Grifter

Brigette Bell is running a grift.

Outlined below is my experience, I am reviewing my stay honestly, so that others are informed and are able to make better informed decisions than I was able to.

I came to see cottage 4 on 03/06, I explained that I needed accommodation for a month at that stage, and may need to extend, depending on whether my property was ready for occupation at that stage.

I was taken to see the cottage and noticed that there was severe water damage in the lounge area. Brigette informed me that this would be sorted out in the first few weeks I was there and explained that it was because of a current tenant who placed his potted plants against the wall and watered it without considering the damage it would cause.

She also pre-emptively explained that the furniture (it is “fully furnished” and “serviced” accommodation) was “a little old”, but they would be replacing it. I learned after occupation that the furniture is Severely damaged.

I looked around and asked why there were so many cupboards in the bedroom – the additional free-standing cupboards make the place small and cluttered. I was told it was always there, and on the basis that I was staying for a shorter period, did not push the subject any further.

The bathroom has a small tub and a hand shower. I was not too fussed about it at the time, because I figured that the hand shower would suffice for the short period I was there.

I booked and paid for a month on 03/06 and checked in on 04/06. Brigette had said that there was a “contract” she was going to give me to outline the services offered and define my “short-term rental”. I was never sent this, despite my requests.

On the day I moved in, I noticed that there was no crockery, cutlery, carpets, microwave or any of the amenities you would expect in a fully furnished, serviced accommodation, she was very matter of fact, and told me that I would need to sort those out for myself. In order to not create a fight, and because I have those items, I simply moved my own things in.

When I moved in, I moved the furniture to make the room a little more accessible, and on doing so noticed the severe water damage on the bedroom wall – based on Brigette’s prior excuse for the damage on the lounge wall, it made no sense. I then noticed that there are massive JoJo tanks on the roof of the cottage, I also noticed that there was severe water damage in the bathroom – I had not noticed it on my original visit and assume that it was because there was no electricity/light and that the paint is textured, which made it less visible.

I was also told in a matter-of-fact way, after I check in, that there was a problem with the water, as there was copper in it. I checked, and Glen Austin does not have a heavy metal problem in the water supply, the pipes are so old in this place and are degrading so badly that they are leeching copper into the water supply, and you can see it in the bath, basin and toilet – in all fairness, I had originally thought it was dirt and tried to clean it.

After loading electricity on the meter, I turned the geyser on and a few hours later noticed that 27 units had been used, I had only turned the geyser on and discounted the high usage as being a result of the geyser not being on for a while.

Unfortunately, this high usage persisted for days, so I asked Brigette if this type of usage was normal for this property, she launched into me, saying it was winter and that electricity usage was high at this time of the year and that the cost of electricity had increased. I explained to her that as much as the cost had gone up and that usage was higher in winter, that it seemed extreme to be using almost 30 units of electricity a day on just the geyser, based on my experience, and that the cost of a unit, and the use of a unit were different measures. As a comparative, I used a prepaid meter in Cape Town City Bowl , in a larger property and used an average of 150 units a month for all my needs.

I then went on a discovery mission, I started by only turning on the geyser for 90minutes to heat it – any less than this the water is tepid – it used up to 20 units per heating (likely because of the significant drop in temperature between heating).

I also called Builders Warehouse as the geyser was branded and spoke to their team. I was told that the geyser, if installed correctly should use 14-16 units a day in a scenario where I was using the hot water once a day.

I asked what constituted “installed correctly”, and was told that the particular geyser I was enquiring about was to be installed in the ceiling. The geyser for cottage 4 is mounted to the wall outside (temperatures drop to -2 degrees Celsius). I was advised to get a geyser blanket to assist with heat retention as a result of the erroneous installation.

I again spoke to Brigette about the geyser and told her about what I was advised, she took off at me, telling me that she’ll give me my money back and I could leave immediately.

The following day she and her grandson arrived with a geyser blanket, it has large red letters emblazoned on it, stating, “Not for outside use”.

At any rate, they did something, so I opened up and let them in to attach the blanket.

They could not figure out the ties, and simply placed the blanket on top of the geyser, it slipped off within an hour. Realising that they were “done” with this effort, I got out a roll of masking tape and taped the blanket onto the geyser as best I could.

While the blanket did help, it was marginal, 3 / 4 units saved per use.

I had needed to extend my booking because my property was not ready to occupy and spoke to Brigette, saying that I would stay up to and including 31/07 (3 more weeks), she agreed, and I paid for the 3 weeks.

Brigette then confronted me saying that I had short paid her, she has still not justified this or indicated what I paid short.

Included in the cost of the accommodation is cleaning and laundry once a week.

I had noticed that Brigette’s **** was throwing away small things every week (garlic, onions, ******, etc.) , and spoke to Brigette asking if she could ask the **** to please pay attention. Brigette refused.

On the next occasion the **** threw away the filter grid for my moka pot, this renders the R1200 device useless, so I spoke to the ****, saying, this is what’s happened, it is now costing me, please pay attention when you work.

The **** threw a tantrum, and Brigette sent me a message saying that cleaning and laundry would no longer be done – please note that this is a paid for service, included in the accommodation cost.

I received a letter under my door on 10/07 saying that my “monthly tenancy” – I did not have a monthly tenancy, so that was confusing – will cease on 31/08 – I had paid, up to and including the evening of the 31st – and this is because the water damage needed to be fixed. At this point, I refer you back to the original conversation where she had assured me that the damage would be tended to weeks prior and was not – this appears to have been a convenient excuse, used to enact her vile intentions.

Two (2) days later, Brigette comes around to the cottage insisting that I allow a woman she has brought with to view the cottage. I asked the woman when she was planning on moving in, and she responded, “I need it from August first (1st)” I refused her access and stated that my time here has been an absolute nightmare and that she should reconsider.

Brigette appears to be running a grift.

She has people – women specifically – rent this cottage, which is in a terrible state, she makes promises about things she’s going to fix or correct and then turns into an absolute horror once you have made payment.

Good luck if you choose to stay here, having been told what this witch is like.