Shock and outrage: Scandalous $240 bed-sharing offer appals renters
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In a city where the cost of living is soaring and the hunt for affordable accommodation can feel like a wild goose chase, an advertisement recently described as 'creepy' by disturbed onlookers caught attention.
A recent rental listing in Melbourne has stunned many Australians and is deeply concerned. The rental ad offered a shared bed in a 'luxury hotel' for $240 per week.
A 30-year-old man posted the listing on a popular free classifieds site, seeking a housemate to split the costs of a $480 one-bedroom luxury hotel apartment in the bustling heart of Melbourne's Central Business District.
The catch? The prospective housemate needed to be a woman, and the arrangement would ideally include sharing the bed for a minimum stay of two months.
‘I am proposing a woman of similar age seriously considering sharing rental expenses and a bed,’ the advertiser said.
‘We might have the option for two single beds.’
‘This is a great opportunity to secure a nice apartment for (a) relatively affordable price.’
This unconventional proposition quickly set off alarm bells among renters and social media users alike, who condemned the listing as inappropriate and unsettling.
Comments from the advertisement ranged from sarcastic quips like:
‘What you’re looking for is a girlfriend. I hope that helps,’ one said.
‘Would rather sleep on the streets,’ another commented.
While sharing rooms is common in rooming houses, where residents rent and share communal facilities, this scenario pushed the boundaries of acceptable house-sharing arrangements.
In rooming houses, individuals can share a room with someone they know or leave the choice up to the rooming house operator.
Online platforms and social media are rife with advertisements for spare beds in shared houses, a testament to the lengths some are willing to go to mitigate the high cost of living.
According to Consumer Affairs Victoria, holiday accommodations such as hotels, motels, and short-stay apartments are not the same as rental accommodations.
They are considered a service provided under a contract and are subjected to Australian Consumer Law.
This means that the rules for sharing such accommodation are dictated by the terms agreed upon with the hotel.
Similarly, an online marketplace listing offered two renters the opportunity to share a bedroom with single mattresses and a lightweight divider, each paying $250 per week.
The listing gained attention on social media, particularly on Facebook Marketplace, which is known for its less stringent regulations than official rental sites. Read more about this story here.
Have you or someone you know encountered similar questionable rental offers? How do you protect your safety and rights when searching for accommodation? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.
A recent rental listing in Melbourne has stunned many Australians and is deeply concerned. The rental ad offered a shared bed in a 'luxury hotel' for $240 per week.
A 30-year-old man posted the listing on a popular free classifieds site, seeking a housemate to split the costs of a $480 one-bedroom luxury hotel apartment in the bustling heart of Melbourne's Central Business District.
The catch? The prospective housemate needed to be a woman, and the arrangement would ideally include sharing the bed for a minimum stay of two months.
‘I am proposing a woman of similar age seriously considering sharing rental expenses and a bed,’ the advertiser said.
A controversial rental ad offered a shared bed in a luxury hotel apartment for $240 weekly. Credit: Shutterstock
‘We might have the option for two single beds.’
‘This is a great opportunity to secure a nice apartment for (a) relatively affordable price.’
This unconventional proposition quickly set off alarm bells among renters and social media users alike, who condemned the listing as inappropriate and unsettling.
Comments from the advertisement ranged from sarcastic quips like:
‘What you’re looking for is a girlfriend. I hope that helps,’ one said.
‘Would rather sleep on the streets,’ another commented.
While sharing rooms is common in rooming houses, where residents rent and share communal facilities, this scenario pushed the boundaries of acceptable house-sharing arrangements.
In rooming houses, individuals can share a room with someone they know or leave the choice up to the rooming house operator.
Online platforms and social media are rife with advertisements for spare beds in shared houses, a testament to the lengths some are willing to go to mitigate the high cost of living.
According to Consumer Affairs Victoria, holiday accommodations such as hotels, motels, and short-stay apartments are not the same as rental accommodations.
They are considered a service provided under a contract and are subjected to Australian Consumer Law.
This means that the rules for sharing such accommodation are dictated by the terms agreed upon with the hotel.
Similarly, an online marketplace listing offered two renters the opportunity to share a bedroom with single mattresses and a lightweight divider, each paying $250 per week.
The listing gained attention on social media, particularly on Facebook Marketplace, which is known for its less stringent regulations than official rental sites. Read more about this story here.
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