A real estate agency that listed a three-bedroom apartment above a nursery has spoken out after Australians criticised the series of “uncomfortable” demands in the advert, while an investigation is launched on behalf of the nursery.
The unit in Queens Park, near Bondi Junction in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, was listed online this week by Wills Property for a “lower” rate of $950 a week.
In exchange for the reduced rent, tenants will be required to complete a checklist for the ground-floor kindergarten and adhere to strict opening and closing times.
Tenants can only access the unit through the centre and are not permitted to enter, exit or receive guests whilst the nursery is open from 7.45am to 5.45pm Monday to Friday.
The listing states that tenants must clean leaves, twigs and nuts from the playground twice a week, water the gardens, take out the trash and tidy the “front area” monthly.
Guests, pets and smoking are also not permitted. “More details and information” will be provided to applicants at an inspection that was initially scheduled for Saturday.
However, following multiple complaints and media inquiries about the listing, it has been removed from real estate websites.
Estate agent John Wills told Daily Mail Australia he was forced to contact police after Wills Property was inundated with “disturbing” calls and messages.
A three-bedroom apartment in Queens Park, in Sydney’s east (pictured, the apartment’s balcony) has come under fire from Australians for a number of worrying details relating to its location above a childcare centre.
In exchange for the discounted rent, tenants will be required to complete a checklist for the ground-floor kindergarten and adhere to strict opening and closing times.
“These communications that have come to us have become increasingly disturbing over the past 48 hours, prompting us to notify the police,” he said.
‘The police advised us to contact the creators of the original posts and ask them to remove them.
‘We followed the advice of the police and used only publicly available information in trying to reach the authors of these posts.
‘We have received and continue to receive threats, but we categorically deny having made any threats, including threats to initiate any legal action.
‘We are taking the matter seriously and can confirm that we are no longer managing the property.
‘Wills Property regrets that this matter has been allowed to spiral out of proportion.’
The New South Wales Department of Education confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that an investigation had been launched.
“We are investigating concerns about a Bondi service and a rental property advertisement,” a spokesperson said.
‘Our priority is the health, safety and well-being of children.’
Pictured is the living room of a $950-a-week apartment for rent in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
In response to a negative review of Wills Property from a person claiming the property in Queens Park could be “illegal”, the estate agent has responded and threatened legal action.
Daily Mail Australia understands the department has received a number of complaints regarding the property listing and its proximity to the kindergarten.
The unit was listed for rent in 2016 before being removed, according to property records.
It reappeared on the rental market in December 2017, but was again withdrawn.
In December 2019, it was relisted and a lease was signed.
The unit last hit the market on August 29, 2024.
Australians were quick to share their opinions on the property, saying the cheaper price was not enough to justify the list of demands.
“If I were a parent whose children attend that kindergarten, I would be mortified,” one user wrote, adding: “This is very alarming.”
Another said he wouldn’t know what to do if he was sent home early from work.
“Imagine if I had to stay somewhere else for the rest of the day because I wasn’t allowed to go home,” they wrote.
The listing revealed that tenants would not be allowed to enter, leave or have guests in the unit while the kindergarten (pictured) is open from 7:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.
