. I have been renting for years and I have never felt more insecure and unstable than I do now. too much greed,” another pointed out.