If you thought the rental market couldn’t get any tougher, think again. A recent listing for a ‘fabulous’ two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment in the picturesque Nelson Bay has left would-be tenants gobsmacked—and not in a good way.
While the $380 per week price tag and ocean views might sound tempting, it’s the fine print that’s really making waves.
Buried in the listing is a clause that’s raising eyebrows across the country: the tenant must vacate the property for about 15 per cent of the time—roughly 30 days over six months—so the landlord can pop in for a seaside escape whenever she fancies.
It’s not just any day, either. The landlord wants the place to herself mainly on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. In other words, just when you might want to enjoy a relaxing weekend at home, you’ll be packing your bags.
The ad, posted on Flatmates.com.au, makes it clear: the apartment is only available for the ‘right person,’ and the landlord expects it to be left in ‘great to come home condition’ for her own visits. Oh, and did we mention? The $380 weekly rent doesn’t include bills, and you’ll need to commit to at least a three-month stay.
It didn’t take long for the listing to go viral, with renters venting their frustration online. One Reddit user shared, ‘Apparently the last tenant was a single mum. The owner would ring her mid-week and tell her she had to be out the next day for four days at a time.’
Another quipped, ‘Cool, I’ll happily pay 85 per cent of the rent too then.’
Others wondered where tenants were supposed to go when ordered out: ‘No idea where they expect you to disappear off to every weekend.’
Despite the backlash, some believe the landlord will still find a taker. ‘Accommodation is stupidly scarce at the bay. I’ve no doubt this person will get someone to agree to this,’ one commenter wrote. It’s a sad reflection of just how desperate the rental market has become.
This isn’t just a one-off case of a cheeky landlord pushing the boundaries. According to the Real Estate Institute of NSW (REINSW), rental availability in the state is at ‘crisis level’. Vacancy rates are at historic lows, and rents are climbing ever higher.
REINSW chief executive Tim McKibbin summed it up: ‘Month after month, the story remains the same—rental availability is at crisis levels, stock is diminishing, and rents are increasing.’
Regional areas like Nelson Bay are feeling the pinch even more, with vacancy rates dropping further in recent months. For many, the dream of a coastal lifestyle is slipping out of reach.
This listing has sparked a wider conversation about what’s considered fair and acceptable in rental agreements. While opinions may differ, it underscores the importance of reading the fine print and understanding tenant rights.
What do you think about arrangements like these? Have you encountered any unusual lease conditions or rental arrangements? Feel free to share your experiences or thoughts in the comments below.
Also read: Millions of Australians are falling victim to this rental trend—will you be one of them?
Well, she can stay and live with me and use the second bedroom for herself. I will do the cooking and housework and rent her other home to a family in need.