Man lists patch of grass for $130 per week
A patch of grass is up for rent by a man accused of taking advantage of those suffering to find a home amid the housing crisis.
The unimaginable living space in the man’s backyard in Eagle Valley, southwest Sydney has been advertised on Facebook Marketplace for $130 per week, with the successful applicant required to pay a $520 bond as well as two weeks of rent in advance.
They would need to supply their own tent or “small shed”, the man wrote in the ad, adding it is only available for rent on a short-term basis.
The man, in an attempt to entice renters, said the yard was in a “residential area, close to public transport and shops” and said he would be “open to discuss power, water, Wi-Fi, toilets and showers” for the right person.
The ad has attracted a lot of criticism from Facebook users, even outside of the listing itself, with the man being dubbed “scummy”.
“If you’re happy to loan your backyard to someone in that situation then you shouldn’t be charging a cent. If life has become that hard for someone they have to set up a tent in someone’s backyard then wouldn’t you think they are doing it hard enough?” wrote a person who shared the ad in a separate Facebook group.
“$130 to pitch a tent in someone’s backyard and it doesn’t include access to facilities like a toilet. Exactly where are they expecting the tenants to urinate and defecate? Outside the tent like dogs?” one user wrote.
“Unbelievable, way to take advantage of the housing crisis,” another responded.
Several others questioned why a bond is required, especially such a costly one.
The National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation’s latest State of the Nation’s Housing report for 2022-2023 found there were more than 330,000 households experiencing rental and financial hardship.
In a report by Anglicare Australia’s Everybody’s Home campaign, findings saw some workers are paying more than 80% of their earnings on rent.
International students are also feeling the heat of the rental crisis, with one having to sacrifice privacy to find affordable living.
Image credit: Facebook