Landlord’s extraordinary request for new tenants

An Aussie renter thought all was going well with a new property they applied for, until they received a surprising request from the landlord.

An Aussie renter couldn’t believe the email they received after applying for a $650/week property in a coastal town in Victoria.

The renter submitted an application for a standard 12 month lease after inspecting the property. They explained the listing said 6-12 month leases were available.

All was going smoothly until they got an email back from the property manager days later with an unusual request.

The landlord wanted the tenant to move out for a few weeks over Christmas.

“He is looking for options for longer term residents, but also considering Airbnb as they want to use the house for a few weeks over the Christmas period,” the email read, which was shared on a Melbourne Reddit group on Wednesday.

“This would effectively mean you would need to move out for a few weeks over Christmas.”

The email an renter received after applying for a $650/week property in a coastal town in Victoria. Picture: Reddit

Another option was given: take a short-term lease.

Hundreds of comments expressed disbelief at the “absurd” and “greedy” request.

“The landlord can put you up in a 5 star suite for the 3 weeks over Christmas, pay for removalists, pay for a storage unit, pay for the move back in, and reimburse you for 2 months rent. Seems about fair,” one person wrote.

“My god. How is the greed and pathetic behaviour of this person! Unbelievable. You can’t actually have a holiday home and an investment property in one you twit,” said another.

“Charge them Airbnb rates to stay, couple of grand over Christmas sounds alright,” suggested a third.

Two people said they had heard of similar things happening on Victoria’s Bellarine and Surf Coast – popular destinations for tourists in summer – including only offering 10 month leases so landlords could get holiday rates over the peak period.