AIV: *********!!

AIV is currently managing The Palms sectional title apartments in Mafikeng. I own a one-bedroom ground-floor apartment in the complex. About a month ago, the owner of the apartment above mine removed my geyser, which was located in her ceiling, citing her possibly compromised safety given that the same geyser had leaked the previous year and caused extensive damage to her apartment. With the first leak, I was informed that the incident had been reported with the insurance, money had been paid, and even though I had partially repaired the geyser, the old one would be replaced with a new one. Insurance had paid for it.

When the owner decided to remove my geyser, I was never informed or asked. The complex caretaker simply told me that my geyser had been replaced and placed in front of my apartment door. I communicated with AIV management telephonically and via email, and since they could not confirm when they would send someone through to fix the problem, and I needed it to be done immediately, I was reassured that I could organize my own plumber and repairs to be made and they (AIV) would refund me. I went ahead, bought a new geyser, as the caretaker had told me the old one was worn out, and had it installed in my apartment. I sent my receipts, both for the current work done and for the repairs made the previous year, to AIV for my refund as per agreement. I have been waiting for two weeks for my refund now because AIV claims the old geyser works and I should have used that one instead.

AIV has still not sent an assessor to the complex to assess the situation. They have not even physically examined the geyser, I had to send them pictures. If they are claiming from insurance would it not be ********** to claim for something when they have not made their own investigation or assessment? Wesley, the guy that I have been communicating with, tells me via email that the caretaker told them that the geyser is not working, yet he still insists that I must prove it! I am not a plumber!! Some of us residents of The Palms we have been very unhappy with AIV service. I have requested financials because the levy charged is very high considering they don’t maintain the gardens and have provided sub-standard security. They refuse to give me the documents. I suspect my refund is being withheld because they claim there is a municipality debt that has to be paid and they are struggling to get other owners to pay their levies. Whatever reasons they may use, their conduct is unprofessional, ******** and disrespectful!! And the fact they seem to be de*****ing insurance as well, that is ********!!