A property investor who snapped up a run-down duplex for just $69,000 says he never imagined he’d soon be hit with a $1232 bill for a single lawn mow.

Victorian investor Charles Corby bought the derelict duplex in Derby, in regional Western Australia, earlier this year with plans to renovate the site and split it into two separate titles.

Instead, while waiting for approvals, he says he was served with a fire hazard notice from the Shire of Derby/West Kimberley ordering him to clear the overgrown block within weeks or risk fines of up to $5000.

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With the property sitting vacant in regional WA and no trades due on site, Mr Corby said he had little choice but to pay a local contractor to slash the yard.

The cost: $1,232 including GST for a one-off job.

“While I was waiting for council approvals, the Shire of Derby/West Kimberley issued a Fire Break and Fuel Hazard Reduction Notice,” Mr Corby said.

This rundown duplex was purchased by Mr Corby earlier this year. Source: Supplied

The property came heavily overgrown, with the local council giving the new owner only four weeks to clean it up – or face a fine of $5000. Source: Supplied

“The notice required that the property’s grass and vegetation be reduced to no more than 50mm by 30 June 2026, which was a short time frame.

“They only gave us four weeks to do it, less by the time the letter arrived to our office in Geelong from WA, and they let us know that not only were inspections commencing the day following the due date, but that we have to maintain it until end of December.”

Mr Corby said the overgrown block had quickly turned his bargain buy into a costly headache.

“Because the property is vacant and located in regional WA, I couldn’t get to it and mow it myself, and our trades weren’t scheduled to be there during that period,” he said.

“I had to hire a local contractor to slash the block.”

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Being located in regional WA, finding a local contractor was not an easy task. Source: Supplied

The council issued letter to Mr Corby. Source: Supplied

The irony, he said, was hard to ignore.

The duplex itself cost $69,000, meaning that single mow came to almost 2 per cent of the purchase price.

The property sits on a 1268sqm block, according to its online listing.

Airtasker estimates a lawn of that size would usually cost between $150 and $260 a visit for regular maintenance, while badly overgrown blocks or more difficult sites can push the price to $180 to $350 or more.

Even so, Mr Corby’s bill came in well above that range.

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The property after the $1232 slashing job. Source: Supplied

Was it worth the money? Source: Supplied

He said the sting of the invoice showed why investors need to budget for the hidden costs that come with neglected or vacant properties, especially in regional areas.

“This expense just highlights why investors should budget for ongoing maintenance, notices from council like this, or unexpected expenses, particularly when buying vacant or neglected properties in regional Australia,” he said.

“Vacant blocks don’t stop growing because you’re waiting on renovation approvals.

“Councils quite rightly expect owners to maintain their properties, especially in bushfire-prone areas.”

Property investor Charles Corby has purchased the grand renovated Newtown mansion, Kelvin. 11 Aphrasia St, Newtown

Mr Corby said it can be especially tough for remote investors, with limited local trades often charging a premium because of strong demand and low supply.

“We love to employ locals in these regional and remote areas but it’s not always possible due to pricing or availability,” he said.

“We haven’t found someone to maintain the lawns yet but will try local Facebook groups and maybe purchase a mower and leave it locked up onsite, or schedule our trades to do works on our properties periodically to make sure we can maintain the lawns.

“Lawn care of properties is not something you think about when it comes to holding investment properties that are undergoing renovation, but it’s definitely made me add it into the forecasts now, especially when the price can be so high.”