Room in a 7 Bedroom Apartment, 603 Harris Street, Ultimo – Decision Review
This 7‑bedroom shared apartment at 603 Harris Street, Ultimo, is listed on AmberStudent and offers both ensuite and non‑ensuite rooms plus an independent house option. It is available from 11 July 2026 with a minimum lease of 13 weeks. Weekly rent ranges from 355 to 570 AUD (indicative — confirm with the operator). The property has a Google rating of 3.7 from 21 reviews, with internal dimension scores of 5 for staff, social, cleaning, internet and location, but only 3.5 for amenities and 5 for value for money.
Who This Residence Suits
This property works best for students who prioritise walking distance to campus and city convenience. Ultimo is a well‑connected inner‑city suburb; the building is a 5‑minute walk to Broadway Shopping Centre and about 15 minutes to Central Station. One reviewer, John Mayer, noted that being able to walk to campus meant he was never late to class. For someone who wants to avoid daily train commutes and values proximity to shops, cafes and transport, the Harris Street location is a strong draw.
The residence also suits residents who are comfortable in a large shared household. With seven bedrooms, the apartment has a communal feel, and the property includes a courtyard, TV and laundry facilities. The internal staff and social scores are both 5, suggesting that the management team (when present) is helpful and that the communal dynamic can be positive. If you enjoy meeting housemates and don’t mind a busy shared environment, this could be a good fit.
Rent‑wise, the property sits above Sydney’s city‑wide weekly from‑price of 175 AUD (indicative) but falls in the mid‑range for a fully furnished share house in Ultimo. The 355–570 AUD band offers flexibility: the lower end likely corresponds to a non‑ensuite room, while the upper end would be an ensuite or the independent house. Budget‑conscious students on a very tight budget might find the minimum 355 AUD slightly high compared to some other shared rooms in the city, but for the location and the fact that utilities are typically included in student accommodation (confirm with operator), the price is competitive.
Who This Residence Does NOT Suit
This property clearly has issues that could make it a poor choice for certain people. The most notable are cleanliness and maintenance problems described in two of the three posted reviews. Ava Cavalerie reported cockroaches in her room, persistent fruit flies in hallways and a non‑functional air‑conditioning/heater that turned off every few minutes. Cheong Lin Li added that the front desk was often unstaffed during breaks, forcing long waits and self‑service for issues like WiFi login. If you have a low tolerance for pest concerns, unreliable heating/cooling or indifferent reception service, this residence may cause frustration.
The property is also on a 13‑week minimum lease, which is fairly short for a standard semester but may still feel inflexible for someone who only needs a few weeks or who wants month‑to‑month flexibility. Additionally, the shared 7‑bedroom layout means limited privacy; if you prefer a smaller household or a studio, look elsewhere.
Finally, the rating dimensions show amenities at 3.5 – the lowest dimension – indicating that common facilities (e.g., gym, study spaces, common room quality) may be mediocre. The absence of a deposit mentioned in the listing could also raise a question: confirm what bond or deposit is required before booking.
What Residents Actually Say
The three Google reviews paint a mixed picture. One is very positive, two are strongly negative.
John Mayer (5 stars) wrote:
“I stayed at Unilodge for over a year while finishing my studies. It’s in a great location, 5 minute walk to the Broadway shops, 15 minutes to Central. Also being to walk to campus instead of take a train was great, I was never late to class. The building was newly renovated when I moved in so I was the first person to…” (review cut off, but clearly praises location and renovation).
Ava Cavalerie (1 star) wrote:
“Genuinely the worst experience. Overpriced, rude staff, and extremely exploitative. I moved in and found cockroaches in my room. The hallways and room was constantly filled with fruit flies, the air conditioning/ heater turns off every few minutes and don’t actually work. They never communicated with me yet kept almost…” (review cut off, but details specific problems).
Cheong Lin Li (2 stars) wrote:
“Rooms decent but don’t bother trying to wait for the receptionist to come out if there’s a break sign. They do not show up. Had to wait all afternoon to get my room card. Not all that helpful either I had to figure out the wifi login error myself. 🫠”
These reviews suggest that while the location and room condition (post‑renovation) can be excellent, the operational side – maintenance, pest control, staff availability – is inconsistent. If you do consider this property, it would be wise to ask the operator directly about current pest treatment schedules, HVAC maintenance, and front desk hours.
Price Positioning vs the City’s From-Price
Sydney’s weekly from‑price for student housing on AmberStudent is 175 AUD (indicative — confirm with the operator). This listing’s range of 355–570 AUD is significantly above that floor. However, the city average includes many budget options (e.g., older shared houses in outer suburbs or basic dorm‑style rooms). For a property in Ultimo – a prime inner‑city area within walking distance of major universities and transport hubs – 355 AUD for a non‑ensuite room is reasonable. The upper end of 570 AUD is high and may correspond to the largest ensuite or the independent house option.
Compared to the 141 properties listed in Sydney on the platform, this property sits in the mid‑to‑upper tier for a shared apartment. If you need the lowest possible rent, you can find rooms from 175/week, but they will typically be further from the city centre. If you want the convenience of Ultimo and don’t mind sharing with six others, the 355–570 range is competitive.
Room Type Guidance
The listing offers three unit types: non‑ensuite, ensuite, and independent house.
- Non‑ensuite (shared bathroom): Likely the cheaper end of the 355–570 range. Suitable if you are comfortable sharing a bathroom with housemates and want to save money.
- Ensuite: Private bathroom inside your room. This will be at the higher end of the price range (around 500–570 AUD). Best for those who value privacy and don’t want to queue for the bathroom.
- Independent house: This could be a separate self‑contained unit within the same building or a small house. It is the most expensive option and offers the most privacy. Confirm the exact layout with the operator.
The property is available from 11 July 2026, which aligns with the start of the second semester or a mid‑year intake. The minimum 13‑week lease (about 3 months) is shorter than a full semester; you can extend if needed but must check availability.
Booking Timing
Given that the property has had mixed reviews and a relatively small number of reviews (21), it is not a high‑demand property in the same way as popular student villages. However, because it offers multiple room types and is located in Ultimo, rooms are likely to fill up for the July 2026 intake. To avoid disappointment, consider booking at least 2–3 months in advance – around April or May 2026. If you are flexible with room type, you may find availability closer to the start date, but the best rooms (ensuite, independent) could go early.
If you are arriving in Sydney in July 2026 for studies, aim to secure your room by early June at the latest. This gives time to arrange payment and move‑in logistics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How reliable is the property’s maintenance and cleanliness?
Based on resident reviews, there are significant concerns. One reviewer reported cockroaches, fruit flies and faulty air conditioning. Another mentioned that the front desk often disappears during break times. However, a third review praised the newly renovated building. It appears that maintenance issues exist but may vary by room or over time. You should ask the operator about their current pest control schedule, HVAC history, and whether you can view the actual room before signing.
Is the location convenient for getting around Sydney?
Yes. The property is a 5‑minute walk to Broadway Shopping Centre (with supermarkets, restaurants, and a cinema) and a 15‑minute walk to Central Station. From Central you can reach anywhere in Sydney by train, bus or light rail. The walk to nearby university campuses takes approximately 10–20 minutes depending on your specific destination.
What are the key terms I should confirm before booking?
- Rent: 355–570 AUD per week, including? Ask if utilities (electricity, water, internet) are included.
- Minimum lease: 13 weeks. Check if you can break lease early and under what conditions.
- Deposit: Not listed in the data – confirm the bond amount.
- Room assignment: You may be allocated a specific room within the 7‑bedroom apartment. Confirm whether ensuite or non‑ensuite is guaranteed.
- Check‑in: Available from 11 July 2026. Ask about early check‑in or luggage storage.
Sources & Data Date
All data in this article is sourced from the AmberStudent property listing (ID amber‑1042930) as of July 2026. Prices and availability are indicative — confirm with the operator.
For live availability and to book, use the on‑site assistant on the property page.
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