‘False advertising’: Melbourne renter slams agents for ‘misleading’ photos

“I'm finding this at every single property I have viewed over the past three months … so much wasted time and effort and causing a massive amount of stress.”

An Aussie renter has vented their frustrations over the “false advertising” of real estate photos online, arguing the properties they’re inspecting look nothing like they do in real life.

The Melbourne resident had been trawling real estate websites for some time, hoping to find the perfect place to rent.

Scrolling through the images online, they thought they had found the perfect spot in Fitzroy. 

Then they visited it in person. 

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The difference is jarring. Source: Reddit

Renter slams real estate agents for ‘completely photoshopped’ property photos

The person took their frustrations to Reddit, sharing a series of photos of what they were expecting when visiting a property, only to be completely let down when they saw it in person. 

“Two properties in a row now,” they said in the post, explaining the property listed online has “a view and plenty of light.” 

Sure enough, the attached images from the property showed a bright and light-filled space with a stunning city view appearing out of the large window. 

Seems beautiful! Then you see the real thing.

Most of the place looks pretty much the same as the advertised image ... all except the view. 

Instead of an open and bright blue sky and faraway buildings, there is a block of flats set up directly opposite the window, blocking any form of potential sky to make a peep. 

“Go there in person and it’s completely blocked!” they wrote in anguish.

The second image offered the same outcome; a listing showed a spacious apartment space, complete with a generous-sized balcony overlooking a peaceful cityscape. 

The reality, however, was devastatingly bleak. 

The apartment’s balcony had no sky in sight, not even a sliver of sunlight, instead blocked completely by a wall that prevented anything else from peeping through. 

While the photos may have been taken before the neighbouring building was completed, it’s safe to say the potential renter was beyond disappointed when they showed up for the inspection. 

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Of course, it should come as no surprise that listing photos are subjected to plenty of photography tricks to make the property look its absolute best. 

But this Reddit user claims it’s gone too far, accusing the images of being “completely photoshopped” and arguing the listing was “false advertising.” 

“Should be illegal!” they exclaimed, adding they were disappointed to have to take time off work to visit the property, only to leave feeling like they got ripped off.

“Don’t mind looking around, but viewing times are in the middle of the day and wasted an hour taking off work,” they vented. 

According to Consumer Affairs Victoria, “It is an offence under state and federal law for an estate agent or agents' representative to mislead or deceive by their conduct or representations.” 

Such misrepresentations may include its size, price, location, future developments and fixtures or features. 

Listings that offer photos that “give the wrong impression of a property” are also considered a violation of state and federal law.

This includes any photos that are “accompanied by comments or other photographs that suggest a property has views or is close to amenities such as parks, beaches, schools, transport or recreational facilities.”

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The Melbourne resident was left feeling disappointed. Source: Reddit

“What happened to the view?”

People on Reddit were just as displeased by the images, arguing that it wasn’t the first time they’d seen such “false advertising.” 

“I'm finding this at just about every single property I have viewed over the past three months!” a disgruntled person wrote. 

“It is literally driving me insane...so much wasted time, effort and causing a massive amount of stress…”

“I've seen this a handful of times during inspections,” said another. 

“Time wasters!” a third wrote. “So stressful running across town to view a property in your lunch break for a 10-minute viewing with 50 other desperate people.”

Others suggested calling the agents out in person or reporting the listings to Consumer Affairs. 

“I would straight up say to their face ask, ‘What happened to the view?’” read a comment.  

"Next time, show them the listing whilst you are there - preferably in front of a large gathering of other potential renters and call them out [on] that s**t," advised another. 

Originally published as ‘False advertising’: Melbourne renter slams agents for ‘misleading’ photos