from the Times South Africa

ATHENS — A Greek appeal court has declared void a deal under which an alcoholic traded his apartment to a bar owner in return for free drink for the rest of his life, a newspaper reports.

The agreement concerned an apartment worth 33,000 euros (R423,791) which the 62-year old drinker sold to the bar owner for 6,500 euros (R83,474) with the right to live in it rent-free until he died, according to Eleftherotypia.

A tab of 900 euros (R11,500) was written off and the vendor undertook to provide free drinks for the rest of the drinker’s life.

Four years after signing the deal the toper died and his brother took the case to court.

The court said the terms of the deal had been disproportionate and contrary to decent behaviour as they exploited an individual’s dependence.

[ click to read at The Times SA ]