Room in a 4 Bedroom Apartment, 36 William Henry Street, Ultimo – Decision Review
This property is a room within a four‑bedroom apartment on William Henry Street in Ultimo, about 500 m from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) main campus and a 15‑minute walk to Central Station. The listing shows a weekly rent range of AUD 275–540, covering bills. Before evaluating whether this residence fits your needs, note the data: the city’s lowest‑priced student room starts at AUD 175/week (indicative — confirm with the operator), and Sydney has 141 other student properties listed. The reviews (3.7 stars on Google, 21 reviews) come from three residents. Below is a balanced assessment.
Who This Residence Suits
Students prioritising location and all‑inclusive costs
The apartment sits in central Ultimo, directly between the Broadway Shopping Centre (5‑minute walk) and the UTS campus (walking distance under 10 minutes). For students at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), the light rail from Central Station (15‑minute walk) reaches Kensington in about 20 minutes. Western Sydney University students would need 40–50 minutes by train. The inclusion of utility bills in the weekly rent removes the common hassle of splitting electricity or internet — a clear advantage for those who want a fixed monthly housing cost.
Residents comfortable with shared living (non‑ensuite, independent house style)
This is a room in a 4‑bedroom apartment with a shared bathroom. The “independent_house” tag means the apartment is likely a self‑contained unit within a larger building. If you are used to sharing a kitchen, living area, and bathroom with three other people, the structure is straightforward. The property has a courtyard, a laundry facility (likely shared), and bills included — all features that suit students who want a basic, no‑frills flat close to campus.
Budget‑conscious students who can accept the low end of the price range
At AUD 275/week on the lower end, this is above the city’s from‑price of 175 (indicative — confirm with the operator) but sits near the median for central Sydney. If you book early or during off‑peak, the actual rate may land closer to 275. Those who need to keep costs below, say, AUD 250/week will need to look further from the city (e.g., Newtown, Chippendale shared houses starting from 200‑250). However, if you value the convenience of Ultimo’s walkable access to shops, transport, and campus, 275–300 is competitive.
Students willing to commit for at least 13 weeks
The minimum lease is 13 weeks — suitable for a semester or short‑term study abroad period. If you need a shorter term (6–10 weeks), this property likely won’t work.
Who This Residence Does Not Suit
Students requiring an en‑suite or a private bathroom
The room is non‑ensuite. You will share a bathroom with three other flatmates. If privacy in the shower/toilet is a must, look for studios or apartments with an en‑suite — those typically start from AUD 350–400/week in Ultimo.
Those expecting high‑quality management and responsive service
Two of the three Google reviews flag serious operational issues. Ava Cavalerie rates it 1 star, writing: “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…” Cheong Lin Li gives 2 stars: “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 are real complaints — pest issues, broken HVAC, unhelpful staff. If you cannot risk such problems, consider properties with higher Google ratings (4.0+) and recent positive feedback.
Students who need a quiet, pest‑free environment from move‑in
The review mentions cockroaches and fruit flies. Even if this was an isolated case, it suggests maintenance might be reactive rather than preventive. If you are sensitive to hygiene or have allergies, look for properties with dedicated cleaning schedules.
Budget‑conscious students aiming for the absolute lowest price
At 275/week minimum, this is 57% higher than Sydney’s cheapest student listing (175). While Ultimo is a premium location, cheaper options exist in suburbs like Burwood, Hurstville, or Parramatta (Western Sydney University campuses nearby). If your main goal is saving money, you can find shared rooms or non‑ensuite rooms for 180‑220/week in those areas (indicative — confirm with the operator).
What Residents Actually Say
The three Google reviews provide a mixed picture. Here they are verbatim (unedited, only truncated where the original data ended):
John Mayer (5 stars)
“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…” – This positive experience emphasises location and convenience, but note the building had been recently renovated at that time — the current condition may differ.
Ava Cavalerie (1 star)
“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” – This review highlights serious pest and maintenance problems, plus poor communication.
Cheong Lin Li (2 stars)
“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. 🫠” – The reviewer found the rooms acceptable but the front desk service unreliable.
Overall takeaway: The 3.7‑star average (21 reviews) is modest. The positive review emphasises location; the negative ones point to management, pest control, and maintenance. Future residents should verify pest history and request a current condition report before committing.
Price Positioning vs City From‑Price
- Sydney entry‑level student room: AUD 175/week (indicative — confirm with the operator). That likely refers to a shared room or a room in a distant suburb.
- This property: 275–540/week (indicative — confirm with the operator). The low end (275) is 57% above the city minimum but is typical for a central‑city room in a 4‑bedroom apartment. The high end (540) is near the top of Sydney’s market for shared apartments — usually only studios or en‑suite rooms reach that price. With 141 other properties in Sydney, you can find many non‑ensuite rooms between 250 and 350 in Chippendale, Newtown, or Glebe (all within 2–3 km of Ultimo).
Comparison example: A non‑ensuite room in a nearby shared apartment (e.g., Chippendale) might list for 250–300/week. This property’s 275–540 spread suggests the same unit type can vary widely by floor, view, or lease start date. Ask the operator for a fixed quote for your preferred move‑in date.
Room‑Type Guidance
The listing describes “Room in a 4 Bedroom Apartment” with tags “non_ensuite” and “independent_house”. “Independent_house” often means the apartment is a self‑contained flat within a larger building (not a dormitory). The shared spaces will be: kitchen, living/dining, laundry (common), courtyard. The room itself is a private bedroom — no private bathroom, no private kitchen. Students who need a private bathroom should filter for “ensuite” properties. Those who want a studio (own kitchen and bathroom) would need to pay significantly more (typically 450‑700/week in Ultimo).
What to ask before booking:
- Which floor is the room on? (the high‑end 540 may be a larger room or a top floor)
- Is the room furnished? (most student rooms in Sydney are, but verify)
- Are the bills capped or unlimited? (bills included usually covers water, electricity, gas, internet — but confirm the internet speed)
Booking Timing Considerations
The property is currently tagged “not_available”. This could mean it is fully occupied, under maintenance, or temporarily offline. Even if it becomes available later, note these points:
- Minimum 13‑week lease: Book at least two months before your intended start date to secure a slot. Many student rooms in Ultimo get booked for Semester 1 (February) by November of the previous year.
- Price variation: The 275–540 range may depend on demand. Off‑peak start dates (e.g., May, July) often have lower prices. Peak (February, July) push towards the upper end.
- Review pattern: The negative reviews date from different periods — ask the current operator if management has changed since those reviews. Request a virtual tour of the actual room, not a show flat.
FAQ
What is the minimum lease period?
The listing states a minimum lease of 13 weeks. That equates to roughly one university term (quarter). If you need a shorter stay (e.g., 6–8 weeks), this property is not suitable; look for short‑stay studios or homestay options.
Are bills included? What about internet?
Yes, the tag “bills_included” indicates that utilities (electricity, water, gas) are covered in the weekly rent. Internet is likely included too, but confirm the speed. The negative review from Cheong Lin Li mentioned wifi login issues — ask for troubleshooting support in advance.
How close is this to the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and Western Sydney University?
- UNSW (Kensington campus): Walk 15 minutes to Central Station, then take light rail L2/L3 to UNSW (approx. 20 minutes total). Or walk to the bus stop on Broadway (routes 370, 348) — about 30 minutes door‑to‑door.
- Western Sydney University (Parramatta or Penrith): Not practical for daily commute by foot. From Central Station, take a train to Parramatta (35 minutes) or Penrith (55 minutes). Consider properties closer to those campuses if you are attending WSU.
Sources & data date: 2026‑07. All prices are indicative — confirm with the operator.
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