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prospective tenant was taken aback when a real estate agent in Melbourne requested unusual documentation for their rental application. The agent asked for a virtual tour of the applicant's current home, to be sent via WhatsApp, along with three months' worth of bank statements and other financial information. This request has raised eyebrows among experts, who point out that it is not legally allowed to ask for daily banking details.

    The email from the leasing agent also listed other required documents, including a virtual tour of their current house, which some have deemed "sketchy." Tenants Victoria's chief executive, Jennifer Beveridge, advises renters to decline such requests. The organization notes that rental providers or their agents are not permitted to ask for credit card or bank statements containing daily transactions during an application.

    The incident comes as a bill on housing reform is set to return to the Victorian parliament, which includes measures to limit what agents can request in rental applications. Social media users have also weighed in on the matter, with some expressing concern about sharing personal information and others suggesting alternative ways for the agent to verify the applicant's identity.