The Tenant Who Turned Their Flat into a Boxing Gym

This piece is part of our International Bizarre Landlord Stories series. Today’s story was first reported in Australia.

It is not unusual for tenants to rearrange furniture or redecorate, but one Australian landlord was stunned to discover their flat had been converted into a fully operational boxing gym. When the tenant was finally evicted for arrears, the landlord entered to find punching bags hanging from the ceiling, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and a makeshift boxing ring constructed in the living room.

The discovery

The transformation only came to light when neighbours complained about constant thudding noises and loud shouts late into the night. Upon inspection, it was revealed that the tenant had reinforced the floor with sheets of plywood to withstand heavy equipment and had even invited paying customers to train there.

The aftermath

The landlord faced thousands of dollars in repair costs after structural damage was discovered. Plaster ceilings were cracked, wooden floors buckled under the weight of equipment, and the mirrors had been glued directly onto walls. Local authorities also issued fines for operating a business from a residential property without permission.

Lessons for landlords

• Unapproved alterations. Tenants may drastically change a property without consent.
• Noise complaints. Neighbours can be an early warning system for undisclosed activities.
• Business use. Residential properties being used commercially may breach lease agreements and local regulations.
• Inspection rights. Exercising the right to periodic inspections can help uncover such misuse before extensive damage occurs.

Your experience

Have you ever walked into a property after a tenancy ended and found it completely transformed? Share your stories with fellow landlords in the comments below.

Series so far

• The Tenant Who Kept a Tiger in a Harlem Apartment
• The Day a Cow Knocked at a Fourth-Floor Flat
• When a Tenant Found a Python in the Toilet
• The Tenants Who Turned a Flat into a Miniature Zoo
• The Room Filled With 200 Bottles of Urine
• The Tenant Who Took the Roof With Them
• The Apartment That Became a Cat Colony
• The Tenant Who Grew Mushrooms in the Sitting Room
• The Tenant Who Stabled a Horse Indoors
• The Tenants Who Built a Swimming Pool Indoors
• The Tenant Who Raised a Lion Cub at Home
• The Tenant Who Built a Pub in Their Living Room
• The Tenant Who Turned Their Flat into a Chicken Coop
• The Tenant Who Kept a Crocodile in Their Rental Home

Background coverage: ABC News (Australia).