‘They’re held over a barrel’: in the overheated rental market, tenant vetting can go too far

A woman looks at a rental property with a realtor. The NSW Tenants’ Union says the amount of personal information being requested by real estate agents is ‘overkill’.
Photograph: byryo/Getty Images/iStockphoto

What is your marital status? Can you provide a police check? Do you own a lawnmower? These are some of the questions prospective tenants are being asked as they try to secure housing in the midst of Australia’s rental crisis.

Guardian Australia has seen several examples of rental application forms requesting police and credit checks – which can require applicants to spend at least $65 – merely to be considered eligible to apply for a property.