...By Judah Olanisebee for TDPel Media.
Landlord Denis Sinilov and his social media star wife, Svetlana Sinilova, are living a life of luxury while tenants at Pacific View apartments in Tamarama, Sydney, are struggling with rent hikes of up to 70%.
The apartments have black mould and maintenance problems that tenants say have worsened since Mr. Sinilov bought the building for $15m in October 2021.
The tenants are challenging the rent hikes at the NSW State Administrative Tribunal, claiming they are unethical and untenable.
Mr. Sinilov and his wife are regularly taking lavish holidays and live in an expansive family home with an enormous Christmas tree in the middle.
The tenants’ rent hikes have caused uproar, with all nine tenants challenging them at the tribunal.
Despite the tenants’ poor living conditions, Mr. Sinilov is increasing the rent of every unit in the building.
Some tenants’ rent jumped from $630 to $1,100 a week. The cases will be heard against the building’s property manager, Cohen Farquharson, run by Luxe Listings star Simon Cohen.
The tenants claim that the units are in a poor state of repair and plagued with black mould, with some tenants experiencing problems with their hot water.
Mr. Sinilov applied to the local council to radically redevelop the 650 sqm site last year but later deferred the request.
Cohen Farquharson stated that it is part of their role as leasing agents to provide an assessment of the rental market to help their clients determine if they are receiving rents in line with current market conditions.
They also stated that ultimately, it is the landlord’s decision as to what rental increases are passed on to the tenant.
Mr. Sinilov could not be reached for comment.
The tenants’ rent hikes have caused them to band together and push back on the matter.
While they are challenging the rent hikes, Mr. Sinilov and his wife continue to live a lavish lifestyle, taking frequent luxury holidays and residing in an expensive family home.
