Albanese evicts tenant as Sydney home lists for $1.9 million

The Prime Minister of Australia has put his three-bedroom home in Dulwich Hill, Sydney, on the market, with an expected auction price of $1.9 million. His long-time tenant, Jim Flanagan, was given a 90-day notice to vacate the property, despite his pleas for the Prime Minister not to sell. Flanagan, who has been struggling with his bar business, expressed disappointment over the situation, especially in light of the government's recent initiatives to assist vulnerable renters. Albanese's decision to sell the property was attributed to 'changing circumstances' in his personal life, including his upcoming wedding. He noted that the property was purchased under different personal circumstances and that he is entitled to make decisions regarding his assets. During the pandemic, he had reduced Flanagan's rent to $680 per week and had not increased it since. Flanagan's search for a new rental comes at a challenging time, as similar properties in the area are expected to rent for around $800 per week. He had previously supported the Labor party and felt conflicted about the Prime Minister's actions, given the government's efforts to address rental affordability. The property is set to be auctioned on October 12, with the first open home inspection scheduled for the upcoming Saturday. Flanagan's experience highlights the complexities of landlord-tenant relationships, especially when personal circumstances change, and raises questions about the impact of such decisions on vulnerable individuals in the rental market.