A Melbourne renter has called on real estate agents to offer tenants the option to be present during routine property inspections, saying inspections carried out when tenants are absent can feel intrusive and undermine residents' sense of safety.
Photographer Meagan told reporters she understood why agents carry out inspections to check the condition of a property, but said the practice often lacks respect for tenants' privacy and dignity. "The only thing that I really would like to ask is that, can there be a little bit more dignity around rental inspections?" she said.
Meagan said she receives emails informing her of inspection dates and that agents will let themselves in because they hold the keys. She said the invasiveness is exacerbated by having personal possessions and pets in the house. "I don't like the idea of someone walking through my home that I don't know, because it feels a little bit invasive," she said, adding that she and her husband have cats and a studio in the house.
She described past incidents in which a previous agent left the back door open and, on another occasion, returned from an inspection to find the front door unlocked. Meagan said she reported the incidents and the agent became more accommodating, allowing her to be home during subsequent inspections. With a new agent in place, she said she has had to re-explain her concerns and has not yet received a commitment that she may be present.
"This is, in all purposes, our home," Meagan said. "It may not be our house, but it's our home, and I would like a little bit more dignity around being given the option of being present when a complete stranger walks through the home."
The topic has resonated with other renters. Viewers of the story posted accounts of discomfort during inspections, including agents opening drawers and taking photographs of personal items. "It's a very uncomfortable feeling, not having our privacy," one commenter wrote. Another said being present eased anxiety when an agent gave off "horrible vibes."
Property managers who commented on the discussion acknowledged tenants' concerns and said many colleagues make efforts to accommodate requests for inspections at times that suit tenants. "As a property manager, you are allowed to ask for a certain time and they are meant to attempt to make that happen," one manager wrote. "Many of my tenants choose to be home while I do the inspection. We organise a time to suit. It's a fair request to make."
The exchange highlights tensions between landlords' and agents' rights to check a property's condition and renters' expectations of privacy and control in their homes. Meagan and other renters say the practical realities of living with pets and personal belongings make unsolicited access more distressing, and they are seeking clearer accommodation from agents.
Real estate inspections are a routine part of property management, and agents say they are necessary to identify maintenance needs and protect properties from damage. Tenants and property managers in the discussion offered differing experiences about how inspections are scheduled and conducted, with some agents reporting they routinely work with tenants to arrange mutually acceptable times and others prompting complaints when they do not.
Meagan said she is seeking consistency from her new agent and wants the option to be present during inspections to preserve privacy and a sense of safety in her rented home. The debate continues among renters and property professionals about how to balance inspection requirements with tenants' dignity and peace of mind.