‘Disgraceful’: Tent to rent offer condemned as illegal by Tenants’ Union’s Ben Bartl

A Hobart man’s attempt to rent out a tent in his backyard for $125 a week has been slammed as ‘disgraceful’ by the Tenants’ Union of Tasmania.

A Risdon Vale man’s move to rent out a tent in his backyard for $125 a week has been described as “disgraceful” and prompted the Tenants’ Union of Tasmania to lament the “desperate measures” some people are being forced to consider just to keep off the streets.

Speaking to the Sunday Tasmanian, Mark*, the man who advertised the tent in his backyard, defended his actions, saying he was only trying to help homeless people find a place to stay.

He said he had seven people living in his home and gave assistance to people who were sleeping rough.

A friend of Mark’s posted the offer of the tent rental on his behalf and it quickly generated significant backlash on the social media page where it was shared.

Tenants’ Union of Tasmania principal solicitor Ben Bartl said it was against the law to rent out a tent, shed, or caravan in the state.

“This is because all rental properties must meet minimum standards like having a toilet, a bathroom and an oven,” he said.

“But, the reason some renters are resorting to desperate measures is because there is simply not enough social housing for people who need it.”

The four man tent in a Risdon Vale backyard that has been advertised to rent for $125 per week for one person with no bills. Picture: supplied

There are currently 4700 outstanding applications on Tasmania’s social housing register and Mr Bartl said this number had increased by an average of an additional five people every week for the last five years.

“But more social housing is only part of the solution,” he said.

“Our tax systems need to be reviewed at a state and federal level so that investors are not incentivised to keep residential properties empty or to turn them into short-stay accommodation and so that older people are incentivised to downsize, freeing up larger homes for those that need them.”

Principal Solicitor Tenants Union Ben Bartl at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

Labor leader Dean Winter was scathing of Mark’s tent offer.

“What I’d say to people wanting to advertise like that is it’s disgraceful conduct. This is not the way that Tasmanians should be behaving,” he said.

“We shouldn’t be exploiting people who are desperate and ads like that have no place in Tasmania.”

Mark’s ad sparked debate among readers of the Mercury, with online commenters divided on the matter.

Kirsty Louise Cook said she currently lived at the property and leapt to Mark’s defence.

“No, he is not taking advantage of anyone here. He has helped me literally 11 times when things have gone downhill for me and has always [lent] an ear and a space,” she said.

Another commenter, Tahlia Butler, said Mark was “doing it wrong”.

“Would be completely acceptable if he popped it on Airbnb and called it a rustic backyard experience,” she said.

* The Mercury has chosen not to use Mark’s full name.

Originally published as ‘Disgraceful’: Tent to rent offer condemned as illegal by Tenants’ Union’s Ben Bartl