Investor who bought derelict home for $69,000 hit with $1232 lawn bill

A property investor who snapped up a run-down duplex for just $69,000 says he never imagined he’d soon be hit with a $1232 bill for a single lawn mow. Victorian investor Charles Corby bought the derelict duplex in Derby, in regional Western Australia, earlier this year with plans to renovate the site and split it into two separate titles. Instead, while waiting for approvals, he says he was served with a fire hazard notice from the Shire of Derby/West Kimberley ordering him to clear the overgrown block within weeks or risk fines of up to $5000. MORE NEWS ‘Nightmare’: Plumber’s $10k home repair warning ‘Devastating’: Nan forced to demolish family home $100m eBay bid for Woolworths Ooshie stuns Australia With the property sitting vacant in regional WA and no trades due on site, Mr Corby said he had little choice but to pay a local contractor to slash the yard. The cost: $1,232 including GST for a one-off job. “While I was waiting for council approvals, the Shire of Derby/West Kimberley issued a Fire Break and Fuel Hazard Reduction Notice,” Mr Corby said. This rundown duplex was purchased by Mr Corby earlier this year. Source: Supplied The property came heavily overgrown, with the loc...