Who This Residence Suits
Rooming Houses, 6 Archibald Street, Box Hill is a shared residential property in Melbourne’s eastern suburb of Box Hill. It offers non-ensuite rooms and apartments, making it a potential option for students who prioritise affordability and a suburban location over modern finishes or premium service. The property has a 3.0 Google rating from two reviews, with one detailed negative review. Currently tagged as not available, the listing does not display weekly prices – indicative pricing should be confirmed with the operator.
This residence may suit:
- Students who want to live in Box Hill, a major activity centre with its own train station, shopping centres, and a large Asian-Australian community. Box Hill is about 14 km east of Melbourne’s CBD and well-connected by train (approx. 30 minutes to Flinders Street Station).
- Those who need a room in a house-style setting rather than a purpose‑built student tower. The property includes both non‑ensuite rooms (shared bathroom) and self-contained apartments, offering a range of privacy levels.
- Individuals who are flexible about room standards and are comfortable handling their own utility bills – the only available review notes residents pay for utilities separately.
- Anyone who cannot commit to a fixed move‑in date yet. The listing does not specify a minimum lease term or earliest availability, so it may suit students looking for short‑term or flexible arrangements, though this must be confirmed directly.
Who This Residence Does Not Suit
This residence is unlikely to be a good fit for:
- Students who expect high-quality construction and responsive management. The sole Google review (by Romil, rating 1/5) states: “The construction quality is very poor and we have to pay our own utilities The landlord and other agents are very rude and dismissive to everyone’s concerns in general”. This suggests significant dissatisfaction with both the physical condition and the operator’s attitude.
- Individuals who need an on‑campus or city‑fringe location. Box Hill is a suburban centre; travel to RMIT University (mentioned as a reference university) takes roughly 35–45 minutes by train and tram. Students with early morning classes or heavy timetables may find this commute inconvenient.
- Anyone who wants all‑inclusive rent with no extra bills. The review explicitly mentions paying utilities separately, so the weekly rent likely covers only the room – electricity, gas, water, and internet may come at an additional cost.
- Students who rely on published price data. As the listing has no min_price or max_price, and the property’s current availability status is “not_available”, it cannot be compared directly with other options without operator confirmation. This lack of transparency makes planning difficult.
What Residents Actually Say
Only one verified Google review is available for this property. It is uniformly negative and provides the most direct insight into the lived experience.
Romil (Rating: 1/5) – “The construction quality is very poor and we have to pay our own utilities The landlord and other agents are very rude and dismissive to everyone’s concerns in general”
Key themes from this review:
- Construction quality: Described as “very poor”. This likely affects soundproofing, fixtures, general maintenance, and comfort.
- Cost structure: Utilities are not included. This means the weekly rent is only part of the total housing cost; the resident must budget separately for electricity, gas, water, and possibly internet.
- Management: The landlord and agents are called “very rude and dismissive”. The reviewer feels that resident concerns are not taken seriously. This is a critical red flag for anyone who values responsive property management.
Because there are only two Google reviews (with one visible), the sample size is too small to draw a balanced picture. However, the single detailed complaint is strong enough to warrant caution. No positive reviews have been published.
Price Positioning vs. the City’s From‑Price
The Melbourne student‑housing market on this platform shows a city‑wide from‑price of 219 AUD per week (indicative – confirm with the operator). This is the lowest listed weekly rent among all properties in Melbourne.
Rooming Houses, 6 Archibald Street does not display a weekly price. Without confirmation from the operator, it is impossible to state whether its rent falls below, at, or above the 219 AUD benchmark. Given that Box Hill is a moderately priced suburb compared to inner‑city areas, and that the property is a rooming house (typically budget accommodations), it might be priced around or slightly above the city’s from‑price. However, the additional cost of utilities – which the review confirms residents pay – means the effective weekly outlay could be 30–60 AUD higher than the advertised rent.
Comparison tip: If you are comparing properties, always ask the operator for a full breakdown of included and excluded costs. The 219 AUD from‑price figure represents the lowest starting rent among 137 listed properties in Melbourne; it does not guarantee that this residence is cheaper.
Room‑Type Guidance
The listing classifies its unit types as:
- Non‑ensuite: A room in a shared house with a communal bathroom (and likely shared kitchen/living areas). Best suited for students who are social and want to keep rent low, but who accept less privacy.
- Apartment: Self‑contained accommodation with private bathroom and kitchen. This type would usually cost more and is appropriate for students who prioritise privacy and independence.
No floor plans or specific room sizes are provided. When contacting the operator, you should ask:
- Whether the apartment is a studio or one‑bedroom.
- How many people share the non‑ensuite bathroom and kitchen.
- Whether the property is fully furnished and what appliances are included.
- Whether any rooms face noisy roads (Archibald Street is a local road, but Box Hill has some traffic).
Booking Timing
Because the property is currently tagged as “not_available”, it is not open for immediate booking. This could mean that all rooms are occupied, or that the operator has paused new tenancies for maintenance or management reasons.
If you are interested in this residence for the 2026 or 2027 academic year, the following timing guidelines apply:
- Melbourne semesters: Semester 1 typically starts in late February/early March; Semester 2 in late July. Most students begin searching 3–6 months before their intended move‑in date.
- For a February 2026 start: Start looking in October–November 2025. Bids on available rooms usually peak around November–December.
- For a July 2026 start: Begin inquiring in March–April 2026.
- When the property becomes available again: Monitor the listing or contact the operator directly. Because there is no indicated availability date, your best strategy is to set a reminder to check back monthly.
Given the negative review and the lack of pricing, you may want to consider this residence only after inspecting it in person (or via a trusted friend) and after getting a written cost breakdown. If the operator cannot provide a clear move‑in timeline, move on to other options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the rent inclusive of all bills?
Based on the only resident review, utilities (e.g., electricity, gas, water) are not included in the rent. The reviewer explicitly says “we have to pay our own utilities”. You should confirm with the operator exactly which costs are covered and get a written estimate of average monthly utility bills before signing any lease.
How far is the property from RMIT University?
The reference university in this dataset is RMIT University (City campus). Rooming Houses, 6 Archibald Street is in Box Hill, approximately 14 km east of Melbourne’s CBD. Taking a train from Box Hill Station to Flinders Street Station then walking or tramming to RMIT’s Swanston Street buildings takes roughly 35–45 minutes. Driving during peak traffic can take 40–60 minutes. Bicycle travel is possible but hilly in parts.
What documents do I need to apply?
Application requirements vary by operator. Generally, in Victoria, rental applications require:
- Proof of identity (passport or Australian driver licence).
- Proof of enrolment (for students).
- Evidence of income or a guarantor (if you cannot show sufficient funds).
- Previous rental references.
You should ask the operator for their specific application checklist. Since the property is currently unavailable, you can still prepare these documents in advance so that you can apply quickly when availability returns.
Sources & Data Date
Data used in this article is sourced from the platform’s listing (last updated 2026-07). The city from‑price of 219 AUD per week is an indicative figure from 137 Melbourne properties; always confirm current rent with the operator. The Google review was captured on the same date.
For live availability and current pricing, please use the on‑site assistant to contact the property operator directly – they can provide up‑to‑date information and help you with the booking process.
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