Adrian, a retiree from Queensland, decided to rent out his home for short-term stays to earn some extra income. Unfortunately, his experience took a drastic turn when a guest named Rob transformed into a squatter, leaving Adrian without a home and struggling financially. “I have been through hell; it’s been a nightmare for the past year,” said the 66-year-old.
Adrian had travelled to Melbourne to say goodbye to his ailing mother, but upon returning, he discovered Rob had taken over his house. Not only had Rob moved in, but Adrian also found Rob’s 18-year-old son occupying his locked bedroom. An altercation ensued, which led to police intervention. However, while they confirmed Adrian’s right to his home, they could not remove Rob and his family due to legal restrictions.
Adrian later learned that Rob had a criminal background and had illegally converted part of the house into a bedroom to sublet for $200 a week. Despite these revelations, the family refused to vacate the premises even after the original lease expired months ago. Adrian mentioned that they had been sending him fake bank receipts to indicate they were still paying rent.
As Adrian struggled with the financial burden of not receiving any rental income, he resorted to borrowing money from friends just to buy food. The Real Estate Institute of Queensland highlighted the lack of regulations for short-term rentals, pointing out that landlords cannot ask tenants for criminal history checks unless a tenancy agreement is in place. This gap in regulation exposes landlords to significant risks.
Living in a friend’s home while he hoped to reclaim his property, Adrian expressed his desire to evict the squatters from his life. Rob has indicated he will leave once he sorts out his personal issues, but the timeline remains uncertain. Adrian’s situation serves as a cautionary tale about the vulnerabilities that can arise from short-term rental agreements.