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Tenants could do with a lot more tough love, according to a property manager who has garnered a rash of media attention of late for how she approaches her work.
Earlier this week Channel 7's Today Tonight television program ran the first of a series of episodes highlighting the 'no BS' approach of Hayley Marley-Duncan, principal and property manager at family-run Marley Duncan Real Estate in Gawler in Adelaide.
Since its release, the episode, which shows her shoving tenants, swearing at police and abusing the tribunal, has sparked debate within the industry.
But the woman at the centre of the controversy said she is loved by her landlords, and that tenants have got away with too much in the past.
“Everything is black and white with me; if a tenant does wrong by my landlord then they should be held accountable,” Ms Marley-Duncan told Residential Property Manager.
“Having said that, I am just as hard on my landlords if they do wrong by a tenant.
“I get the job done. At the end of the day, if that comes with a label, then whatever. My landlords love me.”
What do you think about Hayley Marley-Duncan’s actions towards tenants? Leave your comments below.
While landlords might love her, the reaction from the real estate industry is a little more mixed.
On social media group Australian Property Manager Community, one respondent said, “It’s how I really feel but would not behave like that. I think her aggression encourages more aggression from the tenants. Not really the smart way to operate.”
Another was less critical: “High five Hayley, she’s great. She deserves a pay rise.”
Another believes Ms Marley-Duncan’s actions could harm the reputation of property managers around Australia.
“I know she may think she is doing everything correctly and in the interest of her landlord clients and to them she might be simply doing her job. However, her conduct is most harmful to the reputation and standing of our industry in the eyes of the consumer,” they said.
Clare Verrall, senior recruitment consultant at Design & Build, believes Ms Marley-Duncan’s actions are never acceptable.
“I know property management can be a frustrating job but I think her behaviour is completely unacceptable,” she wrote on the Facebook page.
“Verbally abusing people, swearing and shoving tenants is not on, no matter what the situation is.
“People like her give PMs a bad name.”
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