Decision Review: Room in a 7 Bedroom Apartment, 128 Kippax St, Surry Hills
This property is a single room within a 7‑bedroom apartment located at 128 Kippax Street in Surry Hills, Sydney. It is offered through Amber Student and is classified as a non‑ensuite room in an independent house. The weekly price range is AUD 470–505 (indicative — confirm with the operator), and the minimum lease term is 13 weeks. The property has a Google rating of 4.2 out of 5 based on 93 reviews. Below is a straightforward breakdown of who this room suits, what residents actually say, how the price compares to the city’s baseline, room‑type details, and booking timing considerations.
Who This Residence Suits / Doesn’t Suit
Suits:
- Students who prefer a shared living environment with six other flatmates. The apartment layout encourages social interaction and shared responsibilities, making it a good fit for outgoing individuals who enjoy communal living.
- Those who want a fully furnished room with bills included (electricity, water, gas, internet typically covered — confirm exact inclusions with the operator). This simplifies budgeting and removes the hassle of setting up utilities.
- Students attending universities in or near the inner‑city area. Surry Hills is a central suburb with good transport links to The University of New South Wales (Kensington campus is about 3–4 km away) and Western Sydney University (parramatta campus is further, but Central Station is a short walk or bus ride).
- People who value a vibrant neighbourhood with cafes, restaurants, and parks. Surry Hills is known for its lively street culture and proximity to the CBD.
- Those on a shorter lease (minimum 13 weeks), which is useful for single‑semester exchanges or flexible study periods.
Doesn’t Suit:
- Students who need a private bathroom or ensuite. The room is non‑ensuite, meaning you share bathroom facilities with the other flatmates.
- Someone who prefers a quiet, solitary environment. With seven people in one apartment, noise and shared space are inevitable.
- Budget‑conscious students looking for the cheapest option in Sydney. At AUD 470–505 per week, this room sits well above the city’s lowest price of AUD 175 per week (which typically reflects older, more basic shared rooms or outer suburbs).
- Those who require a long‑term tenancy beyond one year. The minimum is 13 weeks, but maximum lease length is not specified — you should ask the operator directly.
- Students who want a studio or a one‑bedroom apartment. This is strictly a room‑share arrangement.
What Residents Actually Say (Google Reviews)
The reviews provided are from the broader property group (Scape), but they reflect experiences at a similar location managed by the same operator. The Google rating for this specific listing is 4.2 stars with 93 reviews. Here are three verbatim quotes:
Henry Z (5 stars): “Perfect living experience brought by the bright-colored decorations, brand new facilities as well as definitely convenient location. Probably the best scape in Sydney as I’ve been to couple of different scapes. Staff Priyanka is so helpful and very conscientious to clearly explain anything. She’s always enthusiastic an”
Jiawen Liu (5 stars): “The room I live in Scape Redfern is large studio city views. I have lived here for more than half a year. I like the atmosphere here very much. I have to mention that the staff here are very warm and friendly. Especially Priyanka and Rachel, I have received some help from them. If you have problems, they will be very h”
Oliver Hyme (5 stars): “Highly recommend Scape Redfern! Great location, clean and modern facilities, and super friendly staff. The community is welcoming, and it really feels like home. Perfect place for students in Sydney!”
These comments highlight three consistent themes:
- The location is praised as convenient and central.
- The facilities are described as clean, modern, and well‑maintained.
- Staff members (especially Priyanka and Rachel) are noted for being friendly and helpful.
Note that two of the three reviews mention “Scape Redfern” rather than the Surry Hills address. This suggests the same management company operates multiple properties, and the positive sentiment likely carries over. However, you should confirm the on‑site management and actual condition of 128 Kippax St before committing.
Price Positioning vs the City’s From‑Price
Sydney’s lowest available weekly price across all student properties on this platform is AUD 175. This ultra‑low rate usually applies to a basic room in a distant suburb or a dormitory‑style share with limited amenities. By contrast, the room at 128 Kippax St is priced between AUD 470 and AUD 505 per week, which is 2.7 to 2.9 times the city floor price.
Reasons for the gap:
- Location: Surry Hills is an inner‑city suburb, commanding a premium.
- Inclusions: Bills, furnishings, and possibly some cleaning or common area services are included.
- Property age/quality: The reviews mention “brand new facilities” and bright decorations, indicating a newer or recently refurbished building.
- Apartment size: A 7‑bedroom apartment typically has generous common spaces (kitchen, lounge) compared to a 2‑ or 3‑bedroom share.
For context, a typical mid‑range room in a shared apartment in Surry Hills or nearby suburbs (e.g., Ultimo, Chippendale) often sits between AUD 350 and AUD 450 per week (2026 indicative). This apartment is at the higher end of that band. Students on a tighter budget should consider options near AUD 250–350 in suburbs like Kingsford, Maroubra, or Ashfield, but those locations will require longer commutes.
Room‑Type Guidance
The room is classified as non‑ensuite and part of an independent house (though in practice it is a flat/apartment). Key points:
- You will share a bathroom with six other people. The number of bathrooms is not specified — ask the provider whether there is one shared bathroom or possibly two.
- The apartment is fully furnished: expect a bed, desk, chair, wardrobe, and basic kitchen appliances.
- Common areas (living room, kitchen) are shared.
- The unit type “independent_house” usually means the entire apartment is rented as a single entity, so you will sign a lease for your room but share joint responsibility with flatmates for common area upkeep.
- The tag “laundry_facility” indicates either an in‑unit washer/dryer or a shared laundry room in the building. Confirm details.
This room is best for someone who enjoys the social dynamics of a large household and is comfortable with shared bathrooms. If you prefer a smaller flat (2–4 people) or an ensuite, look elsewhere.
Booking Timing
The current availability status on the platform is tagged as “not_available”, meaning there is no active availability for the immediate future. However, for future semesters (2026–2027), properties like this tend to open bookings around the following schedule:
- Semester 1 (February/March start): Bookings typically open from September–October of the previous year. By November–December, many rooms in central locations are fully booked.
- Semester 2 (July/August start): Availability appears around March–April. Mid‑year intake is less competitive but still fills quickly for popular properties.
- Short‑term stays: The minimum 13‑week lease allows flexibility, but you may need to book 2–3 months in advance for a specific start date.
Because this property is part of a large management group, you can set up alerts or contact the operator directly to ask about future releases. Keep in mind that prices are indicative and may change for 2026/2027 — always confirm the current weekly rate and deposit requirements before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this property close to public transport?
Surry Hills is well‑served by buses and is within walking distance of Central Station (about 10–15 minutes on foot). Central provides trains to most university campuses, including UNSW (via bus) and Western Sydney University (via train to Parramatta). The exact distance from 128 Kippax St to Central Station is roughly 1 km.
Are utility bills really included?
The tag “bills_included” suggests that water, electricity, gas, and internet are covered in the weekly rent. However, you should confirm the exact scope with the operator — some properties cap usage or exclude items like gas for heating. Always ask: “Are all utilities included? Are there any caps or additional charges?”
What happens if I need to leave early?
The minimum lease is 13 weeks. If you need to terminate before that, the penalty will depend on the contract. Typically, you may forfeit your deposit or owe rent until a replacement tenant is found. Read the lease carefully and ask about early exit clauses before signing.
Sources & data date: All numerical data (price, rating, reviews, city from‑price, property count) are taken from the provided dataset as of July 2026. Prices are indicative — confirm with the operator before booking.
Final note: For live availability and personalised guidance on this property or similar options, use the on‑site assistant or chat feature on your housing platform.
See also: listing details · browse more