A tenant living in one of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's investment properties has been given an eviction notice but is pleading for him to reconsider.
Small-business owner Jim Flanagan has lived in his three-bedroom townhouse in Dulwich Hill in Sydney over the past four years.
Flanagan told Today he was forced to go public after receiving a termination letter. It is understood Albanese intends to sell the property.
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"If you're a renter and you're a small business owner currently, receiving a notice to vacate is a bit of a catastrophe, to put it mildly," he said.
"(Our) options are so limited on the property market."
Flanagan had reportedly been paying $680 a week for the three-bedroom property, a figure that had not been raised since it was lowered during COVID-19.
While he understands and respects that Albanese is within his rights to sell his property, he said many renters were struggling amid the cost-of-living crisis.
"It's the most challenging time I've certainly ever faced as a small business owner. Options are just so limited out," he said.
"As a renter, we're looking for something a little bit more considered in terms of a discussion. But he's well within his rights to do this, but the impact is so stressful.
"I have nothing against property owners whatsoever... we are just looking to survive and keep our noses just above water.
"That's very difficult in my industry, in hospitality, so we need to try to survive and keep on going."
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Flanagan said the prime minister had been a generous landlord but said he was surprised to receive the notice.
"This doesn't seem consistent with the messaging and the budget this week," he said.
The 45-year-old described the rental market in Sydney as "horrific".
"The small business I operate is about a minute's walk from here. I don't have, access to a vehicle currently, so I absolutely need to try and make sure that I'm as close as (I) possibly can be," he said.
"I had a look at the market and my options are extraordinarily limited, that is what it is.
"Again, my options are extremely finite."
9news.com.au has contacted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's media team for comment.
