SA substandard property register: The Adelaide houses you can rent for $5 a week

ACROSS SA are nearly 1400 houses in such poor condition they sit on a new register of substandard homes. Dozens are deemed unfit for habitation, with many having their rent capped at as little as $5 a week — and we’ve mapped them all.

• Shame file: The substandard property register

TENANTS can pay peppercorn rents as low as $5 as the state’s most uninhabitable properties are identified on a shame register and landlords ordered to cap charges.

In a State Government blitz on shoddy property owners, the Housing Safety Authority has published the locations of 1382 “substandard properties” which are subjected to huge rent reductions.

There are 55 homes so run-down they cannot be tenanted, with 23 others in such poor condition, weekly rent is capped at $5.

The shame file is the result of changes to 77-year-old legislation to control how private homes are rented.

Minister for Housing Zoe Bettison said the government made no apologies for the tough measures, which means hundreds of renters are paying less than $100 per week for rent.

She said serious safety breaches which led to injuries in rental properties, prompted the government to act.

“While houses might have met the standards of the day when built, over time they can deteriorate through a lack of maintenance or defective work,’’ she said.

“The law regulates unsafe and unsuitable housing and sets a minimum safety standard to ensure safe and healthy housing for all South Australians.’’

Ms Bettison said the online register had brought about a new era of greater transparency about where the worst properties were located.

This property at 21 Hocking Place in the city has its rent capped at $7 a week. Picture: Tait Schmaal

217 Sturt St in the city can’t be rented for more than $50 a week. Picture: Calum Robertson

Once on the list, landlords mostly then clean, repair or update the properties to make them up to standard and have the orders removed.

Some properties on the list were identified as substandard rentals years ago but are now occupied by owners who have no need to make the necessary repairs because the property is no longer on the rental market.

A spokesman for the Minister said they remained on the list to warn tradespeople and others that the address may not be safe to visit or work in.

While poorer areas have the bulk of those of the list, many are in some of the state’s most upmarket but older suburbs, with 13 in Parkside, 10 in North Adelaide, and Dulwich and Burnside even having one substandard property each.

THE WORST-AFFECTED SUBURBS

Uniting Communities spokesman Mark Henley said the welfare sector welcomed the new approach, and highlighted that some properties in Adelaide were not safe or fit to live in.

“This looks very encouraging because the reality is that the number of people who are forced to rent is growing, and appropriate standards of housing must apply to everyone,’’ he said.

“Substandard housing also often adds to costs of energy because of lost water, gas and inefficient electricity use so tenants lose twice.”

The most common reasons for homes failing inspections are; structural faults, mould, water and sewage leaks, fire safety, infestations, dangerous electrical faults, poisons and gas leaks.

The system works by inspectors acting on complaints, mainly from tenants, making recommendations to Ms Bettison, who then issues improvement orders to the owner, or demands the house be vacated and even demolished in the worst instances.

Because owners do not complain to authorities about their own properties, almost all of the properties were subject to complaints by tenants, workmen or neighbours.

Landlords have 14 days to appeal after being warned, and maximum rent charges are calculated based on the condition of the home, capital value, as well as market rents in the area.

The penalty for charging above the maximum is $2500.

To complain tenants should first talk to their landlord or property agent for repairs to be carried out, including giving a written notice.

16 Oakley St in the city has its rent capped at $100. Picture: Calum Robertson

85 Childers St in North Adelaide is capped at $40 a week. Picture: Tait Schmaal

Consumer and Business Services can also take complaints and the Housing Safety Authority has a report form at https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/housing/substandard-properties/substandard-properties.