Queensland real estate agent slammed over ‘unhinged’ rant

A Queensland real estate agent has gone on an “unhinged” and homophobic rant following a simple question from a local renter.

A Queensland real estate agent has horrified locals after going on a Facebook rant, which ended with him using a homophobic slur, all because a tenant reached out asking for experiences from other renters.

Mitchell Betheras from PRD Real Estate Toowoomba has copped intense backlash and has been forced to apologise after he lashed out in a community Facebook group this week, calling another local an “a**hole” and asking whether they were a “f*g”.

The situation began with a person posting to the group asking whether any other members were renting through PRD and would be open to sharing their experiences as his landlord had just switched over to the agency.

Mitchell Betheras has come under fire after going on a wild rant following a question from a renter. Picture: Mitchell Betheras/Facebook

Mr Betheras responded telling the renter that all they needed to do was “contact our office”, with the agent claiming he was the “be all and end all in PRD property management”.

“YOU were going to be my client but your Facebook post made me reconsider,” he wrote.

“I may have room … let me consider a little further.”

The commenter, clearly confused at this response, asked whether there was something offensive in his post that had made Mr Betheras reply in such a manner.

The real estate agent claimed that posting on Facebook was not something the agencies tenants would do, claiming the business is not operated through the opinions of people on social media.

Mr Betheras then urged the tenant to vacate the property if they were not happy as there would be someone who would be happy to take their place.

This simple question from a local renter sparked a wild rant from the real estate agent. Picture: Facebook

“Not everyone’s clearly as fussy as you,” he said, prompting the renter to question his “name calling” and “bizarre behaviour”.

Another Toowoomba local then commented on the post branding Mr Betheras a “gutless coward” for “holding housing over someone’s head” purely because they asked for feedback from the public.

Mr Betheras appeared to be unbothered by this assessment, claiming that the commenter was giving him free publicity that he “already knew” he had.

Mr Betheras used a homophobic slur against one of the commenters. Picture: Facebook

“You think I am on my own and cannot defend myself, I can. But my mates will be by my side. U asshole,” he said.

The commenter then suggested they would be speaking with the owner of the real estate and “pulling” their properties as a result of Mr Betheras’ behaviour.

Shockingly, the real estate agent responded: “Are u a closet f*g?”

When contacted, Mr Betheras directed news.com.au to a comment he had made on the Facebook post apologising and said he did not have any further comment.

Mr Betheras apologised, claiming he thought people were ‘having a go’ at him. Picture: Facebook

He declined to comment further when contacted by news.com.au. Picture: Mitchell Betheras/Facebook

In the post, he said he was “deeply sorry” and claimed he “truly” thought the other commenters were “having a go at me professionally and personally”.

One of the commenters responded saying they forgave him, but questioned whether he could be trusted to act professional and be respectful when entering someone’s home.

“Can PRD trust you to represent their brand after calling people names, using homophobic language and telling people to f- off?” they asked.

“I think the answer is no. And for the safety of everyone you manage, it’s time for you to go.”

News.com.au has contacted PRD Real Estate Toowoomba for comment.

The interaction quickly gained attention after being shared on Reddit and by renter advocate, Jordie van den Berg, on Twitter.

Social media users have been left horrified by the agent’s comments, with one calling them “unhinged” and another branding them “revolting”.

“Damn, did he just call a tenant a ‘closet f*g’ on Facebook in public as a representative of a large Real Estate agency? Sounds like Mitch will no longer be the “be all and end all” of property management soon. Someone needs to tell Mitch it’s not 1985 anymore,” one person wrote.

“This is wild. That real estate agent really thinks a lot of themself and is completely revolting,” another said.

On the PRD website, Mr Betheras is praised for his “reputation for quality advice and service” that has helped him move up in the industry.

As part of his role, he is responsible for managing all aspects of a medium sized portfolio of residential properties, while also “generating new business and being responsible for the rentals trust account”.

“Having 14 plus year’s experience in Real Estate, Mitchell is an excellent choice when it comes to having someone manage your property as if it were his own,” the website claims.