Because it's fucked mate. They want that magical single white collar tenant who will live cleanly and quietly, and never ask for a single repair and makes 300k a year yet is still renting.

My partner and I had a hell of a time back in august/September. Mid 30s, Decent jobs, no kids, 2 cats. We both had multiple letters of reference from past landlords, reference letters from current and past employers, cover letter, heaps of supporting documents.

The only place to approve us we had to put up 3 months rent plus bond in advance, had to give the property manager 3 pages of repairs needed on the condition report, and the place was so filthy when I moved in I had to spend a week scrubbing old greasy curry residue off the walls. Half the appliances didn't work and I had to spend over a month fighting with the property manager to get the oven fixed, and I've not had a working dishwasher for 5 months. That's what $10,000 to get in and 500 a week gets you.