Bruce Lehrmann’s landlord hands him huge bill after he partied hard before judge branded him a rapist
Bruce Lehrmann’s former landlord is trying to hit him with a huge bill over the “extensive damage” he allegedly caused to her multimillion-dollar Sydney property, claiming she couldn’t re-rent it when he left.
Lehrmann, 28, left the luxury three-bedroom home in Balgowlah, on Sydney’s northern beaches, in early April when his deal with Channel Seven for a year’s accommodation at $2000 a week came to an end.
He then moved to another mansion in North Sydney with a friend, but that was short-lived as the neighbors were furious complained about wild parties, “screaming” girls and Tina Turner karaoke.
In May, Balgowlah owner Lady Gaenor Meakes launched a case in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) against Lehrmann for damages and financial loss because he left three weeks before the lease expired.
Lehrmann’s name was on the lease, but his bills were paid by Channel Seven’s finance department.
He failed to show up at a conciliation session at the Sydney tribunal on Thursday, organized to help resolve the dispute, because Lady Meakes had been unable to find him to provide him with the documents.
Lady Meakes told the tribunal she could not rent the house after Lehrmann left due to the ‘cleaning that needed to be done’, but Daily Mail Australia can reveal the property was relisted on rental sites on Tuesday for $2250 a week.
Bruce Lehrmann is pictured on the balcony of his former rental home in Balgowlah in December 2023
Lady Gaenor Meakes filed a case in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal earlier in May
Pictured: The luxury Balgowlah property, estimated to be worth $4 million, is available to rent for $2,250 per week
The price has almost doubled since the rental was first advertised in May 2023 at $1300. It was understood Channel Seven was paying an increased rate of $2000 per week to cover Lehrmann’s utilities.
According to the new rental list, ‘no expense has been spared’.
‘The property has perfect aspect and stunning views of Manly,’ it says.
‘Designed over three levels, with an emphasis on space, there are two master bedrooms (both with ensuite bathrooms) and one also contains a wellness area for yoga, an infrared sauna and a dedicated home study/office space.
‘Entertaining is made easy with a chef’s kitchen and open plan living/dining area, all designed to enjoy the expansive views.’
Lady Meakes is married to champion sailor Mark Richards, skipper of Wild Oats XI, nine-time line honors winner of the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht race – sponsored by Channel Seven.
Mr Richards transferred the property to his wife after they bought it for $2.4 million in 2019. The property is now worth an estimated $4 million.
Pictured: The master bedroom at Lady Meakes’ Balgowlah estate
The property (pictured) has three bedrooms, three bathrooms and parking for two cars
The house (photo) has water views, two balconies and a private courtyard
During the hearing on Thursday, Lady Meakes told the tribunal she tried to send the NCAT documents to Lehrmann’s defamation lawyers Mark O’Brien Legal in Sydney, but the package was returned to the sender, The Australian reported.
Lehrmann is believed to have fled NSW after losing his defamation case in the federal court against Lisa Wilkinson and Network Ten in April, and has no fixed address.
Lady Meakes was given permission to provide Lehrmann with the documents via email.
When asked how long it would take for her to send him the paperwork, Lady Meakes told the tribunal: ‘I have quite a lot of documents.’
When contacted for comment on Friday, Lehrmann referred to the national housing crisis and accused Lady Meakes of ‘kicking a dog while it is down’.
“I can certainly sympathize with all those who have had to deal with entitled landlords in this cost of living crisis,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
Bruce Lehrmann is pictured in an episode of Channel Seven’s Spotlight programme
‘Otherwise I’m not going to publicize this in the media, as they seem to want.
“Talk about kicking a dog while he’s down.”
Lehrmann is already facing millions of dollars in legal fees following his spectacular defamation loss on April 15.
He had filed a lawsuit over an interview Wilkinson did with Brittany Higgins on The Project in 2021, in which she alleged Lehrmann raped her at Parliament House in 2019.
Lehrmann, who had denied the attack, was not named on the broadcast but he claimed friends and colleagues were able to identify him as Ms Higgins’ rapist.
However, Judge Michael Lee found on a balance of probabilities that Lehrmann had raped Ms Higgins in the manner she described in her interview.
He is now facing bankruptcy to cover the legal bills for the winning parties, which is expected to exceed $2 million.
Lehrmann has until May 31 to appeal Judge Lee’s decision.