Imagine what this tenant did to provoke a shocking ‘abusive’ rant from a real estate agent!
- Replies 27
Nowadays, a simple question can unexpectedly set off a chain reaction, especially when shared online.
Worse, at times, the query brings consequences—both pros and cons—that extend well beyond the initial click.
A real estate agent recently apologised after a conversation with a potential tenant went ‘popular’ on social media, with many users labelling the remarks as ‘abusive’.
Tim, renting a property, found out his landlord had hired a new agency, PRD Toowoomba.
Curious, he posted in a local online forum to inquire about their reputation.
The initial reactions from community members were favourable, with a particular agent named Mitchell Betheras even earning praise.
Unexpectedly, Betheras, a PRD Toowomba Senior Property Manager from the agency, responded from his personal account in a manner that many found unusual and inappropriate.
‘He was implying he was going to use his authority to kick me out of my property,’ Tim shared with Yahoo News Australia.
‘I fear for the safety of anybody who would have to be under Mitch’s property management.’
‘Tim, all you needed to do was contact our office. I'm the be-all and end-all in PRD property management. YOU were going to be my client, but your post made me rethink. I might have an opening... Let me think about it a bit more,’ Mr Betheras initially responded.
Tim promptly asked if his post was inappropriate, while Mr Betheras reiterated, stressing that his company doesn’t function ‘through social media’ and maintains ‘very strict tenant selection’.
‘Again if you're not happy with your rental, please vacate as there will be someone who will reside. Not everyone’s clearly as fussy as you,’ he added.
Another user stepped in to support Tim, telling the agent to ‘pull his head in’ and that his behaviour was ‘confrontational’ and ‘unprofessional’.
Following further exchanges, Mitch commented, ‘closet f*g,’ directed at the new member and told both him and Tim to ‘f**k off’.
Images of the conversation swiftly circulated on different social media platforms, garnering significant attention from the public.
Subsequently, individuals started engaging with Mitch’s online profiles, inquiring about his ‘abusive’ remarks.
‘Nobody goes through this low life check out this bulls**t. He threatens people of being kicked out for asking questions [sic],’ another posted to Mitch’s social media account.
‘Holy h**k! This idiot is surely going to lose his job. PRD is a big chain and I reckon his a** is grass once the big bosses get wind of this. So unprofessional!!’ a third said.
Toowoomba PRD’s John Bleakley chose not to discuss the incident when contacted; however, co-principal Kim Taylor informed that they are currently reviewing the matter and emphasised that their team ‘care about people’ and ‘don't want to do wrong by anyone’.
PRD Queensland’s main office also highlighted that the ‘comments made online recently by a staff member of the PRD Toowoomba office are serious and concerning’. It noted that the issue is being investigated.
Tim was surprised that his simple inquiry sparked such a reaction. He described the individual as flaunting power over his living situation and found the behaviour exceedingly unsuitable, especially on social media.
When approached, Mr Betheras issued an apology to Tim.
‘I am deeply sorry,’ he wrote, addressing Tim. ‘I want to express my apology. I truly thought you were having a go at me professionally and personally.’
Tim acknowledged the apology but mentioned that if Mr Betheras found his comments offensive, it raised questions about his professional conduct.
Prominent renters’ advocate and content creator Jordie van den Berg shared Tim’s sentiment.
‘There was no way the original query could have been construed as someone ‘having a go at him personally and professionally’ when the original poster probably didn't even know who the h**ll he was,’ he said.
‘He reached out to the poster afterwards asking them to help clear up his reputation, so personally, I believe he’s not concerned about doing the right thing.’
Members, how do you perceive the real estate’s behaviour and response to the tenant's question? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Worse, at times, the query brings consequences—both pros and cons—that extend well beyond the initial click.
A real estate agent recently apologised after a conversation with a potential tenant went ‘popular’ on social media, with many users labelling the remarks as ‘abusive’.
Tim, renting a property, found out his landlord had hired a new agency, PRD Toowoomba.
Curious, he posted in a local online forum to inquire about their reputation.
The initial reactions from community members were favourable, with a particular agent named Mitchell Betheras even earning praise.
Unexpectedly, Betheras, a PRD Toowomba Senior Property Manager from the agency, responded from his personal account in a manner that many found unusual and inappropriate.
‘He was implying he was going to use his authority to kick me out of my property,’ Tim shared with Yahoo News Australia.
‘I fear for the safety of anybody who would have to be under Mitch’s property management.’
Real estate agent Mitchell Betheras issued an apology following an inappropriate online rant directed at a tenant. Image source: Pixabay
‘Tim, all you needed to do was contact our office. I'm the be-all and end-all in PRD property management. YOU were going to be my client, but your post made me rethink. I might have an opening... Let me think about it a bit more,’ Mr Betheras initially responded.
Tim promptly asked if his post was inappropriate, while Mr Betheras reiterated, stressing that his company doesn’t function ‘through social media’ and maintains ‘very strict tenant selection’.
‘Again if you're not happy with your rental, please vacate as there will be someone who will reside. Not everyone’s clearly as fussy as you,’ he added.
Another user stepped in to support Tim, telling the agent to ‘pull his head in’ and that his behaviour was ‘confrontational’ and ‘unprofessional’.
Following further exchanges, Mitch commented, ‘closet f*g,’ directed at the new member and told both him and Tim to ‘f**k off’.
Images of the conversation swiftly circulated on different social media platforms, garnering significant attention from the public.
The tenant posed a straightforward question, but the situation escalated when estate agent Mitch Betheras responded (left). When another group member attempted to defend Tim, the agent resorted to using a slur (right). Image source: Facebook
Subsequently, individuals started engaging with Mitch’s online profiles, inquiring about his ‘abusive’ remarks.
‘Nobody goes through this low life check out this bulls**t. He threatens people of being kicked out for asking questions [sic],’ another posted to Mitch’s social media account.
‘Holy h**k! This idiot is surely going to lose his job. PRD is a big chain and I reckon his a** is grass once the big bosses get wind of this. So unprofessional!!’ a third said.
Toowoomba PRD’s John Bleakley chose not to discuss the incident when contacted; however, co-principal Kim Taylor informed that they are currently reviewing the matter and emphasised that their team ‘care about people’ and ‘don't want to do wrong by anyone’.
PRD Queensland’s main office also highlighted that the ‘comments made online recently by a staff member of the PRD Toowoomba office are serious and concerning’. It noted that the issue is being investigated.
Tim was surprised that his simple inquiry sparked such a reaction. He described the individual as flaunting power over his living situation and found the behaviour exceedingly unsuitable, especially on social media.
When approached, Mr Betheras issued an apology to Tim.
‘I am deeply sorry,’ he wrote, addressing Tim. ‘I want to express my apology. I truly thought you were having a go at me professionally and personally.’
Tim acknowledged the apology but mentioned that if Mr Betheras found his comments offensive, it raised questions about his professional conduct.
Prominent renters’ advocate and content creator Jordie van den Berg shared Tim’s sentiment.
‘There was no way the original query could have been construed as someone ‘having a go at him personally and professionally’ when the original poster probably didn't even know who the h**ll he was,’ he said.
‘He reached out to the poster afterwards asking them to help clear up his reputation, so personally, I believe he’s not concerned about doing the right thing.’
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