Discover the Shocking Price for a 'Tiny Slum Room' in Melbourne – You Won’t Believe What They're Charging for Shared Space!

The rental market in Melbourne has always been a topic of hot discussion, with prices soaring and affordable housing becoming more of a dream than a reality for many. But a recent listing has left Melburnians and Aussies nationwide in utter disbelief, as a landlord has been slammed for the exorbitant price of renting what has been described as a 'tiny slum room'—and that's not even the worst part. The prospective tenant would have to share this cramped space with another person.


The advertisement, which specifically sought a male tenant to move in from September 20, revealed that the room would be shared with a Japanese male already in residence. The cost for this privilege? A staggering $264.50 per week, with utility bills included. Additionally, the tenant would need to cough up a bond of $265 before moving in.


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The rental advert, posted on Facebook, received criticism for its price point and size. Image Credit: Facebook


A photo accompanying the listing showed a single bed with a doona, wedged into a space so narrow that the mattress touched both walls. While the apartment offered access to shared amenities such as a bathroom, laundry, kitchen, and the building's gym, pool, sauna, and barbecue area, the size and sharing arrangement of the room raised eyebrows and ire across social media and online forums.


Reddit users were quick to express their shock and dismay at the listing, which they saw as a glaring example of the dire state of Melbourne's rental market. One user quipped, 'Didn't realise Melbourne was becoming New York City', highlighting the comparison to one of the world's most notoriously expensive rental markets. Another lamented the fact that the rent for such a 'slum-room' was nearly equivalent to what one might pay for an entire house in less inflated markets.

The debate on social media also touched on the broader issue of affordability in Melbourne, with some commenters arguing that the city has become more unaffordable than many major global cities. Despite the outrage, there were those who pointed out the potential upside of living in small, centrally-located apartments, such as savings on transportation costs and proximity to city amenities. However, even these defenders of city living agreed that the listing in question was an 'extreme example'.

To put things into perspective, the latest figures from PropTrack reveal that the median price for an apartment in Melbourne is $609,000, with Sydney leading as the most expensive capital city in Australia to buy an apartment, with median unit prices at $819,000.


This listing is a stark reminder of the challenges many face in the current housing market. It raises important questions about the state of affordable housing, the ethics of rental pricing, and what the future holds for those seeking a place to call home in Melbourne.
Key Takeaways

  • A Melbourne landlord has been criticised for charging over $260 a week for someone to share a very small room with another tenant.
  • The rental advertisement detailed a space so restricted that the single bed’s mattress was touching both walls.
  • Social media users highlighted the listing as an example of Melbourne's challenging rental market, with some comparing it to expensive global cities.
  • Despite acknowledging some benefits of living centrally, commenters on social media expressed outrage at the high costs and poor living conditions presented in the ad.
As members of the Seniors Discount Club, it's crucial to stay informed about the housing market, whether you're considering downsizing, helping family members find accommodation, or simply keeping an eye on the economic landscape. What are your thoughts on this rental situation? Have you or someone you know faced similar challenges in the housing market? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below – your wisdom could be invaluable to someone navigating these turbulent waters.
 
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If anyone were that desperate to pay that amount of rent for a claustrophobic, dirty space, (the walls and pillow don’t look clean), they’d be better off setting up the mattress in the building’s gym. I dread to think what condition the mattress is in! 🤢
They are probably riddled with bed bugs.... Still, people will leap on them as they may have been brought up sleeping on a pile of filthy dirty rags.
 

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