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Mystery man uses obscure law to own inner-city home without paying a cent

An elusive banker has revealed his plans to take ownership of an abandoned million dollar home in inner-city Sydney without paying a cent, telling neighbours he will pull it off with the help of a rarely-used law.

The rundown terrace house in Redfern is reportedly worth between $1.1 million and $1.375 million and is in desperate need of a renovation.

Peeling paint, broken windows and tree growing out of the ceiling are just some of the features of the decrepit home, with neighbours saying several rat infestations have also stemmed from the property.

The home on Elizabeth Street in Redfern has been unoccupied since 2007. Photo: Domain
The home on Elizabeth Street in Redfern has been unoccupied since 2007. Photo: Domain

A young banker, who introduced himself to neighbours using the names ‘Andrew James’ and ‘Andy Robert’, is planning to put the ‘adverse possession’ law to use.

The man has already sent legal letters to the neighbours, informing them of his intentions to occupy and renovate the house.

The original owner of the house, an elderly man named Paul Fuh, travelled to China on a six-month trip in 2007 – and hasn’t been seen since.

In NSW, adverse possession laws state that a person must have stayed on a property for 12 years or more before they can file an application for the property rights.

Mr James told neighbours he planned to rent out the home until enough time had past for him to claim the law.

The terrace, on the right, is rundown and in desperate need of renovation. Photo: Domain
The terrace, on the right, is rundown and in desperate need of renovation. Photo: Domain

“He’s only a young guy, but he’s trying to take the premises,” one neighbour Paul Wilton told Domain.

“My understanding is that he hired a locksmith and went in through the front door one day and, when I confronted him, he’s now saying he’s taken vacant possession.

“He told me he’s planning to renovate the property, then will rent it out and, when the time comes, he’ll claim it under the adverse possession law.”

Another neighbour dubbed the law “legalised theft”, saying many international homeowners could suffer because of it.

“…with thousands of properties in Sydney bought by overseas investors, it could lead to real lawlessness,” Gerard Knapp said.

The mysterious banker, known as 'Andrew James' or 'Andy Roberts'. This photo was taken by a neighbour. Photo: Domain/Supplied
The mysterious banker, known as 'Andrew James' or 'Andy Roberts'. This photo was taken by a neighbour. Photo: Domain/Supplied

Lawyer Beverly Hoskinson-Green told Domain the transfer of property can only occur if the original owner gives his consent.

She said the laws are “very, very rarely” used and doubted Mr James would be successful with his claims.

Whether Mr James is successful or not, some neighbours are hoping the council will seize the property and sell it, over concerns the deteriorating condition of the property will affect their own homes.

News break – June 9