Tenants in Oshawa rental can only use kitchen when landlord is home

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Read to the end — this story, of course, but also an ad if you are a prospective renter looking for a place.

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Landlords in Toronto are listing one-bedroom units for $2,495 a month on average, while average roommate rents in the province are a monthly $1,099.

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So if a person in need of housing can find something for significantly less, they likely are going to do it.

But at what cost? Sharing a room or a bed? What about foregoing a kitchen altogether?

That’s the latest ask from one GTA landlord in an ad that did seem almost too good to be true.

The Facebook Marketplace ad, which was shared on Reddit’s Slumlords Canada board, was on the hunt for a potential tenant or two — $800 for one or $400 each for a pair.

Not bad, right?

“Basement room for rent with shared bathroom,” the ad in the Durham Property Rental Group read.

“Can be shared for 2 people. I can provide for another bed.”

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It comes with wifi and utilities, though pets and smoking are strictly prohibited.

Here’s the catch — access to the kitchen is only allowed two to three times a week when the landlord is home because it’s on the main floor of the house.

There is a shared fridge and microwave in the basement, though.

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Naturally, the comments section was filled with disbelieving, outraged people.

“At first I was like this isn’t that bad at all!,” one person wrote. “Then I read the kitchen part and was immediately like this landlord is gonna be a nightmare.”

A second Redditor agreed: “What the hell, this wasn’t bad until the kitchen. I think that would be gross to cook in your room and what about your dirty dishes? Should they just chill out in your room stinking until it’s your special day to use the kitchen.”

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They added: “This is ridiculous. People treating people like animals … because they can.”

One optimist suggested, “Meal prep 2 or 3 times a week is what I would do. Or air fryer and hot plate. This is unreasonable but on this sub it is one of the more reasonable ones.”

Another person countered, “I can’t believe people are suggesting to buy a hot plate and toaster oven, and whatever more kitchen gadgets. This is nonsense. What’s next, showers only on weekends?”

One shocked user also asked, “Are we so beaten down that this actually seems like a good deal?”

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