A Sydney landlord who put their dilapidated house up for rent at $0 a week has been criticized for a ‘disgusting’ catch.
If applicants read the full listing for the house in David Street, Greenacre, they would have quickly discovered that the property is ‘habitable’ and in urgent need of renovation.
The landlord specified that the costs of renovating the property, which is adjacent to a petrol station in south-west Sydney, would be borne entirely by the tenant.
The three-year lease would give applicants a year’s rent-free in exchange for the renovations, before paying $650 a week for the remaining years.
Images of the dilapidated home, which last sold for $485,000 in 2012, show several structural beams fallen over the uninviting entryway.
Steph Briese, a digital creator, stumbled across the bizarre list this weekend and shared it on social media.
If applicants had read the full listing of the house in David Street, Greenacre (pictured), they would have quickly discovered that the property is ‘habitable’ and in urgent need of refurbishment
The property was described as a ‘family home perfect for a growing family, nestled in a quiet yet convenient location close to all wonderful amenities such as transport, parks, schools, shops in need of renovation’.
“PLEASE READ the below in full before sending an inquiry or calling,” the listing continued.
“The property is currently uninhabitable, work needs to be done before it can be moved into. The landlord does not have the means to renovate the property.
‘Opportunity for a savvy-minded person or persons with expertise and experience.’
Ms Briese called the landlord’s bizarre capture “disgusting”.
Steph Briese, a digital creator, stumbled across the bizarre list over the weekend
The landlord specified that the cost of refurbishing the property, which is adjacent to a petrol station in southwest Sydney, would fall entirely on the tenant
“You get to renovate this person’s property, with your own money, so that you can live in it, but don’t own any of it, and then you get to pay them rent for the luxury,” she said.
“This, contrary to the suggestion that this is an opportunity for a sensible person, is disgusting.
“What kind of hellscape of late capitalism are we living in, where a landlord and a real estate company find it acceptable to rent out a property that is not legally habitable. And then make the tenants pay for it?’
Ms Briese questioned whether offering a habitable home was even legal in NSW.
According to Fair Trading NSW, the condition of the property and the expected level of repair should be commensurate with the age of the property and the amount of rent.
Ms Briese (pictured) wondered if putting up a habitable house was legal in NSW
Landlords are responsible for repairing and maintaining the property so that it is in a reasonable state of repair, taking into account the age of the property, the amount of rent paid and the future life of the property.
Confused viewers were quick to share their thoughts in the comments.
“If the landlord doesn’t have the money to upgrade the property, they have to sell it,” one of them said.
‘1 million%. Finding it responsible to pass on renovation costs to the tenant is wild!’ Mrs Briese replied.
Images of the dilapidated home, which last sold for $485,000 in 2012, show several structural beams fallen over the uninviting entryway
“If a building inspector determines it to be unlivable, it is the owner’s responsibility to refurbish it to make it livable,” wrote a second.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the tenants get evicted after the renovations are done,” joked a third.
Others, however, were more open to the agreement.
“It would be worth it for some of you who negotiated with the agent for $0 for 3-5 years. This slowly makes it to your liking,” said one.
“I am a builder and I would definitely do this. I could easily do it cheaper than what I would pay for a year,” wrote a second.
‘There’s nothing wrong with this. Both sides benefit. Fkn greenies have nothing better to do than complain,” a third commented.