Greenacre, Sydney: Landlord lists three-bedroom home for $0 with shocking catch

A Sydney landlord who offered their run-down home to rent for $0 a week has been slammed for a ‘disgusting’ catch.

If applicants read the full listing for the David Street, Greenacre home, they would have quickly found the property is ‘inhabitable’ and requires urgent renovations.

The landlord specified that the cost of renovating the property, which borders a petrol station in southwest Sydney, would fall entirely on the renter.

The three-year lease would give applicants one year rent-free in exchange for the renovations, before they were charged $650 a week for the remaining years.

Images of the ramshackle home, which was last sold in 2012 for $485,000, show several structural beams have fallen across the uninviting entrance.

Steph Briese, a digital creator, stumbled across the bizarre listing over the weekend and shared it on social media.

The property was described as a ‘family home perfect for the growing family, nestled in a quiet yet convenient location being close to all the wonderful amenities such as transport, parks, schools, shops in need of a renovation’. 

‘Please READ the below in full before you send inquiry or call,’ the listing continued.

‘Property is currently uninhabitable, work is required before moving in. The landlord does not have the funds to renovate the property. 

‘Opportunity for a savvy-minded person or persons with trade knowledge and experience.’ 

Ms Briese slammed the landlord’s bizarre catch as ‘disgusting’. 

Steph Briese, a digital creator, stumbled across the bizarre listing over the weekend

The landlord specified the cost of renovating the property, which borders a petrol station in southwest Sydney, would fall completely on the renter

‘You get to renovate this person’s property, with your own money, so you can live in it, but own none 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 savvy-minded person, is disgusting.

‘What kind of late-stage capitalism hellscape are we living in where a landlord and a real estate company think its acceptable to rent out a property that is not habitable to live in by law. And then make the renters pay for it?’

Ms Briese questioned if listing an inhabitable home was even legal in NSW. 

According to Fair Trading NSW, the state of the property and the level of repair expected should be in proportion to the property’s age and the amount of rent. 

Ms Briese (pictured) questioned if listing an inhabitable home was even legal in NSW

‘Landlords are responsible for repairing and maintaining the property so that it is in a reasonable state of repair, considering the age of the property, the amount of rent being paid, and the prospective life of the property,’ it states. 

Confused viewers were quick to share their thoughts in the comments.

‘If the landlord lacks the funds to upgrade the property, they should sell it,’ one said. 

‘1000000%. Thinking it’s appropriate to pass on renovation costs to the tenant is wild!’ Ms Briese replied. 

Images of the ramshackle home, which was last sold in 2012 for $485,000, show several structural beams have fallen across the uninviting entrance

‘If a building inspector determines it unliveable, it is the owner’s responsibility to fix it up to be liveable,’ a second wrote. 

‘Wouldn’t be surprised if if the tenants were evicted after the renovation work was completed,’ a third joked. 

However, others were more open to the agreement.  

‘It would be worth it for some people of you negotiated with the agent for $0 for 3-5 years. This slowly fixing it to your liking,’ one said. 

‘I’m a builder and I would definitely do this. I could easily do it for cheaper than what I would pay for a year,’ a second wrote. 

‘There’s nothing wrong with this. Both sides benefit. Fkn greenies have nothing better to do than complain,’ a third commented.