Real estate agencies across Queensland are now using new safety measures, such as body cameras during house inspections, to handle the difficult relationship between renters and property managers. 

This move comes as low vacancy rates and soaring prices add to an already strained situation. According to reports, the state-wide vacancy rate rose slightly from 0.8% in December 2022 to 0.9% in March 2023.

Real Estate Agencies Sport Body Cameras

Adele Crocker, the Office Manager & Sales Agent at 360 Property Management Mackay, recently decided to equip her staff with body cameras. 

As News.com.au reports, this move followed an alarming incident where a tenant trapped a young woman inside a property during a routine inspection, sparking workplace safety discussions.

"Staff are of course very mindful of tenants' privacy during an inspection being carried out," Ms. Crocker reassured, underlining the agency's commitment to maintaining tenant privacy.

Privacy Concerns

The introduction of body cameras is not without its challenges and concerns. Legal experts and privacy advocates have weighed in on the issue

While the legal landscape surrounding the use of these cameras is intricate, a tenant's obligation to allow an agent to conduct an inspection is typically enshrined in the tenancy agreement.

Queensland's Privacy Act adds another layer of complexity to the situation. While individuals are generally allowed to capture images in public places, this right becomes less clear when dealing with private spaces such as bedrooms and bathrooms. 

The balance between tenant privacy and agent safety remains delicate, leaving agencies to navigate a legal gray area.

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More Businesses Follow Suit

However, the rise of tensions and conflicts is not limited to the real estate sector alone. 

ABC News reports that other industries are feeling the effects of rising costs and strained interactions. A tip shop in Mackay, for instance, has also taken the initiative to arm its staff with body-worn cameras to address incidents of abuse and hostility. 

The increase in such conflicts has been attributed to the pandemic's impact on the cost of living, resulting in tensions that boil over into customer-service interactions.

The Queensland government agency acknowledges the emergence of reports about real estate agents wearing cameras during inspections, although the practice is yet to become commonplace. 

Property managers are advised to provide written notice to tenants and gain their consent before utilizing such devices, reflecting a cautious approach to the technology's adoption.

As the housing crisis continues to grip various regions, including Mackay, with its alarmingly low rental vacancy rate, property managers and tenants strains are palpable. 

Adele Crocker's agency alone manages a mere 100 available properties in the region, a stark contrast to the thousand properties she was tasked with renting out at the beginning of her real estate career eight years ago.

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