Hobart: Tenant’s heartfelt reason for renting out a tent at $125 a week in his backyard despite fierce backlash

A tenant who rents out a tent in his backyard for $125 a week has come under fire after people accused him of “disgraceful” behavior for trying to make money off the homeless. However, he says he’s “just doing his bit” during the housing crisis.

Mark decided to rent out the tent at his home in Hobart, Tasmania, to help a poor Australian. His girlfriend Helen Quinn posted the ad on Facebook on Saturday.

The tent was pitched for one person and all the bills except for the food were there. The ad said: ‘Emergency shelter for one person.’

But the ad immediately drew backlash, with some saying they would rather sleep outside than in his backyard.

“I would rather sit under the freeway overpass than pay that idiot $125 to enjoy his freezing cold backyard,” one person wrote.

“Disgraceful. I know someone who tried to get a pet sitter to pay money to look after their pet. This is way worse than that,” said one person.

Another added: ‘You can’t seriously charge a homeless person $125 a week to sleep in a tent? I must have read this wrong.’

However, Mark defended his actions by stating that he is also a tenant and that over the years he has opened up his home and garden to families and individuals who are going through difficult times.

The rental crisis has hit Tasmania hard, with renters now paying $7,000 more in rent annually than they did five years ago (pictured are renters queuing to view a property).

The Tasmanian, who receives disability benefits, said he currently has seven people living in his rental property and offers support to those who cannot afford their own home. Mercury reported.

Mark pays $450 a week for his home in the suburb of Risdon Vale and rents out a renovated tin shed on the property, as well as rooms in his house.

He also has a wife who rents a trailer. She used to live at a Kmart and before she moved there she slept on concrete.

“I have often supported people who had no financial resources at all,” he said.

‘A man sat here for two years and couldn’t pay anything.’

The pensioner said his generosity was not without its problems, with him being robbed and assaulted by residents “who had anger issues.”

But the Tasmanian is proud of his ability to help people. He says an ex-con, his partner and child had nowhere to go when he was released from prison. Now they have a home with him.

Many homeless people have no choice but to pitch a tent in a public place, which can be dangerous (pictured are tents for homeless people in Brisbane)

Mark said the ex-con and his family pay just $350 every two weeks for a room in his home, which includes internet, electricity and food.

The generous retiree said his home is now a “bit of a community” and added that he declares all payments he receives to Centrelink.

Mark’s girlfriend said she wasn’t “surprised” by the negative reactions, but found it “disappointing.”

Ms Quinn described the pensioner as a ‘nice person’ and ‘very generous’, who she said had bought a new tent for $600 after someone stole the old one.

Mark from Hobart wants to help people – the tent he rents in his backyard for $125 a week includes all bills except food (pictured are homeless people camping in a city park)

Mark also kicked out residents who used drugs after telling him that this was not the case.

The Tasmanian said he “just wants to do his bit”.

“If people went to the show grounds, they would have to pay $40 or more a night,” he said.

According to the Tenants’ Union of Tasmania, the average tenant in Tasmania now pays as much as $7,000 more in annual rent compared to five years ago. Yeah reported.

According to SQM Research, the average rent in Australia is now $692 per week for a house and $544 for an apartment.