Real Estate Institute chief executive Bindi Norwell says agents are given training on what to do when they encounter dodgy situations at properties. Concerns gang members were using empty properties for nefarious purposes has prompted warnings from police and real estate experts. Police were called to a Palmerston North property last month after a person thought they saw gang members using the vacant rental home. However, there were calls from time to time about people trespassing and damaging vacant properties in Manawatū, she said. Police advised securing homes with locks on the doors and windows, and putting security systems on vacant or rental properties.

Source: Stuff October 04, 2019 23:26 UTC