Rental ad seeks tenant to clean ‘dilapidated’ house for cheap rent

In a rental market where every dollar counts, one South Australian landlord has taken the concept of “affordable housing” to a whole new – and deeply questionable – level.

For just $175 a week, you can call this three-bedroom, one-bathroom house in Gawler East home but there’s just one small catch: you’ll need to clean it up first. And by “clean,” we mean “rescue it from the clutches of chaos.”

The listing, posted on Gumtree, has left Australians equal parts horrified and fascinated.

The property is described as being in “dilapidated condition,” with photos revealing a hoarder’s haven of discarded furniture, personal belongings, and what can only be described as a landfill’s worth of rubbish.

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It’s not so much a house as it is a DIY project masquerading as a rental.

“Cheap rent if you do some work,” the ad boldly declares, pitching the property as a “unique rental opportunity” for a “reliable handy tradie or DIY-minded tenant.”

Translation: someone willing to pay for the privilege of cleaning up someone else’s mess.

A rental or a renovation job?

The landlord is upfront about the state of the property, describing it as “not move-in ready” and “in very rough condition right now.”

They’re looking for a tenant with skills in home repairs, deep cleaning, and gardening to whip the place into shape.

In exchange, the tenant will receive significantly discounted rent for a six-month lease.

A Gawler East hoarder home has been advertised as a rental on gumtree

The landlord is honest about the home’s condition but it has still sparked serious discussion about the state of affairs of Australia’s rental market.

Images supplied with the rental ad make it clear that the home will need a serious clean up.

“This house is in very rough condition right now. It’s not move-in ready,” the listing reads.

“It needs a serious clean, some love, and a lot of elbow grease. If you’re after something shiny and modern, this isn’t it. If you’re the type who enjoys fixing things up and wants cheap rent in the meantime, then it could be a great fit.”

But judging by the photos, “rough condition” might be putting it mildly.

Every room is crammed with clutter, and the outdoor areas look like they’ve been reclaimed by nature – and possibly a few possums.

And if we’re being honest – the toilet may just be the cleanest room in the house.

Internet reacts: “This isn’t a rental, it’s a job ad”

The listing has gone viral online, particularly on Reddit, where users have been quick to call out what they see as an audacious attempt to offload the cost of repairs onto a tenant.

“Instead of hiring professional cleaners and tradespeople and just copping the short-term loss, old mate expects someone to pay them (oh sorry, it’s discounted rent!!!) for the unique privilege of cleaning & fixing their dilapidated (house),” one commenter wrote.

Another added: “This isn’t a rental. It’s a job ad where the pay is ‘you get to live in a hoarder house.’ Unreal.”

A third commented: “That’s a job for a forensic cleaning company.”

One of the bedrooms.

The kitchen.

Another image of the kitchen covered in rubbish.

Some also questioned the practicality of the arrangement.

“What’s the KPI here? Do you have to clean a certain number of rooms per week? Fix a door to earn your rent? How does this even work?” one user asked.

A sign of the times?

While the listing has been widely criticised, it also highlights the desperation in Australia’s rental market.

With median rents skyrocketing and vacancy rates plummeting, some tenants may see this as a viable option – if they’re handy with a hammer and not afraid of a little (or a lot of) hard work.

Even the backyard will need a good clean up.

There’s no doubt the home has the potential to be a loved family home once all the mess have been removed.

After all, the average median rent in Gawler East is $580 a week, according to PropTrack.

But others argue it sets a dangerous precedent, shifting the financial burden of property maintenance onto tenants.

“This is where we’re at now,” one Reddit user lamented.

“People are so desperate for affordable housing they’ll consider paying to live in a rubbish tip.”

The landlord’s defence

To their credit, the landlord isn’t trying to sugar-coat the situation.

The listing includes multiple warnings, urging prospective tenants to “please read description before contacting” and noting that the property is “not suitable for families, children or pets.” The photos are brutally honest, showing the full extent of the mess.

Still, the question remains: is this a creative solution for affordable housing, or an exploitative attempt to dodge the cost of professional repairs?

Either way, one thing’s for sure – this isn’t your average rental listing.

And if you’re thinking about applying, you might want to bring a skip bin, a pressure washer, and a strong stomach.

The post Rental ad seeks tenant to clean ‘dilapidated’ house for cheap rent appeared first on realestate.com.au.