Would you live in THIS? Cramped and windowless room up for rent with each bed priced at $160 a WEEK
- Windowless room was listed in Auckland for $160 per bed – per week
- ‘Ideal for people who love flatting, and make (sic) new friends,’ read the ad
- Tenancy Services will investigate if the room complies with rental rules
A windowless room with two single beds listed online for $160 per person will be investigated for potential tenancy breaches.
The room at a home in Auckland, New Zealand, was recently advertised on classifieds website TradeMe.
‘Ideal for people who love flatting, and make (sic) new friends. Additional storage space (above Kitchen), available to store suitcases,’ the advertisement reads.
A windowless room (pictured) with two single beds has been listed in Auckland for $160 per bed – per week
Power, water, a weekly cleaning service, unlimited internet, satellite TV and the use of a laundry and dryer would be included in the rent.
The flat is a five minute walk from Auckland University and the Auckland University of Technology.
Founder of Gimme Shelter Aotearoa, James Crow, told Stuff the price of the tiny room highlighted the ‘gross lack of affordable or appropriate housing’ in Auckland.
Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) states that each room must have a window or some way to introduce light and ventilation inside. Pictured: The room with fans placed on top of wardrobes
He said renters are trying to make city living more affordable by sharing rooms among several people, even strangers.
Tenancy Services will probe whether the advertised room is in breach of the country’s strict rental rules.
The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) states each room advertised for rent in New Zealand must have a window or some way to introduce light and ventilation.
The flat (pictured) is said to be a five minute walk from Auckland University and the Auckland University of Technology
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) national manager of tenancy compliance Steve Watson said if tenants have concerns their housing does not meet the minimum standards they should talk to their landlord.
‘If a resolution or outcome cannot be reached, Tenancy Services provides information regarding a number of options available to resolve a dispute, which include FastTrack Resolution, mediation or Tenancy Tribunal hearings,’ he said.
The government’s new Healthy Homes Standards requires all boarding houses to meet standards as of July 1, one of which is ventilation.