‘Rich people': Controversial landlord Jack Henderson divides with ‘Sydney claim

News.com.au

23-04-2025

Controversial Aussie landlord has claimed if you're 'not rich, don't expect to live in Sydney', sparking a heated online debate.
Jack Henderson has amassed a $40 million dollar property empire, securing 15 investment properties and renting a home in Sydney's affluent Paddington.
The 28-year-old runs Henderson Advocacy, a popular buying agency, and is no stranger to a controversial opinion.
He famously advised that 'paying off your mortgage is stupid' and, despite Australia's housing crisis, has also claimed that it has never been easier to buy.
The property expert has now caused a divide by sharing his controversial claim about Australia's most expensive city.
'If you're not rich, you can't live in Sydney,' he said.
'Every country evolves, their populations get bigger, and cities get more expensive.'
Mr Henderson argued that if you're an American, you're likely not complaining about not being able to afford to buy an apartment in New York City because there's an understanding you need to be really affluent to own property there.
The 28-year-old argued that people need to accept that Sydney is becoming like New York City and that it is unaffordable.
'Be rich or don't live here. If you're not rich live somewhere else. Australia's a big f**king country,' he advised.
Mr Henderson's opinion immediately caused a fair amount of fury from people who claimed all cities need working-class people to function.
'I guess Sydney will have to become accustomed to not having baristas, retail, nurses, teachers and cleaners etc.,' one argued.
'It is difficult to understand that societies don't function with only 'rich people'. Rich people don't want to live in a city where only [rich] people live because many services they want and need won't be there with no one to provide them.'
Someone replied to that argument, 'Have you ever heard of travelling to work?'
Another person argued that middle-income earners should live in more affordable suburbs in Western Sydney, instead of near the beaches.
'Why would anyone want to work at a cafe if they live two hours from Sydney?' another pointed out.
One homeowner jumped in and said they own a property in Sydney's Inner West and are in the top five per cent of earners, but they certainly don't think average wage earners should have to flee Sydney.
'The answer to the housing crisis isn't that people that just keep moving hours and hours further away from where their work is,' one wrote.
The comment section was also just filled with people shocked by Mr Henderson's comments.
'You're so out of touch,' one said.
'Obvious rage bait,' one Aussie critiqued.
'This is the problem,' someone else claimed.
There were also people who agreed with Mr Henderson's theory that only the rich should reside in Sydney.
'I don't understand why people have a hard time understanding this. People just want to be a victim and cry about life rather than understand they are the captain of their own life and circumstances,' one claimed.
'You are not entitled to live in a particular suburb or even city, just because you are a citizen. It has always been the case.
'Agree with this. Areas outside of these four cities are constantly screaming for staff with median house prices less than half the price too,' someone else said.
'So true,' one agreed.
'Spot on!' another remarked.