When a landlord passes away, tenants often face uncertainty about their living situation. However, 75-year-old Jane Sayner’s experience was unlike any other. For over 20 years, she had called a two-bedroom apartment in St. Albans, Melbourne, Australia, her home, renting it from multimillionaire John Perrett for a steady AUD$250 per week.
Jane’s life took an unexpected turn when John passed away in September 2020, leaving behind a surprising legacy. Despite his wealth, John had no family, having never married or had children. Yet, he had formed a special bond with Jane, his tenant of over two decades.
In a remarkable gesture, John bequeathed the two-bedroom apartment to Jane, along with another property to a second long-term tenant. This act of kindness not only ensured Jane’s continued residence but also reflected the strong friendship they had developed over the years.
Jane fondly recalls John’s phone call, requesting her full name to include her in his will. She had always known him to be charitable, but this personal gesture left her in disbelief. Their friendship had grown over time, with John encouraging Jane to make the apartment her own, even gifting her his father’s old pots to nurture her gardening passion.
John’s generosity extended beyond his personal relationships. He left a substantial portion of his fortune, approximately AUD$18.6 million, to the Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Nephrology Department, which had prolonged his life through a kidney transplant thirty years prior.
Jane’s story serves as a reminder that connections and kindness can transcend traditional relationships. She now owns the home she once rented, a testament to the power of friendship and the unexpected ways in which our lives can be touched by others.
