Decision Review: Room in a 6-Bedroom Apartment, 55 Houston Rd, Kingsford
Target audience – International students and young professionals searching for shared housing in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, particularly those studying at or working near The University of New South Wales and Western Sydney University.
Apartment overview and location context
This property at 55 Houston Road, Kingsford NSW 2032, is a shared six‑bedroom apartment offered as individual room listings. Kingsford sits roughly 6 km south‑east of Sydney’s CBD, close to the University of New South Wales (UNSW) main campus and within reasonable commuting distance to Western Sydney University campuses. The area is well‑served by bus routes, with light rail connections via the nearby Kingsford Light Rail stop on Anzac Parade, providing access to the CBD and Randwick.
The apartment is classified as a non‑ensuite room within an independent house (unit type: non_ensuite, independent_house). That means private bedroom but shared bathroom and kitchen/living facilities. The listing includes laundry facility, bills included, and fully furnished. The tag “not_available” indicates this specific room may currently be occupied or off‑market – verify live availability directly with the operator.
Who this residence suits
Students and recent graduates needing a short‑to‑medium lease near UNSW
The minimum lease term is 13 weeks (roughly one academic trimester). This flexibility suits students on semester‑based courses or those who need temporary accommodation while finding a longer‑term home. The location is within walking distance (15–20 minutes) to UNSW’s main gate, and the area has supermarkets, cafés, and takeaway options on Anzac Parade.
Residents who prefer bills‑included simplicity
All utilities are covered in the rent. For a student managing a budget, not having to separate electricity, water, internet, and gas bills simplifies monthly outgoings. The included internet rating from residents is 4.1 out of 5, suggesting reliable connectivity for study and streaming.
Non‑ensuite budget seekers in a popular suburb
The weekly rent ranges from AUD 375 to AUD 490. Sydney’s average student housing price in the city is AUD 175 per week (the city_from_price reference), but that figure tends to represent the very cheapest shared rooms or hostels, often in less central locations. In Kingsford and nearby Randwick, typical shared rooms in non‑ensuite apartments often range from AUD 350 to AUD 500. This property sits within that typical bracket, making it a realistic option for someone who values proximity to UNSW over a very low rent.
Residents comfortable with group living in a six‑bedroom setup
Six rooms means five other people share the kitchen, bathroom(s), and common areas. If you are sociable and don’t mind coordinating schedules for bathroom use, this is a straightforward arrangement. Reviews describe the stay as “a nice and simple stay during my uni days” – suggesting low drama but no luxury.
Who this residence does NOT suit
Those needing an ensuite or private bathroom
The unit type is non‑ensuite. If you require a private bathroom for any reason (medical, personal preference, or high‑standard hygiene), this is not the right choice.
Long‑term tenants beyond one semester
The minimum lease is 13 weeks, but there is no explicit maximum lease. However, the listing does not advertise extended options. If you plan to stay 12+ months without moving, you may need to reconfirm lease flexibility directly.
People on a very tight budget
While AUD 375–490 per week is competitive for Kingsford, it remains above the city’s absolute cheapest advertised price of AUD 175. If your budget is very restricted, you may need to look at larger share houses further out (e.g., Maroubra, Coogee, or more distant suburbs) or consider a hostel for the first weeks.
Those expecting high‑end amenities
Ratings from residents indicate staff support at 3.5, cleaning at 3.5, and amenities at 3.5 – all out of 5. This is middle‑of‑the‑road. The property is functional and clean enough, but not a premium or serviced apartment. If you want a gym, pool, or concierge, look elsewhere.
What residents actually say
The platform shows one verified review:
“had a nice and simple stay during my uni days” – Rating: 4.0 out of 5
This is a concise, positive comment. It suggests that the experience was straightforward – no major complaints, but also no standout luxury. The review comes from a “Verified resident”, adding some credibility. Because only one review exists, treat the feedback as indicative rather than a comprehensive picture.
There are no negative reviews to balance this comment, but the lack of reviews also means you cannot rely on aggregate feedback. You may want to ask the operator for more recent resident references.
Price positioning vs the city’s from‑price
Sydney’s student housing market is broad. The city’s from‑price of AUD 175 per week is the lowest advertised figure across all properties on the platform. That price often represents:
- A dormitory bed in a large hostel
- A shared room (twin or triple)
- A very small private room in a distant suburb
- A listing that may not include all bills
This room at AUD 375–490 per week is approximately 2.1 to 2.8 times the city’s bottom price. That is typical for a private bedroom in a decent location (Kingsford) with bills included. Compared to other properties in Kingsford, the price is average – not exceptionally cheap, not expensive.
For context:
- The cheapest shared room in Kingsford/Randwick can be around AUD 280–350 (often older houses or sharing with more people)
- A studio or one-bedroom in the same area starts around AUD 550–700
- This listing sits in the middle lower range
So if you value location over absolute cost, the price is fair. If you are only looking at the cheapest possible room in Sydney, this is not that.
Room‑type guidance
The room is described as “Room in a 6 Bedroom Apartment”. That means you get a single private bedroom (lockable, furnished with bed, desk, wardrobe). You share bathrooms (likely 1 or 2 bathrooms) and a full kitchen with living/dining.
Furnishings included: The listing tag says fully furnished – typically a bed, mattress, desk, chair, wardrobe, and possibly a shelf or lamp. Kitchen items (pots, pans, crockery) are not guaranteed; confirm with the operator.
Laundry: There is a laundry facility on site – likely a shared washing machine/dryer in a common area or basement. No in‑room washer.
Bills: Included means water, electricity, gas, and internet. No extra payments for these utilities. Confirm any caps (e.g., on electricity usage) during lease signing.
Booking timing
The listing shows a “not_available” tag, which generally means the specific room (Room 3 in this listing) is currently occupied or held. That does not necessarily mean the entire property is full – other rooms in the same apartment or similar rooms nearby may be available.
Recommend timing:
- For most Australian universities, the main intake is February (Semester 1). Start looking in October–December of the previous year for the best selection.
- Mid‑year intake (July) sees availability from April–June.
- If you need a room quickly (within 2–4 weeks), contact the operator to see if cancellations have freed any rooms.
Because of the “not_available” flag, you should not count on this specific room being free. Use the platform’s search filters for Kingsford with availability = “available now” or search by move‑in date.
FAQ
Is the lease length flexible beyond 13 weeks?
The listed minimum lease is 13 weeks. There is no upper limit mentioned in the data. You should ask the operator whether longer leases (e.g., 6 or 12 months) are possible and if the weekly rent changes for a longer commitment. Some operators offer a discount for full‑year leases.
How do I view the apartment before signing?
Virtual tours are common for student housing platforms. The data does not show whether a video tour exists. You can request photos and a floor plan from the operator. If you are already in Sydney, ask for an in‑person visit. If you are overseas, ask for a live video call walk‑through.
Can I cancel the lease early?
The data does not include cancellation terms. Most student housing operators have a cooling‑off period (e.g., 48 hours) after booking, and then a penalty if you break the lease early. Common penalties range from losing your deposit (if held) to paying 4 weeks’ rent. Always read the full lease contract before signing and ask about early exit fees.
Sources & data date
- Listing data sourced from Amberstudent (ID: amber‑1164735)
- City price reference (AUD 175) and property count (141) from same platform
- Resident review quoted verbatim from verified resident
- All prices are indicative – confirm with the operator at time of booking
- Data accessed: July 2026
For live availability and current room status, use the on‑site assistant (chat or filter) on the platform to check if rooms at 55 Houston Road are open for your preferred move‑in date.
See also: listing details · browse more