There's a dead what?! The disgusting reason your next Aussie rental could smell
- Replies 0
There’s nothing quite like the excitement (and nerves!) of inspecting a potential new home—especially in today’s red-hot rental market, where every open house feels like a race and every decent property is snapped up in a flash.
But for one Melbourne house-hunter, a recent inspection turned from hopeful to horrifying thanks to a stench so foul it could knock your socks off—and a blue Post-It Note that revealed the grim truth.
Picture this: You’re walking through a rental that ticks all your boxes.
The kitchen is modern, the garden’s just the right size, and you’re already picturing your favourite armchair by the window.
But then, as you step into one of the bedrooms, you’re hit by a wall of putrid air. What could it be? Mould? Old food? Nope.
A quick glance at the door reveals a handwritten note: 'All furniture in here to hard rubbish [because] dead possum smell.'
Yes, you read that right—a dead possum. And not just any possum, but one that’s been left to decompose somewhere in the roof, filling the room (and possibly the whole house) with an unholy stench.
The would-be renter, stunned by the discovery, did what any of us would do: asked the neighbours for the inside scoop.
Their response? 'It’s the second time in six months, and the landlord refuses to fix the roof or entry holes.' No wonder the current tenants are moving out—the smell has made the place uninhabitable.
If you think this is a one-off, think again. The story quickly made the rounds online, with Aussies chiming in with their own horror stories and advice.
'Run! What else won’t the landlord fix if they won’t deal with something like that?' warned one commenter, while another pointed out the health risks: 'That’s disgusting and I’m pretty sure unsafe.'
Also read: ‘My god, what have they done to the house?’: One landlord’s horror story
Others were more practical, warning that the stench of a decomposing animal can seep into carpets, plasterboard, and even the very bones of a house—making it nearly impossible to get rid of, no matter how much you clean.
But who’s actually responsible for sorting out a dead possum (or any other pest problem) in a rental?
According to Consumer Affairs Victoria, it’s not always clear-cut. If the issue is caused by the building’s structure—say, a hole in the roof that lets possums in—the landlord is usually on the hook for urgent repairs.
But if the problem is caused by the tenant’s behaviour (like leaving rubbish around), the responsibility might fall on them. In this case, with repeated possum invasions and a landlord refusing to fix the entry points, it’s pretty clear where the blame lies.
Some commenters suggested that previous tenants should have just paid for possum removal themselves and installed a nesting box nearby to keep the critters out.
While that might sound like a quick fix, it’s not always fair—or legal—to expect renters to pay for structural repairs or ongoing pest control, especially when the root cause is a neglected roof.
Also read: 'What a b******* notice': Renters push back after receiving unreasonable charges
It’s not just about unpleasant smells—living with pests or in a property that’s not properly maintained can have serious health consequences, especially for older Australians.
Mould, damp, and animal droppings can trigger allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues. If you’re on a fixed income or have mobility challenges, dealing with these problems can be even more stressful.
That’s why it’s so important to know your rights as a renter and to speak up if something’s not right. Landlords have a legal obligation to provide a safe, habitable home—and that includes keeping the place free from pest infestations and structural issues.
Read next: Would you accept this lease? Aussies react to outrageous landlord condition
Have you ever encountered a rental horror story like this? Maybe you’ve had to deal with possums, rats, or other unwelcome houseguests? Or perhaps you’ve had a landlord who refused to fix a serious problem? We’d love to hear your stories, tips, and advice—share your experiences in the comments below!
But for one Melbourne house-hunter, a recent inspection turned from hopeful to horrifying thanks to a stench so foul it could knock your socks off—and a blue Post-It Note that revealed the grim truth.
Picture this: You’re walking through a rental that ticks all your boxes.
The kitchen is modern, the garden’s just the right size, and you’re already picturing your favourite armchair by the window.
But then, as you step into one of the bedrooms, you’re hit by a wall of putrid air. What could it be? Mould? Old food? Nope.
A quick glance at the door reveals a handwritten note: 'All furniture in here to hard rubbish [because] dead possum smell.'
Yes, you read that right—a dead possum. And not just any possum, but one that’s been left to decompose somewhere in the roof, filling the room (and possibly the whole house) with an unholy stench.
A prospective renter in Melbourne was shocked to discover a note warning of a 'dead possum smell' in a bedroom during a rental inspection, with the stench making the place uninhabitable for current tenants. Image source: Facebook.
The would-be renter, stunned by the discovery, did what any of us would do: asked the neighbours for the inside scoop.
Their response? 'It’s the second time in six months, and the landlord refuses to fix the roof or entry holes.' No wonder the current tenants are moving out—the smell has made the place uninhabitable.
If you think this is a one-off, think again. The story quickly made the rounds online, with Aussies chiming in with their own horror stories and advice.
'Run! What else won’t the landlord fix if they won’t deal with something like that?' warned one commenter, while another pointed out the health risks: 'That’s disgusting and I’m pretty sure unsafe.'
Also read: ‘My god, what have they done to the house?’: One landlord’s horror story
Others were more practical, warning that the stench of a decomposing animal can seep into carpets, plasterboard, and even the very bones of a house—making it nearly impossible to get rid of, no matter how much you clean.
But who’s actually responsible for sorting out a dead possum (or any other pest problem) in a rental?
According to Consumer Affairs Victoria, it’s not always clear-cut. If the issue is caused by the building’s structure—say, a hole in the roof that lets possums in—the landlord is usually on the hook for urgent repairs.
But if the problem is caused by the tenant’s behaviour (like leaving rubbish around), the responsibility might fall on them. In this case, with repeated possum invasions and a landlord refusing to fix the entry points, it’s pretty clear where the blame lies.
Neighbours revealed this was the second time in six months a dead possum had been left in the roof, with the landlord allegedly refusing to fix entry holes or address the issue. Image source: David Clode / Unsplash.
Some commenters suggested that previous tenants should have just paid for possum removal themselves and installed a nesting box nearby to keep the critters out.
While that might sound like a quick fix, it’s not always fair—or legal—to expect renters to pay for structural repairs or ongoing pest control, especially when the root cause is a neglected roof.
Also read: 'What a b******* notice': Renters push back after receiving unreasonable charges
It’s not just about unpleasant smells—living with pests or in a property that’s not properly maintained can have serious health consequences, especially for older Australians.
Mould, damp, and animal droppings can trigger allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues. If you’re on a fixed income or have mobility challenges, dealing with these problems can be even more stressful.
That’s why it’s so important to know your rights as a renter and to speak up if something’s not right. Landlords have a legal obligation to provide a safe, habitable home—and that includes keeping the place free from pest infestations and structural issues.
Read next: Would you accept this lease? Aussies react to outrageous landlord condition
Have you ever encountered a rental horror story like this? Maybe you’ve had to deal with possums, rats, or other unwelcome houseguests? Or perhaps you’ve had a landlord who refused to fix a serious problem? We’d love to hear your stories, tips, and advice—share your experiences in the comments below!
