BEWARE INFERIOR QUALITY APARTMENTS FROM BALWIN AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO GIVE ME WHAT I PAID FOR

In June 2017 I signed an OTP to purchase for a 3 bedroom apartment from Malakite. I noticed the floors were uneven throughout the unit and brought it to Doreen's(agent) attention and she advised that it would be corrected before I move in/bond is transferred(she had 2 months to fix this and did not fix it as promised). The property was transferred on the 24 August 2017 . It is now 4 months later and I still cannot move into the property that I have being paying for since the 24 August 2017 including bond, levies, water, CSOS, Maintenance and rates (+-R20 000 monthly). Furthermore I have to pay(R15000 monthly) to live in another apartment while I wait for them to look for matching tiles.

I was advised there are approximately 20 tiles that need to be replaced. Every week since the 24 August, Gerard and Vincent brought a tile to see if they can find a match. They attempted to replace the tiles in September which was a failure as the size of the tiles were incorrect. I am now waiting for 2 months for Balwin to get matching tiles at the expense of me paying to live in another apartment so that I can leave the new apartment empty for them to restore the tiles.

I am unable to move in as the area that needs to be repaired requires a lot of space and if I had all my furniture in the unit it would be impossible and it would result in them damaging my furniture. Vincent shifted the responsibility and said I should move in and if they damage anything then they will cover the costs. I did not move in because I know there is no logical way for them to re-tile without damaging my furniture. Why would I move my furniture in knowing its going to get damaged. They have damaged furniture in my previous property that they are aware of which was not replaced. I decided to put up curtains at the very least so I can move in immediately once the tiles are fixed as I cannot afford to pay for 2 apartments concurrently any longer.

I installed custom made curtains in the new apartment which was done by an interior designer. This weekend they attempted to replace the tiles but damaged more tiles and furthermore they tied the curtains with a rope to bin packets which creased,squashed and destroyed my new custom made designer curtains which was in a wave design and now looks like folded pointed rags. They also fitted chipped tiles as they ran out of "almost matching tiles" and asked me where I would rather have the chipped tiles positioned as a dining table can cover it up. I was speechless.

From the onset I told them that I cannot wait for them to get a matching tile and I paid for a brand new fully tiled unit and they need to re-tile the entire unit with matching tiles if they have to as I cannot move in until this is rectified as it covers a large area of the house that needs re-tiling so do what needs to be done and give me what I paid for. To date this matter is not sorted out and my apartment is left dirty/untidy and half done jobs each time. They send a cleaning lady that uses the same mop from outside to mop my apartment and the same cloth and water that is used for the outside floor is used to wipe my kitchen table tops. Balwin has no respect for my home and wants me to move into the unit with my furniture yet they will not treat/respect my home as their own and when I leave only a curtain and couch, they manage to destroy the curtains and disrespect my property.

I warn new home owners to beware as both properties that I have purchased from Balwin required re-tiling and instead of re-tiling the entire unit, they try to save costs and fit un-matching chipped tiles. Things like "skirtings" that broke when they removed tiles near it, and instead of replacing it they repair the skirting with skimmer and touch up jobs. There is also a huge gap between the skirting and tiles which they intend on covering with silicone. Silicone diminishes with time and mopping and later on I will have huge holes in my floor which will result in insect infestations. Its been 2 months and I have to pay a bond and levies on 2 balwin properties due to waiting on tiles from balwin as they would rather look far and wide for a match at my expense rather than rectifying the problem in the first week. They yell at me when I tell them I just want what I paid for and I do not want to settle for less than what I have paid for. I intended buying an investment in Cape Town at DeZicht Phase 5 but boy have I learnt my lesson. Please beware!