Is this landlord exploiting the rental crisis by offering a $650 backyard caravan?
- Replies 8
These days, it seems that renting a place to call home is becoming increasingly difficult and frustrating, especially with the current property crisis in Australia. With shortages of suitable housing and rising rental rates, many Aussies are left desperate for a place to lay their heads at night.
Unfortunately, some people are taking advantage of the situation, which raises the question: is this landlord exploiting the rental crisis by offering a $650 backyard caravan?
Located in Queensland, a self-contained caravan on the Gold Coast has sparked outrage among frustrated renters, who believe that landlords are looking to make a quick buck by exploiting vulnerable people searching for affordable housing.
However, the $650-a-week price tag is just the tip of the iceberg, as a social media user pointed out recently.
The caravan, which boasts two bedrooms, plenty of storage, and a fully equipped kitchen, seems like a dream opportunity for those struggling to find a place to live — but there's a catch.
The Facebook listing for the caravan states that the tenant must pay the standard bond, plus two weeks' rent upfront and go through ‘all relevant tenancy checks’.
The real issue, however, is that the tenant must also move the caravan offsite onto their own land and pay for utilities.
But what is the landlord's justification for the onerous requirements?
The caravan would ‘suit someone looking to live off-grid on land or as site accommodation while building’, according to the listing.
This situation has caught the attention of Rach McQueen, an honest property reviewer who took to social media to express her disbelief and frustration with this particular rental offering. In her video, she says the housing problem in Australia ‘makes [her] sick’.
‘You're not even letting them live in the caravan on your property? They're going to be paying more money to put it on land somewhere and hook it up to utilities,’ Rach argues, calling out the landlord's actions.
She also points out the absurdity of holding a tenant accountable to tenancy laws in this situation, as they're essentially just leasing a caravan, similar to leasing a car.
‘You're not actually taking in a tenant on your property. They're not your tenant. They’re leasing a caravan,’ she explains.
Rach firmly believes that charging $650 for a caravan is far from a solution to the ongoing housing crisis.
She highlights that $650 per week should pay for ‘an actual house/apartment’ rather than a caravan with considerable additional costs.
You can watch her honest review below:
In a previous video, Rach slammed a ‘shantytown’ rental in Mullumbimby, New South Wales, accusing landlords of ‘profiteering’ off people who can't afford proper housing, with many agreeing that rental prices are becoming ‘ridiculous’.
Commenting on the caravan video, one person jokingly asked, ‘What do you call a landlord with no land?’, to which Rach cleverly replied, ‘delusional’.
Another user claimed that ‘you can rent caravans cheaper from travel companies’.
However, some still tried to see the silver lining, with one person saying that the caravan is ‘better than sleeping in a tent’ and another stating that, if left with no other options for their family, they would be happy to take up the caravan offers.
It's a worrying state of affairs when people are faced with such limited options during a housing crisis. We hope our readers remain vigilant and seek out fair rental opportunities, and don't be afraid to call out questionable practices.
Do you have a similar story or personal experience with the rental crisis? We invite you to share it with us in the comments below.
Unfortunately, some people are taking advantage of the situation, which raises the question: is this landlord exploiting the rental crisis by offering a $650 backyard caravan?
Located in Queensland, a self-contained caravan on the Gold Coast has sparked outrage among frustrated renters, who believe that landlords are looking to make a quick buck by exploiting vulnerable people searching for affordable housing.
However, the $650-a-week price tag is just the tip of the iceberg, as a social media user pointed out recently.
The caravan, which boasts two bedrooms, plenty of storage, and a fully equipped kitchen, seems like a dream opportunity for those struggling to find a place to live — but there's a catch.
The Facebook listing for the caravan states that the tenant must pay the standard bond, plus two weeks' rent upfront and go through ‘all relevant tenancy checks’.
The real issue, however, is that the tenant must also move the caravan offsite onto their own land and pay for utilities.
But what is the landlord's justification for the onerous requirements?
The caravan would ‘suit someone looking to live off-grid on land or as site accommodation while building’, according to the listing.
This situation has caught the attention of Rach McQueen, an honest property reviewer who took to social media to express her disbelief and frustration with this particular rental offering. In her video, she says the housing problem in Australia ‘makes [her] sick’.
‘You're not even letting them live in the caravan on your property? They're going to be paying more money to put it on land somewhere and hook it up to utilities,’ Rach argues, calling out the landlord's actions.
She also points out the absurdity of holding a tenant accountable to tenancy laws in this situation, as they're essentially just leasing a caravan, similar to leasing a car.
‘You're not actually taking in a tenant on your property. They're not your tenant. They’re leasing a caravan,’ she explains.
Rach firmly believes that charging $650 for a caravan is far from a solution to the ongoing housing crisis.
She highlights that $650 per week should pay for ‘an actual house/apartment’ rather than a caravan with considerable additional costs.
You can watch her honest review below:
In a previous video, Rach slammed a ‘shantytown’ rental in Mullumbimby, New South Wales, accusing landlords of ‘profiteering’ off people who can't afford proper housing, with many agreeing that rental prices are becoming ‘ridiculous’.
Commenting on the caravan video, one person jokingly asked, ‘What do you call a landlord with no land?’, to which Rach cleverly replied, ‘delusional’.
Another user claimed that ‘you can rent caravans cheaper from travel companies’.
However, some still tried to see the silver lining, with one person saying that the caravan is ‘better than sleeping in a tent’ and another stating that, if left with no other options for their family, they would be happy to take up the caravan offers.
It's a worrying state of affairs when people are faced with such limited options during a housing crisis. We hope our readers remain vigilant and seek out fair rental opportunities, and don't be afraid to call out questionable practices.
Key Takeaways
- A caravan for rent in Queensland has been called out by frustrated renters who accuse landlords of exploiting vulnerable Aussies during the country's property crisis.
- The $650-a-week caravan on the Gold Coast has been criticised for its high asking price, as well as requiring tenants to move it offsite and set up utilities themselves.
- Property reviewer Rach McQueen slammed the landlord's requests in a video posted online, arguing that charging $650 for a caravan for rent will not help the housing crisis.
- Social media users have commented on the situation, with some claiming rental prices are getting 'ridiculous', while others suggested that the caravan is 'better than sleeping in a tent’.