AFL Anthony McDonald-turned-mortgage broker and his wife Bridget McIntyre, a TV star, are being sued for maintaining a prestigious rental property.
The couple are accused of renting out the plants of a property they rented in upscale Toorak. Melbourneto overgrow to a point they breached the roof of the conservatory.
The overgrowth reportedly caused moisture to accumulate until the Victorian mansion, which is estimated to be worth nearly $6 million, became uninhabitable due to a mold outbreak.
A statement filed with the court said the owners of the home were seeking $454,000.63 in damages for damage sustained to the property during the time it was rented to the couple.
Mortgage broker-turned AFL player Anthony McDonald and TV star’s wife Bridget McIntyre (pictured) are being sued for around $450,000 over a rental property
The couple are accused of allowing the plants of a Toorak property (pictured) they rent to overgrow so much that they broke through the roof of the conservatory.
McDonald and McIntyre had rented the four bedroom house on Orrong Road, Toorak between June 2016 and November 2020.
The property’s owners, Adrian and Gabrielle Pick, took legal action after inspecting the home.
They allege the couple breached their lease by failing to properly maintain the property.
According to that Herald SunThe Picks are seeking reimbursement for the cost of repairing the home and yard and for loss of rental income while the property, which is estimated to be worth up to $6 million, was repaired.
Former AFL player Antony McDonald (pictured) is now a mortgage broker
The statement filed with the court said they are seeking damages of $454,000.63 divided into $142,903 for lost rental income, $5,600 for yard repairs and maintenance, $54,700 for mold remediation work, $119,800 for construction work, $33,000 for Paint, $29,000 for curtain and blind replacement and repairs, $22,000 for interior repairs, and $28,000 for exterior repairs.
They claim that as part of the lease, the couple had a duty to look after the house, keep it clean and prevent damage, tend the garden and notify the owners or their property manager of any damage as soon as it was discovered.
In September 2020, the couple informed the property manager that the house could no longer be lived in after mold damage.
An October 2020 condition report by property manager RT Edgar found the house had mold growth in the living room, living room, conservatory and bedrooms.
They also discovered that plants had grown from the gutter into the conservatory, the garden was overgrown, and the gutters were full of leaves.
The Picks — owners of the property — are seeking $454,000.63 for damage done to the home when the couple rented it from June 2016 to November 2020
An additional report conducted in November found a cracked and damaged masonite wall in the garage and water damage in the laundry.
Court documents state that McDonald and McIntyre “failed to conduct adequate periodic maintenance of the property, including cleaning and dust removal, resulting in moisture ingress and mold growth within the property; failure to clear gutters of leaves and debris; (and) growing plants over the outer gutters into the conservatory.’
It is also stated that they “failed to adequately water and maintain the garden area of the property, resulting in damage to garden beds, ornamental grasses, hardscaping, including paving and other pathways, on the house as a result of overgrown plants and shrubs; and garden furnishings and structures, including works of art, ponds, gates, fences, sculptures and ornaments.’
In 2002, after playing more than 100 games with Melbourne Football Club, McDonald changed shirts for a job as a director and broker.
His wife Bridget McIntire is an accomplished Australian journalist and presenter who currently works as a freelancer.
