Bruce Lehrmann to move from northern beaches home as rent-free Channel 7 deal comes to an end

Bruce Lehrmann’s rent-free lifestyle will come to an end in a matter of weeks, seeing him leave the luxe northern beaches home currently bankrolled by Channel 7.

Bruce Lehrmann’s rent-free northern beaches hide-out that was bankrolled by Channel 7 expires next month, with the former Liberal staffer and his dog looking for new digs.

The unemployed former Liberal staffer signed on the dotted line for a 12 month deal with Spotlight on April 21 last year.

But with that media deal coming to a close, Mr Lehrmann and his golden retriever Sunny are in a race against time to find a new home – and a way to pay for it.

He recently revealed he planned to sue the ACT government for defamation over comments made by the former Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold outside of court.

Mr Lehrmann, who hasn’t worked full time since mid 2021, is currently studying law.

Bruce Lehrmann at his Sydney residence. Picture Sam Ruttyn

Mr Lehrmann has been living rent-free in the northern beaches as part of his deal with Channel 7. Picture: realestate.com.au

However, the deal is set to come to an end next month. Picture: realestate.com.au

He agreed to a tell-all interview with Liam Bartlett last year under the contract – but only if Channel 7 agreed to pay his rent for an entire year.

The Seven Network later told journalists and the Walkleys Foundation that he wasn’t paid a fee for the interview but they had covered some accommodation costs during filming.

However, court documents in Mr Lehrmann’s Federal Court defamation case later revealed the Seven Network were initially paying $4000 a month for his rent and had agreed to pay ongoing accommodation costs.

He is facing new rape charges involving a Toowoomba woman, but has not been committed for trial. He intends to plead not guilty.

Under the Seven Network agreement he agreed to provide “all information, documents, video and photographs” reasonably requested by Seven.

However, Mr Lehrmann said he did not do this and only provided an interview.

Mr Lehrmann confirmed in evidence to the Federal Court that Channel 7 had been paying for his rental accommodation after the exclusive interview aired in May, 2023. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer

The home he has been living in is located in Sydney’s northern beaches area. Picture: realestate.com.au

The agreement with Channel 7 puts the date the rent-free deal will end as 12 months from April 21, 2023.

In evidence to the Federal Court, Mr Lehrmann revealed that Channel 7 had been paying for his rental accommodation after the exclusive interview aired in May, 2023.

“And it was part of the agreement, isn’t it, that you were paid for 12 months of accommodation by Channel Seven?’’ barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC asked.

“Yes,” Mr Lehrmann replied.

Ms Chrysanthou SC asked if the agreement to pay Mr Lehrmann’s rent in the contract was from June 2023 to June 2024.

“Umm, well, yes. For filming in those places,” he replied.

However, the document produced to the court states the accommodation deal runs for 12 months from April 21.

Asked how much the year’s rent was worth, Mr Lehrmann said he didn’t know because the “network handled the accommodation arrangements”.

Former 60 Minutes reporter Liam Bartlett fronted the first television special with the man who was accused of the rape of Brittany Higgins at Parliament House.

Executive producer Mark Llewellyn told news.com.au in May last year that the Seven Network had not paid Mr Lehrmann for the exclusive interview.

“No one was paid,” Mr Llewellyn told news.com.au.

“7NEWS Spotlight made no payment to Bruce Lehrmann for the interview, however the program assisted with accommodation as part of the filming of the story.”

A promo for the first television interview stated: “Bruce Lehrmann has never told his side of the story. Not one, single word. Now, he’s breaking his silence.”

Bruce Lehrmann spoke to Channel 7’s Spotlight in a ‘bombshell’ interview. Picture: 7NEWS

In the wake of the revelations of the secret rent-for interview deal, the Walkley Foundation stripped the Spotlight program from the finalists list for a journalism award.

“The Walkley Foundation Board has come to the unanimous conclusion that the Seven Spotlight story ‘Trial and Error’ was not eligible for consideration in the All Media Scoop of the Year category for the 2023 Walkley Awards as the entry did not accurately describe the extent of benefits provided to Mr Lehrmann in exchange for interviews, information and exclusive access,” it said.

Seven defended its decision to pay for former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann’s rent in Sydney, which was paid in return for his Spotlight interviews.

“We said at the time we were assisting Bruce Lehrmann with his accommodation costs. It was well-reported back then. The 7NEWS Spotlight report was rightfully judged by the esteemed Walkley Foundation as one of the top three scoops of 2023.”

Comment has been sought from the Seven Network and Mr Lehrmann.