Bizarre Requirement: Why this rental is advertised as the perfect opportunity for Handymen
Renting a place can sometimes feel like navigating through a storm of uncertainty.
Trying to find the right price, perfect location, and necessary comforts can be like wandering through a maze.
You come in with high hopes only to encounter a ridiculously overpriced rental listing.
A recent example in NSW left us all chuckling and scratching our heads.
The recent rental listing that keeps us entertained sprouted from Campsie, a bustling, culturally diverse suburb in Sydney's southwest known for its abundance of shops and restaurants and excellent transport links.
But hold onto your hats, because this listing is far from the typical and mundane.
Up for grabs is a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house, previously sold for an impressive $2 million in 2015, and it could be yours to lease for $700 a week.
Just another typical listing, you say. No, no, no! That’s where the plot thickens.
The property was initially advertised as an 'ideal option for a handyman', leaving many with knit brows.
Now, why would a property up for rent be described as such?
The answer becomes clear when we examine the original listing, which featured several images of the house showing apparent signs of wear and tear.
It appears that the landlord may have been cleverly playing a card here. Get a tenant who’s also a part-time Bob the Builder!
However, to the landlord's possible dismay, his plan received some scepticism from the internet, with horrified folks gasping, 'So they want someone to pay $700 for the privilege of fixing the f****** house?'
A second commented, ‘How is it now becoming quite normal to charge ridiculous rent and get tenants to reno your investments.’
Imagine taking charge of an old property and breathing new life into it. As a tenant, you can be a part-time property flipper, transforming the place into something remarkable.
However, let's not rush into action just yet. Let's take a moment to consider the terms once more thoroughly.
The tenant will sign up for a bond payment of $2800 before they wear their Superman cape of 'renovator in shining armour'.
Before you march on with your tools, it’s crucial to understand that the NSW's Residential Tenancies Act ensures you receive a rental property fit for habitation and not one demanding renovation attention.
This new listing comes about three months after a similar rental property was offered for free, with the condition that tenants renovate the property at their own expense.
In return, the landlord provides a three-year lease, with the first year being rent-free to cover the renovation costs. The rent for the remaining two years is open to negotiation.
The property is located in Greenacre, in Sydney's southwest, and was described as ‘currently uninhabitable’ at the time of the previous listing.
The listing was eventually taken down as it was found to violate the Residential Tenancies Act, leading to criticism from Premier Chris Minns.
In a social media post last April, he said, ‘There is no excuse for this. That‘s why we’re acting now to reform our rental laws, introducing a rental commissioner. Portable bonds. Banning secret rent bidding. Ending evictions without reasonable grounds. And that’s just the start.’
A spokesperson from NSW Fair Trading explained that the Residential Tenancies Act mandates landlords to provide premises suitable for the tenant to live comfortably.
In April, they stated that if the premises were not fit for habitation, it would breach the tenancy agreement, allowing the tenant to terminate the agreement and seek compensation.
The Act does not explicitly address the issue of landlords advertising free rent in exchange for renovation work.
However, it does state that rent should be a defined amount payable by the tenant to the landlord at specified intervals, and the premises should be safe and fit for habitation.
According to NSW Fair Trading, a landlord must meet at least seven minimum requirements to ensure their property is considered ‘fit for habitation’.
These standards apply to all rental properties and encompass essential requirements such as structural integrity, adequate lighting, ventilation, access to electricity and gas, proper plumbing and drainage, provision of hot and cold water supplies, and bathroom facilities.
In the end, whether you're up for some spackle and paint or just searching for a quaint corner to enjoy your afternoon cuppa, we encourage you to stand by your choices. After all, not everyone would frown at a thrown gauntlet and reject a challenge!
Members, have you ever come across a unique or bizarre rental listing? What was your initial reaction to such a listing, and how would you feel about renting a property with visible signs of wear and tear?
Trying to find the right price, perfect location, and necessary comforts can be like wandering through a maze.
You come in with high hopes only to encounter a ridiculously overpriced rental listing.
A recent example in NSW left us all chuckling and scratching our heads.
The recent rental listing that keeps us entertained sprouted from Campsie, a bustling, culturally diverse suburb in Sydney's southwest known for its abundance of shops and restaurants and excellent transport links.
But hold onto your hats, because this listing is far from the typical and mundane.
Up for grabs is a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house, previously sold for an impressive $2 million in 2015, and it could be yours to lease for $700 a week.
Just another typical listing, you say. No, no, no! That’s where the plot thickens.
The property was initially advertised as an 'ideal option for a handyman', leaving many with knit brows.
Now, why would a property up for rent be described as such?
The answer becomes clear when we examine the original listing, which featured several images of the house showing apparent signs of wear and tear.
It appears that the landlord may have been cleverly playing a card here. Get a tenant who’s also a part-time Bob the Builder!
However, to the landlord's possible dismay, his plan received some scepticism from the internet, with horrified folks gasping, 'So they want someone to pay $700 for the privilege of fixing the f****** house?'
A second commented, ‘How is it now becoming quite normal to charge ridiculous rent and get tenants to reno your investments.’
Imagine taking charge of an old property and breathing new life into it. As a tenant, you can be a part-time property flipper, transforming the place into something remarkable.
However, let's not rush into action just yet. Let's take a moment to consider the terms once more thoroughly.
The tenant will sign up for a bond payment of $2800 before they wear their Superman cape of 'renovator in shining armour'.
Before you march on with your tools, it’s crucial to understand that the NSW's Residential Tenancies Act ensures you receive a rental property fit for habitation and not one demanding renovation attention.
This new listing comes about three months after a similar rental property was offered for free, with the condition that tenants renovate the property at their own expense.
In return, the landlord provides a three-year lease, with the first year being rent-free to cover the renovation costs. The rent for the remaining two years is open to negotiation.
The property is located in Greenacre, in Sydney's southwest, and was described as ‘currently uninhabitable’ at the time of the previous listing.
The listing was eventually taken down as it was found to violate the Residential Tenancies Act, leading to criticism from Premier Chris Minns.
In a social media post last April, he said, ‘There is no excuse for this. That‘s why we’re acting now to reform our rental laws, introducing a rental commissioner. Portable bonds. Banning secret rent bidding. Ending evictions without reasonable grounds. And that’s just the start.’
A spokesperson from NSW Fair Trading explained that the Residential Tenancies Act mandates landlords to provide premises suitable for the tenant to live comfortably.
In April, they stated that if the premises were not fit for habitation, it would breach the tenancy agreement, allowing the tenant to terminate the agreement and seek compensation.
The Act does not explicitly address the issue of landlords advertising free rent in exchange for renovation work.
However, it does state that rent should be a defined amount payable by the tenant to the landlord at specified intervals, and the premises should be safe and fit for habitation.
According to NSW Fair Trading, a landlord must meet at least seven minimum requirements to ensure their property is considered ‘fit for habitation’.
These standards apply to all rental properties and encompass essential requirements such as structural integrity, adequate lighting, ventilation, access to electricity and gas, proper plumbing and drainage, provision of hot and cold water supplies, and bathroom facilities.
Key Takeaways
- A rental property in Campsie, NSW, has a bizarre requirement for potential tenants—it is being leased in its current (somewhat dilapidated) condition and is 'ideal for a handyman'.
- Prospective renters have reacted with scepticism, some suggesting the landlord wants a tenant who will renovate the property for them.
- Earlier this year, a similar property in Greenacre, Sydney, was advertised for free but with the condition the tenants undertake renovations at their own expense.
- A NSW Fair Trading spokesperson clarified that landlords must provide premises fit for habitation and meet at least seven minimum requirements, including structural soundness and adequate utilities.
In the end, whether you're up for some spackle and paint or just searching for a quaint corner to enjoy your afternoon cuppa, we encourage you to stand by your choices. After all, not everyone would frown at a thrown gauntlet and reject a challenge!
Members, have you ever come across a unique or bizarre rental listing? What was your initial reaction to such a listing, and how would you feel about renting a property with visible signs of wear and tear?