Qld rental crisis: First-hand look at accommodation Hunger Games

Trying to secure a rental in Brisbane’s inner city for under $450 was truly a miserable and deflating experience, writes Rose Innes. WATCH THE VIDEO

This week I decided to hit the streets to find out first-hand the state of Brisbane’s rental crisis.

Spoiler alert! It is truly akin to the Hunger Games.

It turns out, I was attempting the seemingly impossible – landing a rental in Brisbane’s inner city for under $450 a week. The experience was seriously deflating.

I looked at about 50 rentals online, and of those chose five inspections to attend.

My miserable journey stopped before it had even begun when two of the properties – both in Highgate Hill – were leased the day before I had even had a chance to attend an inspection.

I had registered for second viewings, but agents told me both were leased on the first inspection after overwhelming interest.

Despite the minor setback, I persevered and tried to stay positive.

My first viewing, a tiny one-bedroom apartment in Kangaroo Point which featured great views of the river and a large bedroom, though the mouldy bathroom with paint peeling from the ceiling was a bit of a turn off.

Unfortunately I overheard the agent telling another couple if they applied they would be approved.

Next on my list turned out to be a dust filled, dank smelling, cramped one-bedroom apartment in Chinatown in Fortitude Valley. Even the agent seemed surprised that 15 groups attend in the middle of a weekday.

There was no parking with this one, so lucky I don’t own a car.

Finally, the one that got away.

At Petrie Terrace on a street lined with quaint cottages, was a small but homely flat in brick apartment block with a pool, renting for $410 a week.

It was made less homely by the 35 other groups attending and there were 15 more still to attend, according to the leasing agent.

As I write this, I’m still waiting to hear back about the success or failure of my applications. But this whole experience has made me thankful that I am currently living with family and that maybe that’s a far better alternative than joining the renter hunger games.