Renters looking for affordable accommodation in Melbourne can sleep inside new ‘space shuttle pods.’
The house at 15 Charles Abbotsford provides single capsule bedrooms for $250 per week (or $900 per month).
Traditional bedrooms are also available for $400 per week (or $1500 per month).
According to landlord Frank Chan, “people stay here because they want the flexibility to check out anytime they want, no minimum stay commitment, no bond and bills.”
‘It could be a solution to the tight rental market in Australia, at least for the short term, while waiting for the construction and home building industry to catch up, ‘ he said.
The house, which is located at 15 Charles Abbotsford (pictured), offers single capsule bedrooms for $250 per week (or $900 per month)
‘It’s very suitable for tenants who just like somewhere affordable to crash for the night in the inner city area,’ Mr Chan added.
The short term accommodation industry was one of the most affected during covid and many had to shut permanently.
‘Now with borders opening again, there are shortages so there’s upward pressure on price.’
He hopes that local governments will encourage and approve the installation of more of these pods.
According to the listing, the property is close to Woolworths, ALDI, Chemist Warehouse, and North Richmond train station.
There are numerous restaurants, cafes, and parks nearby, as well as the Abbotsford Convent and MCG, which are both within walking distance.
The boarding house and capsules are fully licensed and can accommodate a maximum of 12 people.
They collaborate with building surveyors, property lawyers, council, health department, consumer affairs, and the BBOA to ensure that the house complies with Australia’s building code and fire safety regulations.
The capsule pods are designed to fit a single bed (and can only sleep one person), and come with their own mirror, ventilating fan, USB ports, digital control panels, adjustable color reading lights, safe locker, clothes hanger, and curtain door for privacy.
Each private room is approximately 10sqm in size and includes a queen-size bed, desk, and fan.
A modern kitchen, a TV lounge area with Netflix, a courtyard, a backyard garden, and a guest coin laundry and dryer are among the shared amenities.
According to Mr. Chan, the pods are very popular in Asia and have been around for more than 50 years in Japan, where they are the only affordable accommodation.
‘In Australia, we have hundreds of pods already in Sydney, Brisbane, and Tasmania and potentially Perth.
‘But in Melbourne, somehow I am the only one with these pods and I only have six,’ Mr Chan added.
He stated that in the short term market, there used to be just two general options: private room (hotel charges $100 per night on average) and a bunk bed in a hostel for about $30 per night.
‘We are like a hybrid, target the market in between the two.’