Gold Coast property manager Jamie Wernert launches GoFundMe to help evicted pensioner find new home as rental prices soar

A former reality TV star is among thousands nationwide rallying behind an elderly Gold Coast pensioner evicted from his rental as the city’s property crisis explodes.

A kindly property manager is being praised for going above and beyond to help an elderly tenant who faces eviction as the city’s rental prices continue to soar.

Jamie Wernert of Schmith Estate Agents has launched a GoFundMe to support pensioner Denis, 80, who was given his marching orders as the property owners look to increase rent.

Her good deed has since captured the attention of reality television star and Life Uncut co-host Brittany Hockley, who shared the crowdfunding page to her 200,000+ Instagram followers.

Ms Wernert told the Bulletin her long-time tenant had resided at the two-bedroom Coolangatta unit for several years, paying $370 weekly – sometimes even less in times of hardship – even as the market exploded during the pandemic.

But Ms Wernert defended the owners decision to increase rent, saying the couple had helped the man out as much as possible – but now faced their own difficulties.

“He was initially asked to vacate just before Christmas, so we asked if he could stay until the end of January given how difficult it is to find a property over that time,” she said.

“The Christmas before last they even gave him six weeks rent free because he had fallen behind. They’ve helped him out a lot but they’re having their own difficulties at the moment.”

According to realestate.com.au, similar type rental properties in the area could go for as little as $450 per week and fetch upward of $800 depending on location.

The mum-of-three said Denis was left with little funds from his fortnightly pension after paying rent and medical expenses: “He’s made comments in the past where he lives off canned food. His budget doesn’t allow him to live off anything else,” she said.

Ms Wernert, 31, launched a GoFundMe after learning of her tenant’s predicament, raising more than $4500 in donations in the first 24 hours since its launch Friday evening.

As of Tuesday, more than $30,000 had been raised.

“Anything would better that what he already has. I’m not even sure he realises how much is being raised or if at all. I think he thought maybe I’d throw a sausage sizzle.”

It’s hoped funds will help Denis secure a new property and afford removalists.

“He’s such a lovely old tenant, he’s been at the place since before I started with Schmiths.”

Members of the public have flooded the crowd-funding initiative with well wishes, many praising Ms Wernert’s remarkable “empathy for her tenants.”

Schmith Estate Agents property manager Jamie Wernert is behind the GoFundMe. Picture: Supplied

She said it was the first time dealing with the gut-wrenching ordeal: “I still receive calls from desperate tenants trying to secure a rental, but never anything like this,” she said.

“I do know about six to 12 months ago the rental crisis was a lot worse than it is now,” she said.

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