Published by Yahoo7 News, August 23rd, 2017
Two Sydney neighbours have revealed the “unliveable” conditions of their flats, owned by former Socceroo Jason Culina’s company, that they later discovered were illegally built.
Two Sydney neighbours have revealed the “unliveable” conditions of their flats, owned by former Socceroo Jason Culina’s company, that they later discovered were illegally built.
Neighbours David Ludowici and Rebecca Kennedy were collectively paying more than $1100 a week in rent for their homes in inner-city Enmore owned by Mr Culina’s company Eighty80.
But the two 34-year-olds said the apartments were full of faults including ceiling leaks, which they claim caused thousands of dollars in damages.
The issues with the apartment prevented Mr Ludowici from sub-letting a second room, forcing him to pay the $695 a week rent alone.
Two Sydney neighbours have revealed the “unliveable” conditions of their flats, owned by former Socceroo Jason Culina’s company, that they later discovered were illegally built.
Neighbours David Ludowici and Rebecca Kennedy were collectively paying more than $1100 a week in rent for their homes in inner-city Enmore owned by Mr Culina’s company Eighty80.
But the two 34-year-olds said the apartments were full of faults including ceiling leaks, which they claim caused thousands of dollars in damages.
The issues with the apartment prevented Mr Ludowici from sub-letting a second room, forcing him to pay the $695 a week rent alone.
While gathering dozens of photos and video showing poor workmanship throughout his apartment as evidence, Mr Ludowici discovered his neighbour's $435 a-week apartment was illegally built.
Following an inspection, Inner West Council fined Mr Culina's company $6000 because the one approved apartment had been "converted into two self-contained apartments".
The penalty notice issued in July stated the "building work has been unlawfully carried out".
Approved as only one three-bedroom apartment, Mr Culina's company was renting it out as two smaller flats, with one unapproved kitchen and numerous fire-code breaches.
Mr Ludowici began reporting his leaking roof and other building defects to Belle Property Newtown in January but he said only "patch jobs" were carried out.
After several tradesmen inspected his and Ms Kennedy's apartments on July 20, the two neighbours were told their leases would not be extended beyond the current rental term.
In his termination notice, the Belle real estate agent informed Mr Ludowici he still needed to pay the $5560 remaining on the lease. Ms Kennedy was told to pay the $2822 due up to her "vacate date".
“It's unimaginable,” he told Yahoo!7 News about having to pay rent for the house he said was ”unliveable”.
“And to find out that it's illegal doesn't help.”
Mr Ludowici is now seeking more than $23,000 in damages through the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) from Mr Culina's company for property damage and money lost because he could not sublet the second bedroom.
Ms Kennedy is seeking more than $15,000 compensation.
Discharged from the Royal Australian Navy with a back injury, the former officer said his housing nightmares have hindered his rehabilitation.
“Obviously I'd like to start and get myself healthy but this has taken over my life,” he said.
On one occasion Ms Kennedy almost missed a flight to the US when the “shoddy lock” on her bedroom seized and she couldn’t get her passport.
Council noted numerous breaches to the fire code throughout the flats built on top of a takeaway chicken shop, which the tenants said brought added safety risks.
“That stress, that constant disruption, that worry – it's taking up mental space,” Ms Kennedy said.
“[It’s] ridiculous living in a tiny place and paying ‘x’ amount of money and you can't even live there.”
Mr Ludowici has tossed out furniture and food – plus a sopping mattress and a stack of comic books soaked by leaks.
“It was new. It was clean and it was dry,” he said about first impressions of the place. “And that's why I was willing to pay little bit more.”
Despite several attempts to gain comment from Mr Culina and Eighty80, the company and its lawyers declined to comment.
Mr Culina, the current Sydney United coach, meanwhile had a huge windfall when he sold his Putney home earlier this year.
A spokesman for Belle Property said the agents were not aware the two apartments were illegal when initially rented, and said that appropriate action was taken to ensure repairs were carried out.
He said while Belle is representing Mr Culina at the tribunal, ultimately it’s the landlord and the tenant in the room.
“We’re certainly empathetic to what the tenants have gone through and are hoping to come to a reasonable outcome and a respectful outcome,” the spokesman said.
However the tenants said there has been a “lack of compassion” throughout the process being dragged out further at the NCAT.
“Why have I got two agents going to the tribunal to fight me when I couldn't get one to help me?” Mr Ludowici said.
Ms Kennedy said, “As a renter you're treated like a second class citizen.”
Greens MP for Newtown Jenny Leong told Yahoo!7 News renters have been forgotten in the debate surrounding housing affordability.
“Renters deserve stability, security and decent living conditions,” Ms Leong said.
“Many people who rent, live in fear of being thrown out of their home for no reason, even when they pay rent on time and look after the property.
“These laws are unfair and out of date.”
The local member said the Greens are proposing an amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act to ensure renters are given more security in an area they claim is in need of desperate reform.
Nicholas McCallum