Single mum confesses to putting 'mate' on rental application

"Just do what I do and get a good mate (who is a man) to go on the lease with you."  

The cost-of-living crisis and the rental crisis are both especially affecting the most vulnerable in our community - including single mums.

Online, there are countless comments and posts by single parents - usually mums - who are finding it harder than ever to secure accommodation for their families.

And some have them have suggested a 'sneaky' way around the prejudices against them thanks to single mum stereotypes. 

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"A rental is someone's investment"

When a single mum posted in a Facebook group that she needed rental advice, naturally her village answered the call.

"Why is it so hard to get a rental when you're a single mum?" she asked.

"I'm really struggling at the moment."

The top response read: "I'm no expert, but I would assume because your application wouldn’t look as strong as some others who are employed full time and have dual incomes [in the family].

"A rental is someone’s investment, so it makes sense they want a strong candidate in there. I hope you find something soon though. Must be very stressful."

Image: iStock

RELATED: Single mum rejected from rentals because she’s… a mum

"Just do what I do"

But there was one comment in particular that showed just how desperate many single mums are.

"Just do what I do and get a good mate (who is a man) to go on the lease with you."

Of course, lying on an official document is not ideal - and it's illegal, because it's fraud. That's why reactions to the advice were divided.

Some were of the opinion 'desperate times call for desperate measures', with one writing:

"Why is someone angry reacting to this? Unfortunately, this is what people are having to do to get rentals - have someone else on the lease.

"If a friend/relative is happy to put their name on a lease to help secure a home, then I see no issue. It's so hard."

Another mum agreed, writing, "Sounds like a good idea just to help you secure the rental. It's hard 'cos they aren’t letting people rent anything that is more than 30% of income."

Many acknowledged the risk of not telling the truth, and even a potential conflict with the information they may need to tell Centrelink; which is why some made the safer suggestion of honesty - albeit with some support.

"I asked my stepdad to be named as a guarantor," one mum shared. "He earns $2k a week and even though I won't ever ask him to pay, it made my application as a single mum much stronger."

"Just earn more money"

The discussion opened up another issue for single mums - their more limited capacity to earn a higher income when they have custody of young children.

It was suggested to the poster that she needs to accept that she should "Just earn more money", but many argued it's not that easy.

"Be realistic. Childcare costs money, and most of us can only work part time if our kids aren't in school yet," one parent responded.

"Even with Centrelink rent assistance, it's often simply not enough to get you that lease."

Read here for one single mum's personal experience of struggling to secure a rental home.

Originally published as Single mum confesses to putting 'mate' on rental application