Rental crisis: 'Ridiculous' room for rent in Hobart shows extent of housing shortage

This photo of a 'rare room' available to rent has summed up dire state of Australia's housing crisis and sparked an online outcry.

An enclosed veranda in North Hobart was listed on Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace for $219 per week.

The space, which appeared to be an extension built onto the Tasmanian home, was advertised as a 'rare single pet friendly room'. 

Two photos of the listing were shared on Reddit captioned 'surely this can't be legal'.

The 'room' consists two brick walls and a tiled floor, as well as a private door, which other occupants would presumably need to enter to access the main part of the house.  

The second photo shows the fully furnished space, which barely has enough room for a bed, closet, desk, light stand and a heater. 

The living space was described in its online listing as 'convenient'. 

'Want to live in a house where it’s community based but also quiet and respectful? This pet friendly, low maintenance, and tranquil North Hobart home could be your future home,' the ad stated.

'Ideally you’re someone who’s responsible that will adhere to cleaning schedule to help everyone live in a clean space but only needing to clean once a month... and you have a job.' 

The Reddit post sparked a divided reaction among Aussies. 

Many were quick to call out the ridiculousness of the space and suggested it would very chilly in winter.

'I'm currently living in a renovated shed and it's both larger and nicer,' one wrote. 

Another added: 'Imagine keeping an animal cooped up in that... a rat or fish maybe but I couldn't imagine keeping a cat or dog in there.'

A third wrote: 'I lived for a couple of months in a 'room' very like this in Dynnryne in the early 90s. I actually thought it was ok, but it's not really,' a third person said.  

More than 120,000 Tasmanians live below the poverty line, according to the City of Hobart.

'Due to low rate of wage inflation, it is increasingly difficult to buy or rent a house even for Tasmanians with a stable income,' the city's website states. 

'More and more working families are reaching out for emergency relief as they can't keep up with rent increases.'