Finding a place to rent in Sydney has never been easy, but for newcomers, the challenge can feel overwhelming. That was the case for Ava (not her real name), a British traveller who recently shared her bumpy introduction to the city’s tight rental market.
From Hostel Crowds to Housing Hopes
Arriving in Sydney in January – the peak of the rental crunch – Ava and her friend quickly discovered how competitive the market can be. With vacancy rates at historic lows (just 0.9% in January 2024), securing even a modest room proved difficult.
After two weeks squeezed into a hostel with nearly 20 others, the pair turned to platforms like Flatmates and Sharesorted in hopes of finding something more permanent.
A Disappointing Reality
Their first inspection in Petersham, in the city’s Inner West, set the tone for what was to come. Photos online painted one picture, but the reality was very different. The kitchen and bathrooms were in poor condition, and other inspections revealed equally concerning situations – including overcrowded houses with more than a dozen tenants.
Still, Ava and her friend eventually circled back to the Petersham property because it was more affordable than other options. At $240 per week with a three-month minimum stay, it seemed like the best choice. Or so they thought.
The Shipping Container “Room”
When Ava moved in, she was shocked to learn her assigned “room” wasn’t one she had inspected. Instead, she was directed outside – to what she described as a shipping container fitted out as a bedroom.
The small unit had a window that could be opened from the outside (“great for burglaries,” Ava joked on TikTok) and little resemblance to what she believed she had agreed to rent. The property also had makeshift common areas and two bathrooms shared among nine tenants, one of which had a broken toilet seat lying on the floor.
For Ava, this felt like a bait-and-switch. “They didn’t even show us that room,” she explained.
Life Without Power or Hot Water
The issues didn’t stop there. Ava said tenants frequently went days without gas or hot water because the property managers allegedly failed to pay the bills – despite everyone contributing rent. Complaints were met with indifference, leaving residents unable to cook or shower until services were restored.
Not Everyone Called It a Scam
Ava shared her experience online, where her video gained hundreds of thousands of views. While many sympathised, others were quick to point out Sydney’s brutal rental reality.
Comments ranged from:
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“You didn’t get scammed – that’s exactly what $240 gets you in Sydney.”
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“The issue isn’t the property, it’s the budget.”
With Sydney’s median rents sitting at record highs – $775 a week for houses and $720 for units – affordable options are often scarce. In nearby Summer Hill, the median weekly rent recently reached $1088.
Moving Forward
Ava and her friend eventually left the Petersham property. After securing their bond back, they moved into a three-bedroom rental in Bondi and are now in a much better living situation.
Platform Responses
Flatmates, one of the platforms used in Ava’s search, said safety and accuracy are top priorities. The company has a full-time moderation team working daily to investigate complaints and ban members who breach community guidelines. Sharesorted, meanwhile, has not yet responded publicly.
The Takeaway
Ava’s story is a cautionary tale for anyone navigating Sydney’s rental market – especially those new to the city. With demand outpacing supply and rents at record highs, it’s vital for tenants to be cautious, double-check listings, and know their rights before signing on the dotted line.
