Afhco - Refund & Deposit ******

I was notified by the property manager AFHCO to vacate a unit that had been sold at Etude Complex by the end of June 2019. I got permission from Laurene at Afhco to vacate on 03 July 2019 as the place I was moving to was not ready. I vacated and have a move-out snag list signed 05 July 2019. For reasons, known only to Afhco, I was billed for whole month of July and my deposit (R6400) was utilised to settle that charge! I have been on the phone and sent countless emails to Laurene and Mbalenhle (Credit control) to get the account corrected with no success.

A foolish mistake on my part resulted in a months rent being deducted from my bank account on 1 August 2019 in error. My scheduled payments from the bank were not cancelled. I immediately called the call centre and was told that the refund would be processed once it reflected in AFHCO's account. I was later told that I would have to wait for the move-out repairs quote to be submitted and paid before I could get this money back. And surprise, surprise the quote is for 140% (8900)of the security deposit they were witholding even though the snag list refers to paint touch-ups anf cupboards hinges! This shows clear intent to utilise as much of my money as possible since it had accidently become available to them. Business has no ethics!

As a single mother of two I am still paying for that accident because it meant I had to borrow from family to pay rent where I stay for August, with the promise that the money would be refunded as soon as it was returned by AFHCO. It is the end of August, I must repay my debt and find someone else to lend me money again to pay for September 2019. I am deflated by the inconsiderate and ruthless way in which this company conducts its business. The developer MNT should also be shamed for continuing to use this property manager despite the wide ranging complaints.