CM
Catherine M
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2012
25 Feb 2020, 13:44
Deposit refund
Words cannot begin to explain how angry I am at the way Afhco staff treats our queries, I occupied an apartment at South hills lifestyle estate from December 2018, Staying there has been nothing short of a nightmare but because I wanted to get my deposit back, I had to stomach it. Sewerage coming through the bath tub, electricity and water cut offs without notice, the place is hell to say the least. A lot of people vacated withing a few months of staying there, anyway to cut the long story short. I completed my notice to cancel the lease, moved out on the 31st and completed the snag list with the property manager Peter. Who really commended me to keeping the apartment the way I found it, even said he can move in a person immediately because the is nothing to fix or replace. 3 weeks later I am being shunted from pillar to post with regards to my deposit refund, spoke to so many people using my airtime and I still do not have my money. Laurene Levin tried to help but then she cant do much as this is a matter handled by customer service, spoke to a Lady called Nosipho her surname starts with G on the 20th. Initially she said the delay was because they hadn't received the snag list, call Peter and he was furious because he had sent it on the 3rd Of Feb as I had vacated on the 31st of January.
Till this day I still haven't heard anything, off late the customer service line is congested. I guess there's a lot of people like me fighting for their money ans poor service delivery. Lauren Levin gave me a contact number to call *** and ask for Veronica Gabela, I couldn't get a hold of her so I emailed her and still awaiting her response. Emailed Nosipho again today and I am still waiting to be assisted. I will not be ****** off my deposit after completing my lease nor will I be billed for an apartment/flat I did not occupy.
All I got from customer service was an email saying "Our records indicate that your query was attended to", hoe impersonal. we are talking about a R5000 deposit and this is the response I get? I will never recommend any of your properties to any of my family and friends, my stay at SH was unbearable and the service was ****. The only reason I stayed there for a year was because I did not want to forfeit my deposit, and now I have to deal with you unprofessional behavior. Sort this out now!
Helpful (0)
Replies (14)0
Replies (14)
Afhco Property Management's replyOfficial
25 Feb 2020, 17:45Dear Catherine,
Thank you for bringing your query to our attention. We, at Afhco value your communication and take pride in attending to and resolving your query as speedily as possible.
As per the terms and conditions of your lease agreement, please note that you need to complete the ‘notice to cancel lease agreement form’ which is not valid unless signed by your building manager and yourself.
A notice of 1 calendar month is required for any lease signed before 1 April 2011. A notice of 20 business days (1 month) is required for any lease signed after 1 April 2011.
YOUR DEPOSIT IS REFUNDABLE WITHIN 7 WORKING DAYS PROVIDED THAT:
- You have signed the snag (check) move out list.
- There are no damages to your unit (where damages exist this can take up to 14 days).
- There are no arrears on your account.
- You have served the term of your lease (a penalty or forfeiture will apply where this is not the case).
- Proof of current banking details have been attached.
Our records indicate that you only completed your notice form on the 30th and vacated the following day (31st January) giving us less than a day’s notice instead of the required 1 calendar month hence the deposit forfeiture.
Should you need any further assistance or require any additional information, do not hesitate to contact us at *** or telephonically on ***.
Kind Regards
Afhco Property Management's reply25 Feb 2020, 17:45
Official
Dear Catherine,
Thank you for bringing your query to our attention. We, at Afhco value your communication and take pride in attending to and resolving your query as speedily as possible.
As per the terms and conditions of your lease agreement, please note that you need to complete the ‘notice to cancel lease agreement form’ which is not valid unless signed by your building manager and yourself.
A notice of 1 calendar month is required for any lease signed before 1 April 2011. A notice of 20 business days (1 month) is required for any lease signed after 1 April 2011.
YOUR DEPOSIT IS REFUNDABLE WITHIN 7 WORKING DAYS PROVIDED THAT:
- You have signed the snag (check) move out list.
- There are no damages to your unit (where damages exist this can take up to 14 days).
- There are no arrears on your account.
- You have served the term of your lease (a penalty or forfeiture will apply where this is not the case).
- Proof of current banking details have been attached.
Our records indicate that you only completed your notice form on the 30th and vacated the following day (31st January) giving us less than a day’s notice instead of the required 1 calendar month hence the deposit forfeiture.
Should you need any further assistance or require any additional information, do not hesitate to contact us at *** or telephonically on ***.
Kind Regards
CM
Catherine M's updateReviewer Update
25 Feb 2020, 17:54- Nowhere in any of the forms submitted does it state that my deposit will be forfeited should the cancellation be submitted late.
- Nowhere is the forms submitted does it state of any penalty, the only penalty I am aware of is where the lease is not completed.
- When the form was resubmitted on the 30th January that I will be moving after all, no one bothered to dispute until now.
- The snag list was done because I was moving, and at no point did the building managers say I cannot move due to late submission.
- If you do have a clause that states such then by all means do send it to me, in the interim I will be handing the matter to my lawyer.
NB. I will lodging a formal consumer protection act and I have complaint to “ Hello Peter” about Afhco’s customer service as well. R5000.00 is a lot of money and I am not letting go of this without a fight.
CM
Catherine M's update25 Feb 2020, 17:54
Reviewer Update
- Nowhere in any of the forms submitted does it state that my deposit will be forfeited should the cancellation be submitted late.
- Nowhere is the forms submitted does it state of any penalty, the only penalty I am aware of is where the lease is not completed.
- When the form was resubmitted on the 30th January that I will be moving after all, no one bothered to dispute until now.
- The snag list was done because I was moving, and at no point did the building managers say I cannot move due to late submission.
- If you do have a clause that states such then by all means do send it to me, in the interim I will be handing the matter to my lawyer.
NB. I will lodging a formal consumer protection act and I have complaint to “ Hello Peter” about Afhco’s customer service as well. R5000.00 is a lot of money and I am not letting go of this without a fight.
Afhco Property Management's replyOfficial
25 Feb 2020, 18:21We acknowledge your interaction with us via email and await further communication from you.
Afhco Property Management's reply25 Feb 2020, 18:21
Official
We acknowledge your interaction with us via email and await further communication from you.
CM
I did not get any response from you via email, the only way to settle this is the legal way. This thing of not refunding tenants their deposit is a habit and a very bad habit at that, it's no wonder people are leaving your apartment in a mess with broken tubs and cupboards. Letting you pay more to fix the damage because they know that leaving it in good condition doesn't guarantee that they will get their deposit back. You sell lies to people with your bull **** story of first month rent free to make people sign leases, only to recover that month through their deposits. It's no wonder that the duplex at South hills are literally occupied by less than 20 people when there's about 100 units. People are moving out and no one is moving in, talk about an investment gone to waste. You will continue to loss money because of your appalling customer service team and poor management. You are messing with the wrong lady this time around, and you will pay more than just my deposit once I am done with you.
Catherine M's updateReviewer Update
27 Feb 2020, 11:25I did not get any response from you via email, the only way to settle this is the legal way. This thing of not refunding tenants their deposit is a habit and a very bad habit at that, it's no wonder people are leaving your apartment in a mess with broken tubs and cupboards. Letting you pay more to fix the damage because they know that leaving it in good condition doesn't guarantee that they will get their deposit back. You sell lies to people with your bull **** story of first month rent free to make people sign leases, only to recover that month through their deposits. It's no wonder that the duplex at South hills are literally occupied by less than 20 people when there's about 100 units. People are moving out and no one is moving in, talk about an investment gone to waste. You will continue to loss money because of your appalling customer service team and poor management. You are messing with the wrong lady this time around, and you will pay more than just my deposit once I am done with you.
CM
Catherine M's update27 Feb 2020, 11:25
Reviewer Update
I did not get any response from you via email, the only way to settle this is the legal way. This thing of not refunding tenants their deposit is a habit and a very bad habit at that, it's no wonder people are leaving your apartment in a mess with broken tubs and cupboards. Letting you pay more to fix the damage because they know that leaving it in good condition doesn't guarantee that they will get their deposit back. You sell lies to people with your bull **** story of first month rent free to make people sign leases, only to recover that month through their deposits. It's no wonder that the duplex at South hills are literally occupied by less than 20 people when there's about 100 units. People are moving out and no one is moving in, talk about an investment gone to waste. You will continue to loss money because of your appalling customer service team and poor management. You are messing with the wrong lady this time around, and you will pay more than just my deposit once I am done with you.
Afhco Property Management's replyOfficial
27 Feb 2020, 12:05Good Day Catherine M,
We are urgently attending to your query.
Kind Regards
We are urgently attending to your query.
Kind Regards
Afhco Property Management's reply27 Feb 2020, 12:05
Official
Good Day Catherine M,
We are urgently attending to your query.
Kind Regards
We are urgently attending to your query.
Kind Regards
CM
I will await your response then before going to the rental housing department to lodge a complaint.
Catherine M's updateReviewer Update
27 Feb 2020, 13:04I will await your response then before going to the rental housing department to lodge a complaint.
CM
Catherine M's update27 Feb 2020, 13:04
Reviewer Update
I will await your response then before going to the rental housing department to lodge a complaint.
Afhco Property Management's replyOfficial
27 Feb 2020, 13:25We confirm the clause in the lease agreement as Clause 19 Cancellations 19.1
Afhco Property Management's reply27 Feb 2020, 13:25
Official
We confirm the clause in the lease agreement as Clause 19 Cancellations 19.1
CM
Catherine M's updateReviewer Update
27 Feb 2020, 13:55Please send the lease agreement copy to my email - ***
This is part of the supporting documents needed by the housing rental tribunal for my compliaint
This is part of the supporting documents needed by the housing rental tribunal for my compliaint
CM
Catherine M's update27 Feb 2020, 13:55
Reviewer Update
Please send the lease agreement copy to my email - ***
This is part of the supporting documents needed by the housing rental tribunal for my compliaint
This is part of the supporting documents needed by the housing rental tribunal for my compliaint
Afhco Property Management's replyOfficial
27 Feb 2020, 14:39Good day Catherine M
Kindly provide your unit/room number for further and urgent assistance.
Regards,
Kindly provide your unit/room number for further and urgent assistance.
Regards,
Afhco Property Management's reply27 Feb 2020, 14:39
Official
Good day Catherine M
Kindly provide your unit/room number for further and urgent assistance.
Regards,
Kindly provide your unit/room number for further and urgent assistance.
Regards,
CM
Catherine M's updateReviewer Update
27 Feb 2020, 14:45F107 South Hills Lifestyle Estate
CM
Catherine M's update27 Feb 2020, 14:45
Reviewer Update
F107 South Hills Lifestyle Estate
Afhco Property Management's replyOfficial
27 Feb 2020, 17:56Good Afternoon
Kindly note that copy of your lease agreement was e-mailed accordingly.
Thanks,
Kindly note that copy of your lease agreement was e-mailed accordingly.
Thanks,
Afhco Property Management's reply27 Feb 2020, 17:56
Official
Good Afternoon
Kindly note that copy of your lease agreement was e-mailed accordingly.
Thanks,
Kindly note that copy of your lease agreement was e-mailed accordingly.
Thanks,
CM
Catherine M's updateReviewer Update
28 Feb 2020, 09:37I have read Clause 19 Cancellations 19.1 on my lease and my lease ended on the 1st of January so there was actually nothing binding me to continue staying at your building, nowhere on my lease or on the exit form does it say I will forfeit my deposit if notification to vacate is less than 20day. The only time I will forfeit my deposit is if there are damages to the building or I haven't completed my lease, I think we have said what needs to be said. You guys are fishing at straws to try and not pay up my deposit, you have no leg to stand on so I will be lodging a formal complaint with housing rental tribunal. They will be liaising with you directly to tell you when we will be sitting with the case seeing that you are not prepared to pay what's due to me,
CM
Catherine M's update28 Feb 2020, 09:37
Reviewer Update
I have read Clause 19 Cancellations 19.1 on my lease and my lease ended on the 1st of January so there was actually nothing binding me to continue staying at your building, nowhere on my lease or on the exit form does it say I will forfeit my deposit if notification to vacate is less than 20day. The only time I will forfeit my deposit is if there are damages to the building or I haven't completed my lease, I think we have said what needs to be said. You guys are fishing at straws to try and not pay up my deposit, you have no leg to stand on so I will be lodging a formal complaint with housing rental tribunal. They will be liaising with you directly to tell you when we will be sitting with the case seeing that you are not prepared to pay what's due to me,
Afhco Property Management's replyOfficial
28 Feb 2020, 10:07Dear Catherine
We confirm as correct all information previously communicated that a deposit penalty app**** due to cancelling the notice without serving 1 calendar month/ 20 business days.
Kindly refer to our previous communications and responses as we confirm that the query has been resolved on our side.
Should you need any further assistance or require any additional information, do not hesitate to contact us at *** or telephonically on ***.
Kind Regards
Afhco Property Management's reply28 Feb 2020, 10:07
Official
Dear Catherine
We confirm as correct all information previously communicated that a deposit penalty app**** due to cancelling the notice without serving 1 calendar month/ 20 business days.
Kindly refer to our previous communications and responses as we confirm that the query has been resolved on our side.
Should you need any further assistance or require any additional information, do not hesitate to contact us at *** or telephonically on ***.
Kind Regards
CM
Catherine M's updateReviewer Update
28 Feb 2020, 10:28I will not comment any further, you will be hearing from the Housing Rental Tribunal going from now on. See you at the hearing
CM
Catherine M's update28 Feb 2020, 10:28
Reviewer Update
I will not comment any further, you will be hearing from the Housing Rental Tribunal going from now on. See you at the hearing