Creepy detail in $70 a week Melbourne rental listing
A listing for a Melbourne apartment has raised alarm bells after appearing online for the shockingly low price of $70 a week – but there is a very creepy catch.
A strange Melbourne listing for a $70 a week has raised alarm bells over a “creepy” detail included in the description.
The listing for the one bedroom CBD apartment, which was posted on classifieds site Locanto under the “rooms for rent” section, boasts “nice views” in a prime location near Southern Cross Station.
The description states it would be ideal for someone coming home from an international flight, interstate, or a person living out in the suburbs who doesn’t want to deal with the “long trip home after work”.
Better yet, the apartment is fully furnished, with the lister stating anyone wishing to stay would just need “you and your suitcase”.
All of this is on offer for just $10 a night, just as long as you don’t mind sharing a bed with a total stranger.
“The only catch is there is only one bed so we would need to share this,” the lister states.
“I am a 36yr old Australian man, professional job, decent and respectful of others, fit body.”
Anyone interested in this deal is encouraged by the lister to send him a message with a “brief introduction about you and your situation”.
The classified site where the man advertised his Melbourne apartment is not a traditional rental website and, while there do appear to be a number of genuine rental properties listed, there are also other current listings proposing shared bedrooms or requesting or gay flatmates.
With the current rental crisis continuing to worsen, there has been an increase in outrageous listings popping up online.
Recently a Sydney landlord shared a $300 per week room for rent that appeared to be nothing more than an enclosed balcony that has been hastily turned into a “bedroom”.
The listing was shared to the Inner West Buy, Sell and Give Away Facebook page earlier this month, with the landlord claiming there was room for “one boy only” to occupy the converted balcony.
“Man Private Room Sydney Cbd. 1 boy only /300/week,” the ad read.
“Quick response 04******** Please kindly send me your information”
Images of the balcony showed an enclosed, tiled space in Haymarket’s Miramar building in the Sydney CBD.
The large windows that usually look out onto the city skyline were covered with silver tarpaulin, while the glass sliding doors leading to the apartment proper were concealed by blue curtains.
A blue single mattress was squeezed into one corner, opposite a small desk and TV. Both walls were adorned with tropical-themed art.
The listing also included a bizarre makeshift application form, in which the landlord quizzed his “1 boy” future tenant on his nationality and what furniture he’d be attempting to squeeze into the space.
“Will you bring your own furniture, big electronic, bike? (Please list your item) Nationality:” he wrote.
When contacted by phone, the landlord answered several of news.com.au’s questions before refusing to speak further with a female journalist.
He said he had received “a lot of interest” and several calls about the property, though wouldn’t specify how many people had been in touch.
– with Chloe Whelan
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