Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) is calling on governments to introduce strategies in a bid to protect property managers ‘on the job’ as well as support those dealing with domestic violence.

REIA President, Adrian Kelly said a recent REIA survey released ahead of the now rescheduled National Women’s Summit found that 57% of property managers have experienced domestic violence in tenancies in the past 12 months.

“Some 30% of property managers said they dealt with domestic violence in tenancies two to three times a year.

“We are urging governments to address how property managers can gain support from local law enforcement and departments.

“Resources such as increased coaching and mentoring on how to deal with situations as they arise will be instrumental in keeping these workers safe,” he said.

Mr Kelly said 55% of the survey respondents believed toolkits would help in supporting their role with 50% selecting support from police or local Department and 43% choosing coaching to assist in dealing with DV.

“Toolkits for both property managers and tenants are the most useful area of support, in particular, for less experienced staff while coaching and mentoring would assist in awareness of rights and responsibilities, diffusion and even self-defense.

“Additional feedback from the survey highlighted a need for clarity of reporting obligations for property managers, consideration of inclusion of a ‘zero tolerance’ policy in both workplace and lease agreements, relevant physical protections and establishing a national database of violence tenants,” Mr Kelly said.

Mr Kelly added that State and Territory Institutes are already enormously active in family and domestic violence awareness activities with a range of toolkits, training and philanthropic activities in place, but these should continue and be supported by a National Plan.

“The survey will inform the next National Plan to reduce Violence against Women and their Children and seek to understand how Australia’s property managers are dealing and responding to domestic violence in tenancies,” he said.

“We all have a role to play in stamping out this deplorable activity and we are keen to support our hardworking property managers do exactly that in a safe way.” 

REIA Calls on Governments to help Property Managers stand up to domestic violence