1 reviews | Active since Jul 2023
Levy@service ASTRODON
Astrodon is a total disappointment to us, and I believe too many more, especially if you look at all the complaints here on Hello Peter…. We bought a Unit at Three Mountains Estate in 2021. Astrodon is in charge of managing the levies and maintenance of this complex. When we were still in process of purchasing this property I asked Astrodon to explain to me exactly for what is the Levy, CSOS Levy and Reserve Levy, I was referred to the annual budget information. What came to my attention is expenses include municipal account, admin fees, repair & maintenance, other expenses. Even though we have to pay extra for water, electricity, rates and taxes. Seeing in the light that these units are sectional title, Astrodon is supposed to utilize our levies to maintain the complex, now we are forced to repair and paint our houses and walls on the outside, in a certain time frame, at our expense (about R23,000-00), even though the complex was supposed to be painted quite a while ago, long before we moved there, but was not done. Plumbers must come and fix the drainage system at least every third week, this morning again there was a huge blockage. The main gate is also broken regularly and the perimeter lights. On 27 June, I reported to Astrodon that there is damage on my geyser and that I want to claim from the complex insurance seeing in the light that most of the houses experience the same damage on their geysers. The lady then stated I must get a plumber to fix the problem (is this not Astrodon;s responsibility to send out a plumber, seeing in the light that this is an insurance claim? And to get the problem fixed). Not explaining to me that I must first pay the plumber. So I waited 8 days after submitting the quotation (following up basically every day) to Astrodon, living with this damage and losing a lot of water (which I will be billed for). That is when I contacted them again where I got no reply. I then instructed the plumber to repair, I then send the invoice to Astrodon. The total amount for repairs was R1,700-00. According to Astrodon the insurer, Old Mutual is only going to pay out R700-00 seeing in the light that “””MY””” excess is R1,000-00, how is this possible for our levy include insurance cover! We pay so much, but for what?? Please be careful of Astrodon and/ or buying in Three Mountains for most of the houses has a crack in the floor from front door to back door. The walls are all skew and plaster exist of more sand than cement (if you slightly bump the wall, a huge part of the wall fall to the ground). The plumbing and electricity is also not up to standard. We have a whole in one of the walls just beneath the roof, which we fixed, for there is seriously zero to nothing maintenance. I think it is in everybody’s best interest if Astrodon can be investigated on the management of incoming and outgoing funds. Perhaps if we as owners can receive proof on management of funds to give us peace of mind. Thank you
We refer you to the AGM held 11 March 2023, in particular the approved budget and levy calculation as approved by you and the other 19 owners in attendance. The budget determines the levy calculation of a particular scheme in conjunction with each units PQ. The owners approve the annual budgets in relation to maintenance and it's evident that you do not understand that not all levies are only for maintenance, and we refer you to the STSMA and PMR which regulates Sectional Title Schemes, and you will note that there's an Administrative Budget and a 10 year maintenance plan. These budgets are approved by the owners not the managing agent in terms of what they want to attend to and budget for, which in turns totals your levy contribution.
In terms of the plumbing repairs to your unit, we once again refer you to the STSMA and PMR, of which it's clear that the section claiming in terms of hot water supply would be liable for the excess. The below is the facts in terms of your claim for all to see. It's once again evident that you are blaming the managing agent for applying the regulations as prescribed as it does not suit you:
"Este send me an email with regards to water leaking from the overflow and also with regards to a pipe that had burst inside the complex. I did explain to her that caretaker was in contact with the plumbers (Perfect Plumbing / Plumex) and they were attending to the leak after which we will be submitting an insurance claim for the pipe burst. I also explained to her that the problem with the geyser is a faulty pressure valve. I provided her with the contact details of Perfect Plumbing / Plumex, as they were already working in the complex to assist with the pressure valve. On the 29th June Este send me a quotation asking whether Perfect Plumbing / Plumex can proceed with the work and I advised her that they should have done so already and that she did not have to wait to obtain a quotation. Also advised her that the pressure valve was for their account but that we will submit an insurance claim on their behalf to see if the insurance would pay. Este send me the invoice and proof of payment for the work done by Perfect Plumbing / Plumex. We submitted the insurance claim and when paid out, the letter was loaded and send to the owner. The total cost for the work was R1 700-00 and insurance paid R700-00 as the excess is R1 000-00. Este then shouted at the insurance claims lady that she must be paid the full R1 700-00 and not just R700-00. "
We further confirm that all owners receive annual financial statements in terms of the regulations and trustees receive monthly detailed financial statements of the scheme. Any owner could request a copy of the monthly financials from the trustees or attend the trustees meetings, alternatively make an appointment at our offices to view such financials in terms of the regulations.
We trust that the above would clarify the matter and confirm as managing agents we apply the prescribed regulations of which it's each owners responsibility whom purchases a Sectional Title unit to be aware of the regulation governing such schemes.
We refer you to the AGM held 11 March 2023, in particular the approved budget and levy calculation as approved by you and the other 19 owners in attendance. The budget determines the levy calculation of a particular scheme in conjunction with each units PQ. The owners approve the annual budgets in relation to maintenance and it's evident that you do not understand that not all levies are only for maintenance, and we refer you to the STSMA and PMR which regulates Sectional Title Schemes, and you will note that there's an Administrative Budget and a 10 year maintenance plan. These budgets are approved by the owners not the managing agent in terms of what they want to attend to and budget for, which in turns totals your levy contribution.
In terms of the plumbing repairs to your unit, we once again refer you to the STSMA and PMR, of which it's clear that the section claiming in terms of hot water supply would be liable for the excess. The below is the facts in terms of your claim for all to see. It's once again evident that you are blaming the managing agent for applying the regulations as prescribed as it does not suit you:
"Este send me an email with regards to water leaking from the overflow and also with regards to a pipe that had burst inside the complex. I did explain to her that caretaker was in contact with the plumbers (Perfect Plumbing / Plumex) and they were attending to the leak after which we will be submitting an insurance claim for the pipe burst. I also explained to her that the problem with the geyser is a faulty pressure valve. I provided her with the contact details of Perfect Plumbing / Plumex, as they were already working in the complex to assist with the pressure valve. On the 29th June Este send me a quotation asking whether Perfect Plumbing / Plumex can proceed with the work and I advised her that they should have done so already and that she did not have to wait to obtain a quotation. Also advised her that the pressure valve was for their account but that we will submit an insurance claim on their behalf to see if the insurance would pay. Este send me the invoice and proof of payment for the work done by Perfect Plumbing / Plumex. We submitted the insurance claim and when paid out, the letter was loaded and send to the owner. The total cost for the work was R1 700-00 and insurance paid R700-00 as the excess is R1 000-00. Este then shouted at the insurance claims lady that she must be paid the full R1 700-00 and not just R700-00. "
We further confirm that all owners receive annual financial statements in terms of the regulations and trustees receive monthly detailed financial statements of the scheme. Any owner could request a copy of the monthly financials from the trustees or attend the trustees meetings, alternatively make an appointment at our offices to view such financials in terms of the regulations.
We trust that the above would clarify the matter and confirm as managing agents we apply the prescribed regulations of which it's each owners responsibility whom purchases a Sectional Title unit to be aware of the regulation governing such schemes.
First of all. Please dont phone me again in regard with this matter. I am not the only one that complain about the poor service. It is clear that you want to attack owners as soon as we complain. It is obvious that the levies are not only for maintenance.... THAT IS WHY I REQUEST INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER BY A THIRD PARTY.
******, our email correspondence, in regard with the geyser, you recommended the plumbers which are utilized for the (continues) burst pipes. They did not respond to my call, so I used another plumber. Did you, at any time, explain to me the procedure to follow with this claim? No. Thats why I waited 8days for your response and had no other choice as to continue with the repair out of my pocket. Not to mention the large amounts of water that we lost and obvious we are going to pay for it as well.. Did you inform me prior to the claim that Old Mutual is going to keep me, as owner, responsible for an excess of R1000 on the total amount of R1700. I also mentioned in our correspondence that there is more houses with exactly the same problem.... this includes the building and plaster work as well, as previously mentioned.
Matter of the fact, a well known complex close to Three Mountains is managed by Attorneys with an average levy of R1200 which include all maintenance, water, rates and taxes, etc. Only additional charges is the electricity. This complex is well maintained.
I am staying in this complex for nearly 2 years and I dont see any improvement.
Nothing gets resolved, so please dont reply futher.
Request to the community, please, never keep quiet if you feel offended by companies.
Thank you Hellopeter
First of all. Please dont phone me again in regard with this matter. I am not the only one that complain about the poor service. It is clear that you want to attack owners as soon as we complain. It is obvious that the levies are not only for maintenance.... THAT IS WHY I REQUEST INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER BY A THIRD PARTY.
******, our email correspondence, in regard with the geyser, you recommended the plumbers which are utilized for the (continues) burst pipes. They did not respond to my call, so I used another plumber. Did you, at any time, explain to me the procedure to follow with this claim? No. Thats why I waited 8days for your response and had no other choice as to continue with the repair out of my pocket. Not to mention the large amounts of water that we lost and obvious we are going to pay for it as well.. Did you inform me prior to the claim that Old Mutual is going to keep me, as owner, responsible for an excess of R1000 on the total amount of R1700. I also mentioned in our correspondence that there is more houses with exactly the same problem.... this includes the building and plaster work as well, as previously mentioned.
Matter of the fact, a well known complex close to Three Mountains is managed by Attorneys with an average levy of R1200 which include all maintenance, water, rates and taxes, etc. Only additional charges is the electricity. This complex is well maintained.
I am staying in this complex for nearly 2 years and I dont see any improvement.
Nothing gets resolved, so please dont reply futher.
Request to the community, please, never keep quiet if you feel offended by companies.
Thank you Hellopeter