Posted: 2024-09-19 01:53:14

An ad for a three-bedroom unit a short drive from the iconic white sands of Bronte Beach has been pulled after it sparked outrage for its extensive list of conditions for prospective tenants. 

The only entry point to the "large, spacious unit" home, which was advertised at $950 a week, is through the childcare centre underneath. 

"Occupants are required not to come and go during kindergarten hours," the listing said, meaning they must not enter or leave for a 10-hour period most days. 

Labelled "unusual" by the NSW Tenants Union, other rules for the three-bedroom in Queens Park property include a ban on pets, smoking and tenants having guests during the kindergarten's operating hours, which appear on their website as between 7:45am and 5:45pm.

A large living room with double doors looking out on to a patio.

The listing boasted a "large open plan living area" with "access on to sunny entertainers balcony". (Supplied)

There are also requirements to maintain the kindergarten, including to "remove leaves, sticks and gum nuts from playground in children's area before 8:30am on each Monday and Thursday".

The ad said the property is being "offered at a lower rent figure" to take into account the work done by the tenant.

The median price for a three-bedroom apartment in the area is $1,500 a week, according to realestate.com.

An empty bedroom in a rental unit.

Bedrooms at the property are advertised as "double sized with built-ins and direct access to balconies".  (Supplied)

Leo Patterson Ross from the Tenants' Union of NSW said the advertised $950 rent is an eye-watering amount "for such a poor deal".

"The red flags are flying high," he said.

Shortly after the ABC contacted listing agent Jillian Wills from Wills Property, the listing was taken down. 

The owner of the childcare business, which also has a tenancy in the building, said while it was not included in the ad, the tenant would also need to pass a police and working with children.

Concern about possible 'safety issues'

An empty kitchen in a rental home.

The listing outlines a "upgraded spacious three-bedroom unfurnished unit with modern kitchen".  (Supplied)

The listing attracted criticism after it was posted on social media with some describing it "shameless" and the rules the "unreasonable".

Mr Patterson Ross identified two possible breaches of the Residential Tenancies Act by the landlord. 

Section 50 of the Residential Tenancies Act prevents landlords from breaching, directly or indirectly, the reasonable peace, comfort or privacy of their tenant.

Man stands with arms crossed looking into camera.

Leo Patterson Ross, Chief Executive Officer of the Tenants' Union of NSW. (ABC News: Greg Bigelow)

The second potential breach according to Mr Patterson Ross is in relation to Section 70 of the Act, which requires landlords to give tenants the keys or codes required to access the property.

"We understand that the entry codes to the unit do not work during business hours, potentially placing the landlord in breach." Mr Patterson Ross said.

"That access back into the property in an emergency could present safety issues."

Not first time rules in place at property

On previous occasions where the property has been listed for rent, the same or similar stipulations were included in the advertising, according to the Tenants' Union.

Mr Patterson Ross said it speaks to some of the compromises renters must make to secure a home when the market is tight and the "disregard some people have for renters' wellbeing". 

According to data from SQM Research, the vacancy rate in Sydney is currently sitting at 1.6 per cent, dropping to less than half of what it was in the past five years.

The median rent for a three-bedroom unit in Sydney has increased by nearly $300 over the same period of time, according to Salesforce.

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