For the millennial generation, the prospect of flying the nest and moving out of the family home is a daunting prospect. While our parents had to go through this exact same process at our age, they didn’t have to endure the skyrocketing cost of living that many of the millennial generation are facing today. The cost of food, utilities and, especially private rent far exceeds that our baby boomer or Gen X parents faced. Yet, on top of the frankly ludicrous cost of living in major Australian conurbations like tourist riddled Sydney, effortlessly cool Melbourne or unassuming Perth, the private rental market is riddled with hidden horrors. So before you fall madly in love with that seemingly perfect apartment, be sure to check for the following obscure hidden horrors in perfectly pretty apartments.
PREDATORY LANDLORDS
As countries around the world start to experience housing crises a disturbing trend has arisen. The classified columns are becoming riddled with predatory landlords offering “free” rooms in exchange for sexual favours. Sleazy “sex for rent” landlords are a creeping cancer of listings sites like Craigslist and many desperate young women are falling victim to their predatory practices. This all brings a sad new meaning to the hidden horrors in perfectly pretty apartments. Needless to say you should always scour any classified ad for mentions of “intimacy” “benefits” or “fwb” and report any instances of this despicable practice that you see.
METH RESIDUE
It’s odourless and invisible, yet if your seemingly perfect apartment has been used as a facility for the production or use of methamphetamines, the residue left by these drugs can be extremely damaging to your health. Meth use is a growing concern in contemporary Australia and even though you may feel silly asking, it behoves you to check with your landlord or letting agent that the property has undergone proper Meth Testing before you give them your hard earned security deposit. Fail to ask and you could seriously endanger your health.
RADON
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is found all over Australia in the rock and soil beneath our feet. Its continuous inhalation has been linked to lung cancer and its presence is virtually undetectable as it is both odourless and tasteless. If you live in a Radon hotspot like Melbourne it’s a good idea to check that your prospective new home has been radon tested.
CARBON MONOXIDE
Often referred to as the silent killer, carbon monoxide occurs wherever fuels do not burn fully. Thus, wherever there’s a flame there should also be plenty of ventilation. Your new home should also come complete with a carbon monoxide detector. These have, in fact, been mandatory for all residential properties in Australia since 2011.
TERMITES
One of the biggest bugbears (pun intended) of properties in Australia are termites. While there are around 360 species of termite in Australia, only a small number cause damage to properties. It’s important for anyone looking to purchase a property to conduct pre purchase inspections to make sure the apartment is structurally sound as long-term infestation can cause structural damage.
MOULDS, SPORES + FUNGHI
One potential hazard that’s significantly easier to detect is the presence of moulds, spores and harmful fungi which can develop in warm, dark and damp areas such as bathrooms. Usually, apartment complexes are particularly prone to molds as their bathrooms are less likely to have windows depriving them of proper ventilation and access to sunlight. If you spot mould in your apartment it is your landlord’s responsibility to get rid of it, but if you let the mould get out of control it may well become your own responsibility.
Now do yourself a favor and save yourself with these hidden horrors in perfectly pretty apartments. And don’t go falling in love with a property until you’re certain that it’s first free of these obscure threats to your health and wellbeing.
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This has been a collaborative post. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are not my own
