In a recent feature on A Current Affair, a Brisbane apartment caretaker named Larry stood out for his refusal to shy away from tough questions, a stark contrast to the usual response of others in similar situations. Larry, who claims to be the son of a wealthy Chinese family, boasts of his luxurious lifestyle with cars like Ferraris, yet residents have expressed frustration with his management, calling the building a "slum palace."
Residents presented distressing images showcasing deplorable conditions, including human faeces in common areas, which Larry attempted to minimise by attributing it to a resident’s medical issue. Former tenant Michael shared his discontent, stating that he was pushed to sell his property due to the rapid decline of the building’s standards, which he had once hoped to retire in. He highlighted that assurances made about the residency dynamics were misleading, with Larry allegedly transforming apartments into short-term rentals rather than fostering a stable community.
The situation escalated to a point where residents likened their living conditions to a "tower of terror," experiencing issues such as vandalism and unwanted guests in their building. Crystal, another long-term resident, mentioned spending significant amounts on security to feel safe, paralleling her home to a surveillance zone.
As frustrations mounted, the building’s body corporate called a meeting to vote to terminate Larry and his wife Angela’s management role. Despite this, residents have struggled to remove them, and even during the interview, Larry expressed confusion over why the reporters were leaving, claiming, “We are not slaves for the body corporate,” thereby illustrating his perceived victimisation in the scenario.
The overarching issues within the building stem from Larry’s alleged lucrative business model, where he earns substantially more by subletting units as hotel rooms, leaving unit owners with negligible returns. This practice has garnered complaints from both tenants and non-residents, leading to negative online reviews.
The Real Estate Institute of Queensland has warned of the potential dangers in the lease terms that allow such broad subletting rights. Meanwhile, the reporting highlighted the ongoing struggles of residents yearning for a return to the community they once cherished, while Larry’s brash confidence remained unwavered throughout the encounter.