In the quiet suburb of St. Albans, Melbourne, Australia, a unique story unfolds as 75-year-old Jane Sayner discovers the surprising aftermath of her landlord’s passing. For over two decades, Jane had rented a modest two-bedroom apartment from the affluent John Perrett for AUD$250 a week, forming a connection that went beyond the typical landlord-tenant relationship.
John Perrett, a multimillionaire who chose not to marry or have children, passed away in September 2020. In an unexpected twist, Jane learned that she was not facing the usual dilemma of finding a new place to live or renegotiating a lease. Instead, John had bequeathed her the very home she had rented for so many years.
John’s decision to leave his properties to Jane was rooted in the friendship they had developed over the years. A phone call from John, requesting her full name for his solicitor, had initially left Jane in disbelief. The man who had always expressed his intention to donate his fortune to charity had chosen to grant her ownership of the two-bedroom apartment.
While Jane mourned the loss of her friend, she found solace in the fact that the home she had treated as her own for over 20 years was now officially hers. John had encouraged her to personalize the space, even bringing her pots from his father to nurture more plants in the garden. Their relationship had transcended the traditional boundaries of landlord and tenant, evolving into a genuine friendship.
As Jane reminisces about the countless hours spent in conversation with John and the occasional meals she prepared for him, it becomes clear that their connection was more than a business arrangement. In a touching turn of events, John’s act of generosity was a testament to the bond they had shared—a friendship that transformed a rented apartment into an unexpected legacy for Jane Sayner.
