"Eviction season": Real estate slammed for callous Christmas email
A real estate agency has been forced to apologise after tenants were sent a callous email about paying their rent on time over the Christmas period.
The email, which is believed to be sent by Professionals Taylor Lakes in Melbourne, referred to the festive period as "eviction season", and encouraged renters to make timely payments to ensure "your living arrangements are not jeopardised over this festive period".
"Christmas is a fantastic time of year and also a very busy time," the email begins.
"Christmas time is also known in property circles as 'eviction season' as so many people choose to use their rental payments for Christmas spending instead of ensuring that their family accommodation remains top priority over this period.
"We see so many tenants fall behind in their rent and then get into the position where they are not able to catch up, as this is their biggest financial obligation."
The agency said it didn't want to be tasked with the "unfortunate job" of having to remove and evict them from their homes over Christmas.
"We find this action very unpleasant for everyone concerned and we all enjoy our Christmas much less because of it," it said.
"We urge you to pay careful attention and ensure that throughout December and January, you pay your rent on time, every time!"
The email was met with a wave of backlash online, with many calling the message "thoughtless" and "not professional".
"This is just appalling," Anti-Poverty Network SA wrote on Facebook.
Professionals chief executive Katherine Gonzalez-Cork said the email was brought to her attention on Wednesday morning, and offered an apology to the recipients.
"The email was distributed to tenants directly from the Taylors Lakes office and the content was not endorsed by me or the Board of Professionals and does not represent our company's expectations of communication with our property renters," she said.
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