According to the agent, a sharp rise in ice use in the past five years has caused real estate workers to become increasingly concerned by erratic renters.

The Wodonga agency recently sought guidance from police amid fears it was “just a matter of time” before a staff member was injured on the job.

Shane, who asked for his last name to be withheld, said he wanted staff to be “on the front foot” and across any issues they may encounter, including drug cultivation.

“We want to be prepared,” he said.

“We work with a lot of the emergency services.

“The information we received from the police was vital.”

Shane said ice had become a bigger problem in the past five years.

“It’s about staff being aware of the things that can happen,” he said.

“We’re thinking of safety and we’re also thinking of the community; we’re getting on the front foot.

“We chatted about ice and what it does to people, and how it gets manufactured.

“It covered the signs real estate agents need to be aware of.”

Police told staff members what to look for with drug labs and hydroponic setups and signs a tenant may be drug affected.

Shane said real estate agents occasionally found drug cultivation setups during inspections.

Detective Senior Constable Ray Causer met with the staff and was happy to share the information. 

“It’s always helpful to have the exchange of information between community groups and the police,” he said.

“There’s been an increase in incidents where police have located readily accessible drug paraphernalia.

“Police were giving information for the safety of the rental managers.

“It’s an exchange of information in relation to things to look for and look out for when entering premises they’re unfamiliar with.”

Senior Constable Causer said there had been an increase in people becoming aggressive while substance affected.

Real Estate Institute of Victoria chief executive Enzo Raimondo said the group worked closely with Victoria Police on issues including cannabis cultivation. 

Regular inspections were vital, he said. 

“Agents need to do thorough checks, background checks of rental applicants and monitor rental properties regularly where this may be an issue.”