When Jane Sayner’s landlord, John Perrett, passed away in September 2020, she was devastated. However, her grief was soon replaced with shock and gratitude when she discovered that John had left her the two-bedroom apartment she had been renting for over twenty years.
For AUD$250 a week, Jane had called the St. Albans, Melbourne, Australia, apartment home. Despite being a multimillionaire, John had never married or had children. Instead, he had chosen to leave his fortune to charity, with the Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Nephrology Department receiving a significant portion of his estate, roughly AUD$18.6 million.
However, John had also decided to leave his two long-term tenants, including Jane, with a surprising legacy. One day, he had called Jane to ask for her full name, revealing that he intended to leave her the apartment. Jane had thought she must have misheard him, but John’s solicitor later confirmed the news.
Jane had always treated the apartment like her own, adding her personal touch to the space. John had encouraged her to make the place feel like home, even bringing over old pots from his father for her to use for gardening. Their relationship had evolved from landlord and tenant to friends, with Jane occasionally cooking for John and listening to his stories about his father.
John’s decision to leave the apartment to Jane was a testament to their friendship and his appreciation for her kindness. As Jane looked back on their time together, she felt grateful for the unexpected turn of events that had made her a homeowner.
