A survey of real estate agents in Melbourne has found refugees and migrants make excellent rental tenants.

The survey of 40 agents, carried out in suburbs that are home to large numbers of newly arrived people, found refugees and migrants were less likely to create issues for landlords and property agents than locally born renters.

They were respectful and took care of the properties they had leased, the survey found.

More than 90 per cent of agents surveyed said they would recommend refugees and migrants as prospective tenants.

The survey found that most agents agreed with the statement that “refugees were grateful to have a home, so they are respectful of the property”.

But refugees and migrants face barriers in renting home because they lack rental histories and some landlords are reticent to lease properties to newcomers.

Ray White Senior Client Manager in Noble Park and Springvale Lena Torus, who has been working with refugee families looking for housing, said that refugees and migrants made excellent tenants and often became homeowners and landlords themselves.

“The families have been so grateful and so respectful and getting them into their first homes in Australia has been really rewarding,” Lena said.

“I can see that when they go to sleep at night, they don’t have to worry about their safety or about their kids. Seeing the relief in their faces in unbelievable.

“One man invited me to his home for a Ramadan celebration to thank me for helping his family find a home,” she said.

Lena said Ray White now has Dari and Farsi speakers on staff to make it easier to communicate with clients and make the transition into their first home in Australia as easy as possible.

Lena told of her interaction with one client family.

“Recently, I had the honour of welcoming the lovely Ahmadi family to their new home. Like many others, they had fled the violence in Afghanistan, seeking safety and a fresh start in Australia,” she said.

“When they arrived at their new house, I could see the mix of relief and worry in their eyes. I guided them through the basics of their new home – how to use the appliances, where the nearest grocery stores were, and how to get around the neighbourhood.

“The children, initially shy, soon began exploring their new surroundings, their laughter a hopeful sign of new beginnings.

“Mr Ahmadi shared parts of their difficult journey, the daily fear they had endured, and their hopes for a new life here. His words touched me deeply, reminding me of my parents’ stories of strength and hope.

“My advice to landlords about housing refugees is that most renters are so gracious and humbled that you have opened up your home to them that they treat it with utmost respect. You will be part of their first memories of bringing up their family in Australia and they will cherish this for a lifetime,” Lena said.

Aiden Be-Hanna, an L J Hooker agent based in Craigieburn, said: “Refugees are humans like the rest of us and they are not here because they want to be. They have usually had to flee war or persecution and that doesn’t mean they are bad people, quite the opposite. I’ve been helping refugees get into homes and I find them easier to deal with than locals…”

Rita Gargano, a Ray White agent based in Hume-Whittlesea, said: “I have been dealing with refugee tenants for many years without any problems. But in the last few years with the tight market, owners and landlords have become more particular, especially when it comes to rental history or employment. But of course, people who have just arrived in Australia, might not have a rental history and it might take some time to get jo. But when they are given the opportunity, they make great tenants.” 

Robert Bella, a Barry Plant agent in Craigieburn, said: “I’ve been working with refugees for a long time, and I’ve had no problems. Refugees are generally grateful to be able to move into a home and they are good tenants. Sometimes it’s difficult for some landlords or owners to understand when they have no rental history, but when they are given an opportunity, they are great tenants”.

Refugee tenant Eshaq Yaqubi said he was grateful to have a secure home after years of uncertainty. He and his family are renting a home in Dandenong North and says he and his family feel safe and well supported since arriving in Australia.

As a government official Eshaq Yaqubi became a target for the Taliban when the Afghan Government fell to the extremist group in August 2021. After a two-year ordeal which saw Eshaq and his family hide in basements, sneak across the Pakistan border and languish in overcrowded refugee camps, they have resettled in Melbourne where they are rebuilding their lives.

“We are grateful to have our own home, my children feel safe and we are looking forward to the future. Having a stable home is important. It means we have security; it means our journey of displacement is over and it means we can plan for the future,” Eshaq said.

Eshaq is working in a local factory.