Locks ‘adorning’ Cremorne are a sign of much bigger problem, residents warn

Fed-up locals in an inner-city Melbourne suburb have issued a warning about keypad locks chained to objects in their area, suggesting they’re part of a bigger issue.

Over a dozen keypad locks are chained up across Cremorne streets, containing keys to Airbnbs in the area. Picture: Reddit

A row of keypad locks secured to a chain in one Melbourne inner southeast suburb has enraged locals who say the act is “ruining” the block.

In a post online, photos capture 13 key lockboxes shackled onto a pair of metal chains connected to wooden posts in Cremorne – 3km out from the CBD.

Meanwhile, three more locks are reportedly “adorning other street furniture nearby”.

It’s believed the miniature safes contain keys to some of the dozens of Airbnb apartments, homes and units available for temporary stays in the area.

There are over 100 short-term Airbnb rentals in Cremorne and its surrounding suburbs, which could set holiday makers back $1000 plus per week.

Meanwhile, those looking at staying for a month in the Melbourne area are on average up for an $11,000 bill, with the most costly properties charging a maximum of $25,000 a month.

Fully-furnished apartments are among the most common properties available on Airbnb’s website for the area, with many properties only a tram or train ride away from some of Melbourne’s renowned landmarks.

Over a dozen keypad locks are chained up across streets in Cremorne, Melbourne. Picture: Reddit

The locks are infuriating locals who say they're part of a much bigger problem. Picture: Reddit

But while some locals are concerned the locks are defacing Cremorne, others are suggesting they’re a sign of a much bigger problem contributing to the state’s housing affordability crisis.

“It’s not the sight of a short chain link fence covered in keypad locks, rather the fact that at the peak of a rental crisis … a large number of properties are listed as short stay accommodation that would otherwise be available as private rentals,” the person who shared the photos said.

“(Especially in) a suburb with a large number of rough sleepers, a sizeable population of low income earners in public housing and crisis accommodation, and escalating housing costs forcing many renters to vacate in search of more affordable housing in suburbs further away from where they work or study.”

The average price for an Airbnb in Melbourne shows those registering their property on the site are making more than landlords. Picture: Reddit

The concern comes as 55.2 per cent of renters face rental stress in Cremorne’s electorate of Melbourne, according to housing affordability advocacy group Everybody’s Home.

Meanwhile, the area’s vacancy rate is currently sitting at a low of 2.1 per cent, which is a significant drop from the 11.3 per cent vacancy rate the city saw in October 2020.

Finder money expert Rebecca Pike told 7NEWS.com.au short-term rentals are reducing the number of homes available for rent.

“Investors are putting their properties out for Airbnb, but it’s taking rental properties away from renters and that lack of … properties available to rent is driving demand and prices up,” she said.

Meanwhile, national spokesperson for Everybody’s Home, Maiy Azize, is urging landlords and property-owners looking to rent out their home, to consider “longer leases (and) more fixed prices where there aren’t rent increases” to ease pressure on struggling tenants.

“One of the most obvious and straightforward ways (landlords) can contribute to housing affordability (is by) keeping rents as low as they can,” she told news.com.au.

Some of the hundreds of properties available in the Cremorne area and its surrounding suburbs that are listed as Airbnbs. Picture: Airbnb

But as fed-up Cremorne residents consider “cutting the locks” to send a message, others are urging against it saying aside from Airbnb purposes, some locks have legitimate and important reasons for being there.

“Please don’t cut them, the state funded personal alarm service MEPACS installs lockboxes like this so if someone elderly has a fall, the district nurses/emergency services can access the property,” one comment read.

Another person suggested the locks may contain spare keys to owner-occupied properties who may not be allowed to store spare keys around their residence due to body corporate rules.

“My parents have a key lock like this out the front of their apartment. The body corporate wouldn’t let them put (it) on the wall, so it’s out the front on a chain,” they said.

“I have one at my house for my son to get in everyday (he loses keys). It’s just safer than getting yet another key cut for him to lose.”

Airbnb has been contacted for comment on the situation.