Swimming champion Chloe McCardel evicted from Sydney apartment

An Australian swimming champion has lashed out at one of the country’s biggest property developers after she was issued an eviction notice in inner Sydney.

DChloe McCardel, with her dogs, Sundae and Toto, who have been evicted from her apartment in Zetland. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

An Australian swimming champion has lashed out at one of the country’s biggest property developers after she was issued an eviction notice in inner Sydney, as experts warn residents are avoiding conflict with landlords for fear of being kicked out.

Chloe McCardel has broken multiple Guinness World Records for open water swimming, including crossing the English Channel 44 times, but one of her toughest challenges had been dealing with her landlord of her Zetland apartment.

The 37-year-old told The Daily Telegraph she rented the unit at a cost of $540 a week, before it was bumped to $640, with Ms McCardel notified of the price rises by development giant Meriton, acting on behalf of her landlord.

“Now I’m at the end of my lease and they’re saying I need to pay $980,” Ms McCardel said.

Ms McCardel and Meriton negotiated a compromise at $810 a week, before she received an eviction notice telling her to vacate the unit by May 13.

“I was only evicted after I started arguing on price. I’ve been a model tenant, never missed pay, never had a mark against my name.”

Chloe McCardel has chosen to move out Picture: Justin Lloyd.

The Daily Telegraph approached Meriton for comment, after which Ms McCardel was contacted by a Meriton representative, apologising and informing her the eviction was “null and void.”

Ms McCardel declined the offer and is now moving out.

“Their slogan is ‘Meriton, built for Rent’” Ms McCardel said. “I think it should be ‘Meriton, built for profit’.”

The Zetland apartment block. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

McCardel and her pooches have packed up.

The Tenants Union of NSW said this sort of treatment is not uncommon, and deters renters from contesting massive rent hikes over fears of eviction.

“This is something that people report to us quite frequently,” Union CEO Leo Patterson Ross told The Daily Telegraph.

“The big issue is that a lot of people won’t dispute or challenge the rent increase even if there is evidence to suggest it’s an excessive increase, because of situations like this.”

Meriton refused to comment when approached by The Daily Telegraph.

Originally published as Swimming champion Chloe McCardel evicted from Sydney apartment