Adelaide landlord lists garbage-strewn Gawler East home for $175 a week in exchange for tenant repairs

A homeowner north of Adelaide has listed a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house in Gawler East for A$175 a week on the condition that tenants clean and carry out repairs, prompting widespread criticism online.

The Gumtree listing describes the property as "in dilapidated condition" and offers a significantly discounted rent for a six-month lease to someone "practical" who can provide cleaning, maintenance and yard care rather than paying for professional services. The owner included a disclaimer that the home is "not child, family or pet friendly" and warned it is "not move-in ready" and "needs a serious clean, some love, and a lot of elbow grease."

Photos attached to the listing show piles of rubbish, ruined furniture, damaged walls, a bedroom strewn with empty energy drink cans and a mattress lifted off its frame, and an overgrown backyard with large amounts of clutter and weeds. The owner asked for applicants with experience in home repairs and maintenance.

The listing attracted strong reactions from Australians on social media and in comments attached to the advertisement, with many criticising the arrangement as exploitative. One commenter wrote: "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 and fixing their dilapidated [house]." Another asked how the work would be measured, questioning whether there would be a set number of hours or rooms to be fixed.

Local rental data provides context to the reaction. Rents in Gawler East rose about 2% in the past year to an average of A$500 a week for a three-bedroom home, according to market data cited with the listing’s coverage. Adelaide's median weekly rent for houses is around A$615 and about A$540 for apartments. While Adelaide remains among the more affordable Australian capitals, those figures reflect continued upward pressure on rental prices compared with previous years.

The advertisement explicitly framed the arrangement as a cost-saving opportunity for someone willing to invest labour in return for lower rent for a limited term. It said: "If you're the type who enjoys fixing things up and wants cheap rent in the meantime, then it could be a great fit." The listing did not indicate whether the owner would supply materials or cover any professional trades costs beyond the reduced rental rate.

Advocates for renters and tenant groups have in other instances warned that informal arrangements in which tenants assume maintenance responsibilities can blur legal obligations and create risks for occupants, but the listing itself did not include comment from tenant advocacy organisations, nor did it indicate any formal oversight.

The listing was published publicly on Gumtree and reported in national media on Sept. 9, 2025. There was no public record in the listing of whether the property had been leased or of any formal inspection outcomes. The case has focused attention on how rising rental markets and property maintenance costs shape the behaviour of some landlords and the options presented to potential renters.