Landlord slammed for ‘obscene’ rental listing charging $590/w for 1 bedroom unit in Varsity Lakes

A landlord who listed a one bedroom unit to rent for $590 a week has come under fire for the ‘disgraceful’ advertisement. But that’s not the only detail that has left people furious.

An advertisement for a one bedroom Gold Coast unit charging $590 rent per week has been slammed as “obscene” and “appalling”.

The ad for the Varsity Lakes unit was posted to a Facebook private rentals community group on Monday and quickly attracted a flood of negative comments.

“Modern self-contained one bedroom unit with separate entrance, large patio and fully fenced yard,” the since deleted ad read.

“Available now for a clean and quiet single working person/student.

“Price: $590 per week includes water, electricity and unlimited high speed internet.

“DM for more information and photos.”

The listing before it was deleted from a Gold Coast rental group on Facebook.

Social media users were furious about the price being charged for the unit.

The ad also requested no smoking, pets or parties.

“This is horrible and a total gouge. You are part of the problem,” one woman wrote.

“Pool, gym etc? Any extra amenities to validate the price?” one woman questioned.

Another social media user said she was paying less than $590 a week for a three bedroom townhouse in Benowa.

“To charge someone $590 a week to live in a one bed unit ... is nothing short of disgraceful,” she said.

“I never comment on these sorts of posts, but this is obscene.”

Facebook users were furious about the price being charged for the rental.

Another woman added: “I agree. It’s actually appalling, simply by becoming a part of the problem and taking advantage of people in a horrifically challenging market.”

According to Budget Direct, the average rent charged for a one bedroom apartment on the Gold Coast outside the CBD is $395 per week.

One Facebook user's reaction to the advertisement.

It comes just days after a TikTok star blasted another Gold Coast landlord who was claimed to have converted a four-bedroom home into three separate apartments.

In a video posted online titled Real Estate with Rachel, TikToker Rachel McQueen shared screenshots she claimed came from a listing in Nerang.

It describes the home as being “professionally converted into three separate apartments for total independent living”.

TikTok star Rachel McQueen.

Ms McQueen described it as an example of the “sad state of the rental market” and titled the video as “things that should be illegal that apparently aren’t”.

She claimed the landlord was charging $450 for each “apartment” in the house.

But according to Gold Coast City Council, the practice is allowed under certain conditions after the state government’s recent changes to planning regulations.

Rachel McQueen has claimed a whole bathroom exists in the small translucent 'box' within another room. Picture: realestate.com.au

“As of December 2, 2022, the Queensland government made a change under the Planning (Rooming Accommodation) Amendment Regulation 2022 which allows the conversion of existing dwellings into small-scale rooming accommodation without requiring planning approval (through council) where certain requirements are met,” a council spokeswoman said.

The requirements include that the rooming accommodation not be separate dwellings and that each occupant must have the right to occupy one or more rooms of the dwelling and share other rooms or facilities.

The listing for the Nerang home. Picture: realestate.com.au

A Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) spokeswoman said it was unable to comment on individual cases.

She said the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 stated “dwellings must be fit to live in” and “must meet minimum housing standards”.

Real Estate Institute of Queensland CEO Antonia Mercorella said dual occupancy developments may require local Council planning approval depending on the criteria set by the property’s zoning, overlays, lot size and neighbourhood plans.

“Regardless, building approval needs to be obtained from a private building certifier who checks the minimum building requirements,” Ms Mercorella said.

“Despite the current rental crisis exacerbating demand for rental properties, it is not new or uncommon for property owners to turn properties into duplexes or units.

“As long as dual occupancy developments are compliant with local regulations, it allows much-needed residences to be added to the rental market which I think most people will agree is a win-win for both the property owner and tenant community.”

Originally published as Landlord slammed for ‘obscene’ rental listing charging $590/w for 1 bedroom unit in Varsity Lakes