Property Overview and Price Positioning
Located at 259 Cleveland Street in Redfern, this property offers rooms in an eight-bedroom apartment setting. Weekly rents range from AUD 305 to AUD 545 (indicative — confirm with the operator). For context, Sydney’s lowest listing on the platform starts at AUD 175 per week, meaning this residence sits comfortably above the entry-level market. The price gap reflects the inclusion of bills (tagged as “bills_included”), a central Redfern location, and the provision of both ensuite and non-ensuite rooms within a shared apartment.
The property holds a Google rating of 4.4 from 239 reviews. Individual satisfaction dimensions reported by the platform include staff (4.0), location (4.0), value for money (4.0), cleaning (4.0), and internet (4.0). Social environment, community, and amenities each score 3.5, indicating a generally positive but not exceptional experience across common areas.
This is not a stand-alone studio or a purpose-built student village — it is a shared apartment with eight bedrooms. That distinction matters for anyone considering the trade-off between privacy and social interaction.
Who This Residence Suits
The property works well for students who want an established social environment without arranging flatmates from scratch. Living with seven other residents means shared kitchens, bathrooms (unless you book an ensuite), and communal spaces including a courtyard and laundry facility. Reviews consistently highlight community events as a strong point. One resident wrote:
“The community events were honestly the highlight, such a good way to meet people and feel at home.” — Seoyeon Lee, Google review
This suggests that the operator (known to residents as “Iglu Redfern”) organises regular activities that help new arrivals connect. If you are coming to Sydney without a pre-existing social circle and prefer not to isolate yourself in a studio, this format reduces the effort needed to meet people.
The location also suits students attending University of New South Wales or Western Sydney University. Redfern is close to transport links, and the resident noted it was “super easy for uni and groceries”. The area is well served by trains and buses, with multiple supermarkets within walking distance.
The staff responsiveness is another factor. A reviewer mentioned:
“Staff were great and friendly. I was given a full virtual tour of the premises before booking, and then given another tour around during check in. They showed great hospitality and were very helpful through every process, including my early checko” — EEBau11, Google review
This indicates that the management team is proactive during move-in and can accommodate early arrivals if needed.
Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere
The shared-apartment model is not suitable for anyone who requires a private bathroom or a fully self-contained living space — unless you specifically choose an ensuite room (which may be limited and priced at the higher end of the range). If you prefer cooking alone or need quiet study time without interruptions from seven flatmates, this layout may feel crowded.
The minimum lease term is 13 weeks, which is shorter than many standard semester contacts but still a commitment. Short-stay seekers looking for month-to-month flexibility may find this restrictive.
The property is currently tagged as “not_available” on the platform. That could mean all rooms are occupied at the time of writing. If you need immediate move-in, you should confirm availability directly.
Price-sensitive students on a tight budget may find the AUD 305 weekly minimum high compared to Sydney’s cheapest option of AUD 175. However, that AUD 175 listing likely excludes bills or is located farther from the city. If your priority is absolute lowest cost, you can find cheaper shared houses, but they may not include bills or organised community events.
What Residents Actually Say
Three Google reviews are available for this property, all scoring 5 out of 5. While a handful of reviews does not constitute a statistically significant sample, they offer consistent themes.
Community and events — Seoyeon Lee: “The community events were honestly the highlight, such a good way to meet people and feel at home.”
Facilities and convenience — Huiju: “There are many monthly events and it’s so convenient to use various spaces such as gyms and study zones! I get a lot of help from the friendly staff. You can also use the printing service, but it costs from a certain page.”
Staff and move-in experience — EEBau11: “Excellent student accommodation with great in-room and shared facilities. Staff were great and friendly. I was given a full virtual tour of the premises before booking, and then given another tour around during check in.”
No negative reviews appear in this dataset. That does not mean the property has zero issues — it simply means the available reviews are uniformly positive. Prospective residents should still tour (in-person or virtual) and ask about noise levels, cleanliness schedules, and how flatmate disputes are handled.
Room-Type Guidance
The property offers three unit types: non-ensuite, ensuite, and independent house. Given that this is an eight-bedroom apartment, the “independent house” tag likely refers to a different building or configuration within the same complex. For the apartment itself, you will typically choose between:
- Non-ensuite room — shared bathroom with other flatmates. This is likely the entry price point (around AUD 305 weekly).
- Ensuite room — private bathroom. Expect this to be at the higher end of the range (AUD 450–545 weekly).
Bills are included, which simplifies budgeting. However, you should confirm which utilities are covered — some properties include electricity, water, gas, and internet, while others cap internet usage.
The 13-week minimum lease means you cannot book for a shorter period unless the operator has a different policy for specific rooms. If you are planning a full academic year, check whether the lease can be extended after the initial term.
Booking Timing and Availability
Because the property is currently tagged as “not_available”, you should treat this as a listing that may have zero vacancies at the moment. However, rooms can become free as students move out mid-semester. The busiest booking window for Sydney student housing is November through February, ahead of the academic year starting in late February or early March. For mid-year entry (July/August), rooms may open up around May–June.
If you are planning for 2026 or 2027, start your search about 4–6 months before your intended move-in. Contact the operator early, as popular layouts (ensuite, quiet side of the building) tend to fill first.
FAQ
Is this property run by an education institution?
No. The reviews refer to “Iglu Redfern”, which is a private student accommodation provider. This property is not affiliated with any university or college. It is a purpose-built or converted building operated by a commercial entity.
Can I book a room for less than 13 weeks?
The platform lists a minimum lease of 13 weeks. You should confirm directly with the operator whether shorter stays are possible during off-peak periods or at a premium rate. The reviews mention that staff helped with early check-in, which suggests some flexibility, but the lease term itself is stated as 13 weeks minimum.
Are bills really included, and what about internet?
Yes, “bills_included” is listed in the property tags. The review from Huiju mentions using study zones and printing (with a cost from a certain page), implying that general utilities are covered. Internet received a rating of 4.0, so connectivity is likely reliable. Confirm the specific bill coverage (electricity, water, gas, internet) with the operator before signing.
Sources & data date — Information sourced from the amberstudent platform as of July 2026. Prices, availability, and ratings are indicative — confirm with the operator.
For the most up-to-date availability and room options, use the on‑site assistant to check live listings.
See also: listing details · browse more