Australians are outraged: This $350 apartment's 'unacceptable' detail will disgust you

We understand the importance of comfortable and dignified living, especially as we age. A home is not just a shelter but a sanctuary, a place to relax and feel at ease.

However, a rental property has recently sparked a wave of disgust and outrage among Australians. The studio apartment, which costs $350 weekly, has been criticised for failing to meet the most basic standards of hygiene and privacy.

The property’s condition and design have left many questioning whether it’s acceptable for renters to endure such poor living standards in an area that offers modern conveniences and comfort.


Building inspector Russell McCarthy didn't mince words when he spoke about the studio apartment.

He said he could 'tear it apart limb for limb' due to its blatant disregard for the National Construction Codes.

These codes ensure that properties provide adequate privacy, ventilation, and means to expel foul air.


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A rental property in Perth was criticised for having a toilet in the middle of the studio apartment, across from the fridge, failing to meet building hygiene requirements. Credit: Reddit


McCarthy's assessment was clear: this apartment failed on all counts.

The online listing for this apartment quickly attracted heavy criticism, and rightfully so.

Celsius Property Group, the listing agency based in East Victoria Park, has since confirmed that the property has been withdrawn from the rental market.


It's understood that the owners are now undertaking renovations to bring the property up to code.

McCarthy expressed his bewilderment, noting that the apartment appeared modern and new, which would typically mean it should comply with current regulations.

'It insults the general consumer,' he said.

'When I'm looking at this property, it looks relatively modern. It looks relatively new, and therefore, it would have to comply with modern regulations; it's not a heritage system, and the council wouldn't accept that [either].'

The reaction on social media was swift and scathing. Some Australians joked about the convenience of watching your microwave meal cook while seated on the toilet.

In contrast, others lamented the grim state of the rental market, comparing the apartment to a 'prison cell.'


This comparison isn't far-fetched, considering another similarly dismal Sydney rental that made headlines in June 2023.

McCarthy advised anyone encountering such a property to report it immediately to the local council.

This is not just a matter of poor taste or inconvenience; it's a legal issue that affects residents' well-being.

The broader context of this incident is the state of the construction industry in Western Australia, which McCarthy has previously described as a 'Wild West.'

The lack of an independent regulator has resulted in homeowners frequently dealing with subpar construction work.

Those employed by builders often carry out compliance checks, and renovations require no checks at all, leading to widespread corner-cutting.


In his five years of inspections, McCarthy has yet to find a new build utterly free of defects.

This is a sobering reminder of the vigilance required when searching for a rental property, especially for seniors who deserve peace of mind in their living arrangements.

At the Seniors Discount Club, we urge our members to thoroughly inspect potential homes and not hesitate to raise concerns with local authorities if something seems amiss.

Your comfort, safety, and dignity should never be compromised, especially in your home.
Key Takeaways
  • A rental property in Perth was criticised for having a toilet in the middle of the studio apartment, across from the fridge, which does not meet building hygiene requirements.
  • Building inspector Russell McCarthy suggested that the property failed to comply with National Construction Codes, particularly regarding privacy, ventilation, and expelling foul air requirements.
  • After receiving heavy criticism online, the listing agency, Celsius Property Group, removed the property from the rental market, and the owners are undertaking renovations to comply with building codes.
  • Western Australia's construction industry has been referred to by McCarthy as a 'wild west' due to a lack of independent regulation, leading to widespread corner-cutting and defects in new buildings.
Have you encountered any rental properties that have left you shocked or disappointed? Please share your experiences with us in the comments below. Your stories can help raise awareness and protect others from similar situations.
 

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It's outrageous to think that a property developer could advertise that for rent at $350 per week. Thank God that it has been removed from the market and that renovations are being made, hopefully to a standard and price that is more realistic for people to live in.....Celsius Property Group should be ashamed of themselves for being in control of the listing.:mad:
 
I remember when I was looking for somewhere to live in Devonport I was happy to find an :apartment/unit/whatever, It was half a house and opposite Kmart, Coles and Woolies and just down the road from my mum, and only $100 a week! Just 1 bedroom, which I wanted, thought I'd hit the jackpot, HAHAHA....until I walked thru with the real estate agent. My face dropped. The toilet was in my SMALL bedroom and the only privacy was it had a half wall roughly built along one side but the front was open to anyone walking past, yes that's right, NO BEDROOM DOOR either! And I won't even mention the kitchen LOL The back door was there, didn't lock properly, no stove just an oven type thing that sat on the smallest bench ever. Smallest sink I had ever seen, nowhere to put table and chairs or a fridge. BUT the lounge room was the biggest I had ever seen lol but oh lookie here, there was the fridge in a corner!! Plenty of room for all my furniture and owl collection in there but then I saw this HUGE fireplace that someone had tried to cover up with boards. I had already decided NO when the other occupents started playing their music (opera) on high and I just left after saying "no thanks" (there was no actual bathroom at all, no basin near the toilet, no heating at all)
 
Many years back, when we were searching for our first home, we viewed, not one but two houses, with toilets leading off the kitchen!
They were old houses, presumably and hopefully demolished by now!
 
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That is so terrible that it’s almost laughable. The owner should be prosecuted for something, greed, stupidity or trying to take advantage. what sort of an agency would list this? We need a whole new set of laws to deal with such imbeciles.
And what about the Council that may have approved it’s construction - or did the toilet end up getting put in after council approval? How was the plumbing of the toilet connected and to what and where?

In 1965 when I first migrated to Sydney our neighbours at the back had a red telephone box in their backyard. “What’s that for?”, peaked our curiosity. Turned out to be an outside ’dunny’ common in those days. Moving to Brisbane 6 months later & another outside ‘dunny’ but both places were away from living quarters and with walls & doors for necessary privacy and cleanliness.

What a disgrace that the owner of this property should dare to consider renting this AND worse still how did this real estate company even consider advertising it for rent? Look closely, the fridge is right opposite the toilet! Unbelievable!!!
 
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Just over 9 years ago I was renting a room and the land lord lived there as well.
This place was something else built by a tradesman Scotsman, a previous owner. Over the years he added rooms and the rainwater tank and a small caravan ended up enclosed within the building.
The current landlord took a hacksaw to the caravan to get it out and make use of the space.
The hot water tank sprang a leak when connected to town water and for about a year I had to boil water on the BBQ out back to have what I call a bucket shower and winter was the worse.
At 1st the room was cheap and was increased over time and I ended up paying top dollar for a room in that area.
 
What has happened to QUALITY CARE?
Nothing seems to be completed without faults anymore. Build them quick from the cheapest of quality parts. That seems to be the motto of builders these days😡
Be it cars, or houses, or caravans etc etc…..
 
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how did the plans get passed council to start with
A friend of mine bought a house with a garage.
The garage was done up for me to live there. it was a good conversion and shower and toilet where covered up unseen from the main part. I liked it.
What the Real estate agent told us when showing us the place said just be quiet with the conversion and be quiet when living there. Don't give the neighbors any reason to complain and it will be ok. The council has enough paperwork to do and they really don't want to know about little conversions.
 
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A friend of mine bought a house with a garage.
The garage was done up for me to live there. it was a good conversion and shower and toilet where covered up unseen from the main part. I liked it.
What the Real estate agent told us when showing us the place said just be quiet with the conversion and be quiet when living there. Don't give the neighbors any reason to complain and it will be ok. The council has enough paperwork to do and they really don't want to know about little conversions.
That would be right.... the houses around me have shacks attached that if the council was aware of them they would be demolished.
 
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Many years back, when we were searching for our first home, we viewed, not one but two houses, with toilets leading off the kitchen!
They were old houses, presumably and hopefully demolished by now!
Our toilet was out the back with the dunny man coming once a week
 
  • Wow
Reactions: PattiB

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