Would You Pay For This? A Balcony In Sydney Is Listed For Rent At Rs 80,000 Per Month

If you’re considering a move and rent a house in Australia, especially Sydney, this story is a must-read. The rental crisis has reached unprecedented levels, as illustrated in this recent example. A landlord recently listed his balcony for $969 (Roughly Rs 80,000), a month. This unconventional accommodation, described as a “sunny room” for a single person in the Haymarket area, was posted on Facebook Marketplace. The space, depicted in circulating photos, shows a compact area furnished with a single bed, mirror, rug and basic amenities, with glass sliding doors connecting it to the rest of the two-bedroom apartment. The landlord emphasises immediate availability and includes bills in the rent.

The balcony, which is part of a two-bedroom apartment, is also available for rent separately at a whopping price of $1300 (Roughly Rs 70,000) per week, excluding bills. This unusual listing comes amid the recent data from Domain which showed Sydney’s rental price hitting a record $750 (approximately Rs 40,000) in June 2024. Lakemba leads the list with rents going up by 31.6% to $500 (approximately Rs 28,000) per week over the past year. Nearby suburbs in Canterbury Bankstown, Sydney’s west, and south also experienced jumps, Belmore’s rents went up by 31%, while Jannali and Penshurst each saw increases of 28.9%.

Dr Nicola Powell, Domain’s chief of research and economics, highlighted that the high rent cost across Sydney shows tenants are actively competing for more affordable locations and property.

Powell said, “The strongest rates of rental growth particularly for units is at that lower end. It is showcasing how stretched Australians are. Affordability is at the forefront of renters’ minds. We have seen unit rents see stronger rates of consistent growth compared to houses over the last couple of years.”

In 2023, a similar rental listing gained attention when a landlord offered a balcony for $300 (approximately Rs 16,000), a week. The tiny space was furnished with just a small bed. The unit was specifically for single men, who were required to share their nationality before viewing the room. Rent included all bills such as WiFi along with essentials like rice, basic cleaning supplies and cooking items.

According to New.com.au, the rent also includes a small desk and TV. The tenant also had access to amenities like an indoor swimming pool, gym and squash court. As per reports, the property was located next to World Square, just a 5-minute walk from Town Hall Station and Chinatown.