Tenant vandalises property in revenge for rent increase—find out what he did

We've all felt the pinch of rising living costs. Rent is a constant worry, weighing heavily on our minds as we navigate an increasingly expensive world.

That simmering frustration can sometimes boil over when the pressures of modern living become too much, leading to actions that seem entirely out of character.

In a tale that feels more like a dark comedy than real life, a pensioner from Wollongong has taken what many would consider the ultimate, petty revenge after his landlord decides to hike the rent.


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A pensioner retaliated against his landlord's rent increase by vandalising the house. Credit: George Becker/Pexels


The story of Colin Spargo, a man who once had a friendly landlord-tenant relationship based on trust and a handshake, has taken a bizarre and destructive turn.

Spargo, who had been living in the rental property for 12 years, was considered a ‘family friend’ by his landlord, David Longford. Their ‘handshake deal’ had worked well for years, with Spargo enjoying a stable rent of $350 a week since 2012 without ever paying a bond.

However, as the cost of living and property values rose, Longford increased the rent to $400 in 2017, and more recently to $550, while formalising the payment process through a real estate agency.

'He calls me up and says "we need to go back to how we were with me paying cash" and I said "no, we have to keep it through the real estate,"' Longford said.

'He says, "Well, in that case, we've got a problem and it's your problem, not mine."'

Spargo then disappeared. When Longford visited his property, he found that the pensioner had applied industrial-strength glue to almost everything in the house. He was unable to enter his property because Spargo had glued shut every door, window, and shutter in the house.

When Longford finally managed to break in, he found that Spargo had also glued down chairs, tables, all the drawers, bedroom doors, kitchen cabinets, built-in wardrobes, and interior windows.

But the damage wasn't just structural. Spargo left behind a macabre scene with a clown doll hanging from a noose, perhaps as a chilling message to Longford.

The house was also filthy, with paint poured over beds, couches slashed, and a putrid smell that led to the discovery of rotting prawns hidden in a kitchen drawer and a wall cavity.

'This bedroom was probably his best effort. We've got glue here, and he's thrown a bucket of paint over the bed that was left here and the cupboards so that they can't be recycled either,’ Longford said.

'He's left this couch and slashed it so it can't be donated to anyone. In hindsight, I sort of wish that I hadn't looked after him for so long and got him out earlier.'

As for the cost of the damage, Longford has yet to calculate the full extent, but it's clear he's facing a hefty bill for repairs and cleaning. Spargo, on the other hand, was unavailable for comment.
Key Takeaways
  • A pensioner from Wollongong, Colin Spargo, vandalised his rental property in response to his landlord raising the rent.
  • The tenant had previously enjoyed a stable rent due to a handshake agreement with the landlord, but this was disrupted by formalising the payment process and an increase in rent.
  • The vandalism included applying industrial-strength glue to doors, windows, furniture, and leaving the property in a filthy condition with hidden rotting prawns and a clown doll hanging from a noose.
  • The landlord, David Longford, is facing a significant expense to repair and clean the property, while Spargo was unavailable for comment on the incident.
What would you do if you disagreed with your landlord about the rent cost? Have you ever faced a similar situation, or do you have advice on handling such disputes? Let us know in the comments below.
 

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This is another example (tho extrem) of why i would never rent my home out to anyone ever (& wont ever even allow anyone to move in with me again), as there's no way I could afford a mistake of any sort in my life again!
I wonder if the owner even had landlords insurance?
Sadly no one can be trusted any more these times! And sad too that even doing a kind favour can potentially lead to disaster now!
 
Ok I saw this on ACA the other day and I have to confess that while I feel sorry for the landlord and do not condone the destruction of another person’s property, I was laughing by the time the report finished. The guy glued everything that moved ( many I wouldn’t even think of). He even glued the cap of the petrol tank on the lawnmower!! Sorry, I know it’s not funny but it is!
 
That is just petty I understand that rents have to go up and it’s mainly because of the government making it harder for the owners. The insurance companies hiking up prices as well. But to do what that tenant did will only make it harder for other people to rent a place. Thoughtless jerk is all I can say
 
He should go to jail for such wilful damage.
You should never rent your house out privately or make friends with your tenant. Nor should you rent to family or friends Never accept personal references, people can write their own or get friends to write one.
I learnt that the hard way also. It is far better to pay an agent and keep business at arms length.
Better still, dont have an Iinvestment property and save yourself a lot of heartache.
It is going to cost this guy a fortune to repair his property.
 
Mates?? I don't think so.
Well they were until the terms didn't suit the tenant and then he turned. He didn't stop to think how lucky he had been for several years and his rent could clearly have been alot higher. That was just plain nasty and vindictive. I hope he gets caught eventually as that is just not on. A very selfish man indeed.
 
That is just petty I understand that rents have to go up and it’s mainly because of the government making it harder for the owners. The insurance companies hiking up prices as well. But to do what that tenant did will only make it harder for other people to rent a place. Thoughtless jerk is all I can say
Its not just the government some home owners are really rorting the rents over $500 per week even taking into consideration insurances, rates etc it doesn't warrant the massive increases of over $150 plus in one hit!
 
I wonder if the furniture belonged to the landlord and or the guy has ruined his own furniture. Was there an official lease when the real estate agent took over?
 
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What if they did - his property - his rent.
Wouldn't the owner and the real estate have discussed this before notifying the tenant?
The real estate agent can only recommend a rent rise He can't raise the rent without the owner's permission.
They advised him of the rent rise and the fact that the real estate agent would be handling it in the future.
It's the owner's property and he is within his rights if this is what he wants to do.
The tenant has no rights in this matter except to leave if he's not happy.
His OTT reaction wasn't warranted
 
No to both questions - friends - when you aren't due to money.
Good on him after the time it’s not the owners but the real estate upping the rent
Glad I never rented you a property if that's your attitude
His rent was still reasonable by today's standards and the owner is perfectly entitled to put the management of his property with an agent if he so wishes.
The stupid idiot has done himself
no favours. In today's .market he will not get another property

No reference for the last 12 years, the agent who took over will list him on the bad tenants register
Private references don't get accepted these days, so he can't fake one. Even people with excellent references can't get a home.
Looks like he'll be living on the streets.
Kharma.
 

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