Desperate renters are forced to pay $280 a week to live in rusty tin sheds
- Corrugated metal sheds for rent amid housing crisis
- Reserve Bank raised interest rates 12 times in as many months
- Some landlords have been criticised for taking advantage
Renters are doing it tough across Australia but spare a thought for those in Perth who are being asked to pay nearly $300 a week to live in rusty tin sheds.
One rental listing in Karridale in the Margaret River region, south of Perth, popped up on Facebook recently asking for $280 a week.
Pictures show the shed has been built with rusty corrugated iron sheets and no proper flooring though thankfully it does have a fireplace, which is sorely needed considering the absence of any insulation.
Tenants have to leave the shed to use the gas heated shower outdoors but the ‘rustic’ dwelling does include a very basic kitchen.
To be considered free from rental stress a tenant would have to be earning a little over $930 a week after tax to rent the shed.
A rusty shed in WA’s Margaret River region is for rent for $280 a week (pictured)
Renters are doing it tough thanks to more than a year of consistent interest rate hikes being passed onto them by landlords (pictured, the living space inside the shed)
A similar property in Haynes near Armadale in the Perth’s east was recently featured on a TikTok account run by Rach McQueen – though even the ‘rustic’ tag would be a stretch in this case.
Ms McQueen points out exposed power cords leading to the shed being propped up by several metal poles.
The dismal space features dirty carpet that doesn’t cover the entire floor, a windowless combined bathroom and kitchen and a disconnected fire alarm.
‘I would call this less of a converted shed granny flat and more of a glorified slum.’
‘So, you’ll be preparing your food right here and the toilet is right there so all of the germs are just happily flying about everywhere,’ she said.
City of Armadale CEO Joanne Abbiss told PerthNow that renting out sheds to tenants is generally not above bar.
‘There are strict planning, building and health requirements that apply,’ she said.
She also said caravans popping up as permanent rental properties were strictly not allowed as tenants can only stay for short periods of time.
TikToker Rach McQueen took aim at this shed for rent in Perth’s east, the power running to the building on wires propped up by poles
Pictured is the combined kitchen and bathroom, complete with disconnected fire alarm
And those on Australia’s east coast aren’t immune.
A converted garden shed was being advertised for $350 per month in Melbourne earlier this year – described as an open-plan room with enough space for three beds plus a bathroom.
Alternatively for Sydneysiders, renters had the option of a bizarre wooden loft in inner-city Pyrmont for $330 per week.
Pictures uploaded on Flatmates.com.au show a wooden box elevated above the ground with space for a mattress but not much else.
The advertisement describes a living room underneath as a separate communal space.
This ramshackle loft (pictured), a homemade wooden box with visible nails hammered into its exterior, was advertised for $330 per week
The loft included a small coatrack above the ladder leading up to it
The room is shared with another renter who also lives in a loft, though theirs boasts ‘it’s own coach and chill out space underneath’.
The loft listed for lease in early March ‘which is the biggest’, according to the listing, shares its underneath space but privacy is accommodated for with a door separating the two areas.
The unique loft is located ‘in beautiful historic building’ according to the listing, was looking for a tenant willing for a minimum nine month stay near Sydney’s CBD.
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