Former AFL star Brad Sewell in legal stoush over $48k in unpaid rent

A former Hawks star has become embroiled in a messy legal stoush after the millionaire tenants of his Brighton home fell way behind in rent payments.

Brad Sewell has been embroiled in a legal battle after the tenants of his Brighton pad fell behind in rent payments.

Two-time AFL premiership star Brad Sewell has become embroiled in a messy legal battle with his millionaire renter.

While the former Hawthorn star and his wife Louise Smith enjoy the sun in Byron Bay, where they now live, the former occupants at their multimillion-dollar Brighton residence got behind in the rent.

One would have thought millionaire rich lister Paul Fridman and his wife Kestie Lane were a sure thing when she signed a lease to pay the $12,167 per month rent on time as they worked on building their own Brighton pile.

The property developer was this week ordered to pay an outstanding $48,472 after the issue went to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Marshall White property manager Jennifer O’Connell told Page 13 the entire process had been “completely exhausting and so unnecessary given they have ample financial means to fulfil their rental obligations”.

Mr O’Connell said it was especially disappointing given so many people in the rental market were doing it tough during the pandemic, but were still doing their best to pay their rent on time.

Hawks premiership star Brad Sewell (centre) rented out his Brighton abode after moving to Byron Bay.

Paul Fridman and Kestie Lane have been ordered to pay Sewell $48,472 in unpaid rent.

For his part, Fridman says, “I’m not a mover. I’m not a shaker. I’m just a little humble battler trying to make my way in this world.”

The Fridcorp founder and director said “as a poor old tenant, just a battler in life, I just expect to have the normal luxuries of lockable doors and gates that lock and close”.

Fridman says he moved out of the house and is owed compensation after the backyard pool leaked and made the Brighton home “uninhabitable”.

He also claims a gate closed on his “luxury car” causing upwards of $40,000 in damages.

“Just to be clear it is not unpaid rent,” he says.

VCAT documents beg to differ with a register of proceedings on September 20 stating that the tribunal orders and directs that the “renter shall now pay the residential rental provider rent owed of $48,472.00”.

Sewell declined to comment.