Melbourne renter makes drastic move after landlord raises the rent – and why she thinks they had no right
A young Australian claims she has been forced to move back after her landlord increased her rent, even though they have no mortgage.
Gemma Upson-McPike, 27, shared her plight in a TikTok video with the caption: ‘Rental Crisis Rant’.
Ms Upson-McPike said she was forced to move back in with her parents after her landlord raised the rent to $450 a week – up from $280 when she moved into the one-bedroom apartment in Melbourne three years ago .
Ms Upson-McPike said what “really makes her work” is that she is “99 per cent sure” the landlord doesn’t have a mortgage “so that can’t even be an excuse”.
“I’m sure she has two investment properties,” Ms. Upson-McPike said, adding that the landlord had owned her rental property since the 1980s.
In a viral video, Melbourne fitness trainer Gemma Upson-McPike complained about having to move back in with her parents after steep rent increases
She described the apartment as “small” and “nothing flashy” and said it was in an “old building.”
“Sure, I live in a good suburb, I’m probably just paying for the location,” Ms Upson-McPike said.
‘I have to pay to do my laundry, there are cracks in the walls. It’s not worth $450 a week; that’s two thousand dollars a month.’
Ms Upson-McPike, who lists her occupation as a fitness trainer, said her pay was not “excellent”.
“The rent has never been late, my inspections have always gone smoothly,” she said.
Ms Upson-McPike said moving back in with her parents wasn’t the “plan I had for 27-year-old me, but that’s just how bad the rental crisis is right now.”
“I’m so happy and so grateful to be able to move back in with my parents, but not everyone can, so what’s your alternative?” she asked.
“You’re homeless.”
She said home ownership was a fading dream for people her age.
“This is why my generation can’t get ahead, why we can’t buy houses,” she said.
“I pay $20,000 a year in rent, but if I took out a home loan they wouldn’t see it since she can pay $20,000 a year.
“I have no savings because of what I paid in rent and bills.
Ms Upson-McPike said she would try to save money as she moves back home, although she would have to pay for a much longer journey to Melbourne because her parents live on the other side of Geelong.
“The government needs to get on top of this because the state of the rental market is absolutely shit right now,” she said.
Many social media users agreed with her sentiment, with some admitting they were in a similar situation.
Several of those who commented on Ms Upson-McPike shared their stories of rent frustration
“I’m 31. I moved back home because I can no longer pay my mortgage,” said one.
‘I’m renting it out now. This is the new normal.’
“DW girl, I’m 29 (30 in five months) and I live with my mom,” another replied.
“It’s horrible,” another TikTok user wrote.
‘I’m sorry you’re going through this. My 14 year old son is already worried about the type of job he will need to pay for living expenses and never being able to move. It’s sad,” said another.
“I’m 54, renting and still trying to save for a down payment on a house,” said another, proving the problem doesn’t just affect millennials and Gen-Z.
“Just started work paying $500 a week for my rent in a rural Queensland town with a drugstore around the corner,” read another comment.
However, not everyone was so sympathetic.
“Looks like a newish car and coffee in hand,” one person commented.
“Just like everything else, they all want it now and they’re complaining. PS I’m only 37.’
“Anyone still talking about the nice car and the Starbucks coffee…” asked another.
Ms Upson-McPike responded that her car was only a 2012 Holden Barina and also clarified that her most recent rent increase was from $390 per week to $450.
Some comments came in defense of the landlord.
“The owner would have to pay higher municipal rates, higher insurance rates, and higher insurance rates,” one person wrote.
“As a landlord, I can tell you that interest, insurance and repair costs have increased dramatically,” replied another.
‘Isn’t it fair to pass on such increases?’
Others thought Ms. Upson-McPike’s rent didn’t sound so excessive, considering the cost of the apartment would likely be $750,000.
Some claimed her financial acumen needed work.
“Do you think you can pay a mortgage on $20,000 a year?” said one.
One commenter decided to add some dry humor.
“The problem, guys, is that you’re not saving any money and you’re just spending money on Netflix, coffee and phones,” they said.
“If you save this money, you can have the house in 1,874 years.”