By Jessica Anstice
A homeowner is warning others to research potential housemates before allowing them into their living spaces after his Pakenham home was left trashed.
Share house living is a common practice for homeowners who live alone, and for one local resident, it was an appealing concept.
For privacy reasons, the homeowner, SM, did not want to reveal his full name.
After only two weeks of sharing his home with a stranger, SM was presented with any homeowner’s worst nightmare.
The bedroom was left trashed, with old fast food, cigarette butts, rubbish and more, sprawled across the carpet.
SM found the housemate on flatmates.com – a share accommodation website that allows people to list spare bedrooms to start a share house.
“I asked the person to leave and originally I gave two weeks, but I came home to another strange character in my house and the place a mess,” the homeowner said.
“So then I told him since he hasn’t paid up his rent as yet I would give him a week and he said he would leave now so I told him ‘fine’.
“The character that was in house got lippy and as he left he threatened me.”
SM then went into the spare bedroom to find a huge mess on the floor.
“I was disgusted – it only took an hour to clean up but it just goes to show how people who don’t know the value of properties treat other peoples’ properties,” he added.
Before the man took his unacceptable behaviour to an extreme, SM noticed many red flags.
He said the boarder would leave the house late at night and not return for a number of days.
“I was disgusted but it was my own fault as I didn’t do a full check on the person before I allowed him into my home,” SM said.
“I did stipulate at the start that there would be no drugs and guests would only be welcome as long as I’ve met them and feel they are respectful.”
However, this wasn’t the first time SM has had a bad experience while sharing his house.
“I have had one other who stole my wallet and used my debit card and another who stole money out of my friend’s purse,” he said.
“All I am pointing out is to be aware of who you let in your home.”
