The rental market has gone completely mental, and I’m not just talking about the prices. I’ve been reading through some discussions about the absurd amount of personal information real estate agents are demanding from prospective tenants these days, and honestly, it’s left me equal parts frustrated and genuinely concerned about where we’re heading as a society.

Someone mentioned they were asked for their social media accounts during a rental application in Melbourne’s CBD. Social media accounts. Think about that for a moment. We’re talking about handing over the keys to your digital life just for the privilege of paying someone else’s mortgage. What’s next? DNA samples? A detailed psychological profile? Your browser history?

The latest FCC decision about landlords and internet service providers has sparked quite a discussion online, though I must say the headlines floating around are more dramatic than the reality. What’s really happening is the FCC has decided not to ban bulk billing arrangements for internet services in rental properties - essentially maintaining the status quo we’ve been living with for years.

Living in an apartment complex in South Yarra, I’m quite familiar with this dance. Our building came pre-wired for a specific provider, and while technically we could request another ISP to come in and install their infrastructure, good luck getting that approved by the body corporate. It’s reminiscent of the NBN rollout drama, just on a smaller scale.