24-year-old drives for five days to new home only to be left ‘homeless' and scrambling

News.com.au

2 days ago

Monique Muskens drove across Australia for five days only to become 'homeless' because she couldn't move into the room she'd been promised.
Ms Muskens, 24, accepted a three-month job in Perth working on a television program in the make-up department.
She immediately knew she would have trouble finding a suitable short-term rental, so she went online to find a match.
She found an advertisement onnline for a room for rent in Perth from a man who claimed the house was filled with 'adventure people' who are 'normal straight blokes', with the property close to all amenities.
The 24-year-old and her potential housemate began messaging and negotiating logistics, such as when she could move in. Eventually, he told her, '100 per cent it'll be fine to stay here when you get here', and she was delighted.
'We had agreed on the rental rate, move-in date, and my room. He even asked me where the coffee machine should go,' she told news.com.au.
The makeup artist claimed that she and her new housemate had texted frequently in the weeks leading up to her move-in date.
'He was texting me life updates, sending me photos, calling me, we were face-timing,' she said.
'I thought I was going to be best friends with my future flatmate.'
Ms Muskens left her hometown of Sydney and embarked on a five-day drive across the country to move into her new place in Perth.
'I was five hours into the drive when I got a text that was so rogue. It was like, 'Hey, your room won't be ready until Monday',' she said.
She says she immediately tried to call him, but he didn't answer. She recalled thinking it was weird, but she figured if her room wasn't ready, she could sleep on the couch until it was.
When she arrived in Perth on Saturday May 31, she went to the address and asked what was going on.
The 24-year-old alleges the occupant told her a bizarre story about an issue with her mattress that he had originally agreed to supply, which she said made zero sense.
'He was just like 'nah mate' and it was like 5pm on a Saturday. I was like, 'what? Where am I meant to sleep?'' she said.
Ms Muskens said the long Western Australian long weekend compounded the issue, as it made it difficult to find last-minute accommodation.
The makeup artist couldn't find anywhere she could stay two nights in a row, so she had to stay in two separate hotels over the weekend.
On Sunday, she messaged the man and joked, 'Will I be homeless tomorrow?' and, to her shock, he replied and said she could no longer move in.
'I was just about to message you. My wife had a meltdown over me bringing a woman into the house,' the text read.
'Definitely check on a few different platforms it is f**ked because I've held the room for ages and now she's pulled this.'
Ms Muskens said she was devastated. She initially thought he was joking, but he wasn't, and now she was in a brand new state with no housing.
'All my paper for this job has that address on it. I was shocked and in disbelief at first, and then I was so angry my body was shaking,' she said.
'My emotions were so high.'
Ms Muskens then returned to the house to confront him because, at this point, she just wanted answers.
She claims the man came to the door and confirmed that she wouldn't be living with him.
She argued that she was meant to move in 'two days ago' and she was confused why the plans had changed so drastically to which she claims he responded, 'My marriage comes first mate.'
The door was then shut in Ms Muskens face, she alleges, and, even now, several days later, she is couch surfing and has yet to find accommodation.