Melbourne real estate agency Woodards Croydon sparks outrage after making ‘tone deaf’ request to a renter

An Australian renter has shared the ‘tone deaf’ email he received from his real estate agent asking him to donate his $300 energy rebate to his fundraiser.

The angry tenant from Melbourne shared the email from Woodards Croydon Rentals on Saturday.

The email detailed the agent’s plan to take part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, which raises money for rough sleepers, and asked tenants to donate.

The email further infuriated the tenant, highlighting the $300 energy rebate that every household in Australia will receive as money that could be donated.

The discount is not paid in cash, but is provided as a quarterly discount on the energy bill, paid directly to the provider.

The irate Melbourne renter shared the email from Woodards Croydon Rentals (pictured) on Saturday asking them to donate their $300 energy rebate

“I am contacting you with a sincere request to support my participation in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout 2024,” the broker wrote.

“As you may already know, this initiative is designed to raise awareness and raise critical funds to combat homelessness in our community.

‘With the recent announcement of the Federal Budget’s cost of living relief, which includes a $300 rebate on energy bills for all Australian households, I have been thinking about the privilege that many of us have and the opportunity to truly to make a difference.

“While this discount provides a welcome relief for many facing financial hardship, it is important to recognize that not everyone is fortunate enough to have a roof over their head.”

The agent then asked the tenants to ‘pay with me by donating your discount’.

“Imagine if a contribution of $300 could help move someone sleeping rough into accommodation services, giving them safety, support and hope for a better future,” they said.

‘Together we can make a tangible difference in the lives of those in need.

‘So if you are in a position to do so, I kindly ask you to consider making a donation to support this important cause. Thank you for your generosity and compassion.

“Let’s come together to create positive change and build a better future for our community.”

The $300 energy rebate was announced in the federal budget in May in response to the cost of living crisis.

From July 1, all households will automatically see a $300 credit applied to their electricity bills and one million small businesses will receive $325 off their bills.

Energy companies will apply $75 credits to each quarterly energy bill under the rebate scheme

The recipient of the email was baffled by the request and wondered why it was sent to the agency’s tenants instead of the landlords.

The agent then asked the tenants to ‘pay with me by donating your discount’ (stock photo of a homeless person on a park bench)

“My real estate wants me to give money so people can afford to live in a house,” they further wrote Reddit.

“The sheer audacity and tone-deaf requests that a tenant, not a property owner, be asked to give their money because real estate is unaffordable to other people.

“In this climate of unaffordable housing caused by real estate, this is a slap in the face.”

The tenant described the email as a “tone-deaf plea for money.”

‘How dare we give the farmers respite or handouts? We should ask them to donate that even if they themselves would be at risk of becoming homeless,” they said.

“Here’s a better idea: Keep housing affordable so people don’t become homeless in the first place.”

Woodards CEO Nigel O’Neil told Daily Mail Australia the agency has a long history of participating in the CEO Sleepout.

“Woodards has been participating in the CEO Sleepout since 2017 and since then we have raised just over $713,000, purchasing eight soup trucks and directly providing 921,347 meals to those in need,” he said.

“For the past two years we have been the number one fundraising team in Victoria and second nationally.

“In addition, a percentage of every Woodards sales commission and lease fee is donated to our Foundation, where it is distributed to organizations helping homeless Victorians.

“We are committed to providing housing and support to the most vulnerable members of our community.”

Speaking about why the email was sent to tenants, Mr O’Neil said: ‘This year, directors, employees and business partners have taken part in the CEO Sleepout for the past eight years.

‘Participants approach all contact persons for donations, as in this case.

“We understand that not everyone is in a position to donate, but if you can, it’s a great cause because everyone deserves the basic needs like shelter and food.”

Several commenters recommended that the tenant send the email to the head of the agency or a governing body, such as Consumer Affairs Victoria.

The agent then asked the tenants to “join me in paying by donating your discount,” a request that was labeled “tone deaf.”

‘Forward the email to the agency director and tell them you are not sure why you are receiving this email. Emphasize that you are concerned that someone has had their data hacked and ask if this is a scam,” one person wrote.

Another added: “Name and highlight the foolishness of it. ‘Isn’t it a mistake to ask people who don’t own homes to donate to people who don’t own homes? Shouldn’t this have been emailed to the people who own multiple houses?’.’

A third said: ‘Does the rental agreement, rental law or consumer law mention the use of your contact details for marketing? It may be worth contacting the tenants association or the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.”

Others said they should keep the cut for themselves and were surprised the broker mentioned the relief package.

“Your energy rebates are none of their damn business,” someone said.

“What a tone-deaf letter. I always try not to judge people, but I really struggle with real estate agents. So many slimy dicks in that industry,” wrote another.

‘They can leave immediately. How about they take some of their PROFITS to donate. Selfish, greedy bastards,” said another.