Landlord’s astonishing act of kindness divides Aussie renters

Aussies are divided over an elderly landlord’s decision to leave the property to his loyal tenant in his will after she had rented the property for 23 years.

The wealthy landlord also left behind an $18 million fortune, which he donated to a local hospital.

“He left me my unit that I had been renting for 23 years, it was amazing,” Jane told the SBS series Inheritance, which originally aired in 2022.

Jane said she and the man had become friends and that he was a “great landlord.”

She saw him once a month when he collected the rent, “and when he became too incapacitated, I would come to his house once a month to pay the rent.”

In 2020, he called Jane and asked her to speak to his lawyer while he was arranging his will.

“He said I just wanted you to give him your full name because I was going to leave the unit to you,” she continued.

‘I just couldn’t believe it because the whole time I knew him he had talked about leaving everything to the hospital.

‘He was an only child and had never married.

‘It was very unexpected, but so great for me. It has completely changed my life.’

However, viewer reactions were mixed when Jane’s story resurfaced on social media this week.

Some pointed out that Jane’s 23-year lease must have paid off the house, while others wondered why the millionaire had to collect rent in the first place.

“Technically she paid off the entire mortgage,” one user said.

“He had millions that he left to the hospital, I seriously doubt he had a mortgage on that machine!” a second pointed out.

“Great story, but people on $18 million don’t need $600 a week from the two-bedroom apartments they rent out,” said a third.

“It’s really wild to see the inequality that exists.”

Jane said her landlord’s decision to leave her changed her life ‘completely’

“Thanks for showing that some landlords aren’t the bad guys,” said one supportive user.

Housing has become a polarizing issue in Australia as many cities struggle with unaffordability.

Investors have drawn the ire of Australians for acquiring huge property portfolios, including 34-year-old Sam Duncan, who owns 108 worth an estimated $48 million.

Mr Duncan told Daily Mail Australia earlier this month that many people do not understand the work he has put in to grow his portfolio over 15 years.

“You have some people who took huge inspiration from (the party video), and then other people who want to throw rocks and try to pull you down,” he said.

‘People now see the end picture and – I’ve done very well for myself in fifteen years – but I’ve been doing this for almost half the time I’ve been alive.

“I think people just need to realize that it’s literally open to anyone to do it (investing in real estate).”