Fury over huge queue for Sydney rental, but agent says landlord just a ‘real nice bloke’

Dozens of Sydneysiders lined up for a chance to inspect a dirt-cheap rental apartment. The agency has defended the decision to list the price $110 below average.

Sydney’s rental crisis has been summed up in one depressing photo showing dozens of people lining up to inspect a one-bedroom apartment in the city’s Inner West.

The Leichhardt apartment - complete with a balcony, internal laundry and access to swimming pool - drew in a massive crowd thanks to its dirt-cheap asking price of $500 a week.

The photo of the queue for the inspection on Sunday showed more than 40 people waiting outside as real estate agents appeared to collect details.

One of those people, a local with three months left on their own rental lease, snapped the photo and shared it to Reddit.

Real estate agency Hudson McHugh told news.com.au the owner was simply a “real nice bloke” who was happy to accept less than other landlords.

A queue at a rental inspection in Sydney’s Inner West. Picture: Reddit

The landlord was advised the average rent going to the market was $580 to $610 but he only wanted $500, the agency claimed.

“The owner has chosen to keep the rent below market rate as a personal preference,” property manager Elliott Kazzi told news.com.au.

“He is sensitive to the challenges renters face and prefers to maintain a lower rent. This has been his position even with existing tenancies over the years.

“It’s refreshing to see a landlord go against the perceived stereotype and prioritise affordability for tenants.”

According to realestate.com.au, the median rental price for all one bed units in Leichhardt based on listings between March 2024 and February 2025 was $550 per week.

Social media users seemed to agree the price was a good deal.

The one-bedroom apartment - complete with aircon, internal laundry and access to facilities - was listed for $500 per week and drew a massive crowd. Picture: Domain/ Hudson McHugh

“I moved into this building at the start of Covid for $500, I just moved out with rent at $680 – no wonder it’s got a line out the door,” one person wrote.

“This is my block!! It’s outrageously underpriced. $500 pw for a brand new apartment near a train station in Sydney is outrageous. We paid $600 previously for a s***hole in Glebe,” said another.

One person described the property as a “shoebox not an apartment”, while another said it was “a steal” for no roommates in Leichardt.

“I can see why it’s so popular. If I were a USyd student I’d love to take that unit if I could afford it,” someone else wrote.

Another asked: “What the hell, is the rental crisis back? Or it just never went away...”

“Tell me you’re not a renter without telling me you’re not a renter,” a user snapped back.

One person said in their experience the first three months of the year was the “absolute worst time” for finding a rental in suburbs near universities or public transport, and suggested the poster try to move at another time.