Atholl Yards

Poor security, lack of cooperation from management and thieving tenants

I lived at Atholl Yards from December 2022 until February 2026. During that time I tried to be a responsible and respectful tenant. My rent was always paid on time and I maintained cordial relationships with staff and other residents. Unfortunately, my experience in the final months of my tenancy raised serious concerns about the management of the building and the way tenant safety issues are handled. In the first week of December 2025 my unit (Unit 212) was broken into and my work laptop, valued at approximately R25,000, was ****** from inside my apartment. I later discovered that another unit in the building had also been burglarised around the same time. I reported the incident immediately to building security and the property management team. While I initially received communication indicating that the matter would be investigated, this was unfortunately followed by a lack of meaningful engagement and, ultimately, silence despite several follow ups. One of the most frustrating aspects of this situation was that I required an investigation report to support my employer’s insurance claim for the ****** work device. I explained this repeatedly to management and advised that, without the report, I would be personally liable for the insurance excess. Despite this, and despite assurances that feedback would be provided, no report was ever issued. What was even more disappointing was the complete lack of care shown after the incident. At no point did anyone from management check in to ask whether I was safe or whether any additional support or security measures were required. As a tenant living alone, this was extremely unsettling. Following the break-in I no longer felt safe in my own apartment. I had to take additional security measures at my own expense, including changing locks and installing additional door bolts. Even simple routines such as leaving the apartment briefly became anxiety inducing. To date I have not observed meaningful improvements to building security. Entry points are frequently left open which undermines the biometric access system, and there appears to be limited control over who is able to enter the premises. The CCTV system also appears poorly positioned and does not inspire confidence as a deterrent to crime. It is important to note that the on-site staff, including security, maintenance and the laundry team, were generally helpful and professional. Individuals such as Zulu and Nyandeni from security, as well as the maintenance staff, were always courteous and tried their best to assist where they could. However, the broader management response to a serious security incident left much to be desired. Ultimately, due to the lack of accountability, communication and meaningful security response following the burglary, I made the decision to move out of the building. For prospective tenants, I would strongly encourage asking detailed questions about building security, incident response procedures and management communication before deciding to live here. While the location and some of the staff are positive aspects of the building, my experience highlighted significant concerns regarding tenant support and safety management.