Evicted Under False Suspicions and Defamation of Character

I was a tenant with Central Development Properties in Olievenhoutbosch, Centurion since February 2016. Upon my application I was shown a unit I would be moving into at their Estate 3 and upon signing the contract and day of occupation I was then given a different unit. No problem there since it was at least the same size unit as the one originally shown. After occupying a unit in this estate year 2016 was not so easy. There were numerous break-ins and car thefts and high-jackings in and around the complex. For my safety and because the Estate allowed pets I got myself and dog, then and puppy, and continued living there as I had no incidents in my yard or with my surrounding neighbors.

During the course of living there in 2016, 2017, 2018 there were consistent claims of break-ins and theft around all 4 Estates owned by Central Development but what was puzzling is none of them were forced break-ins. Since I wasn't affected by this I didn't worry much instead I followed their rules around security. Alarms were installed, internal locks were installed to improve our safety, security companies changed a number of times. All this didn't seem to alleviate the problem instead things kept getting worse. People were moved around the estates as they complained of their safety. During this time in 2018 I had stayed here now for just a little over 2 years and out of being known a bit a made friends within the 4 Estates. This couldn't have been the worst mistake I made in my life but it turns out it was.

Through making friends and being a nice friendly person it seems I then created enemies with Central Development employees at Thatch Hill Estate. I became the victim of having my car searched daily by security every time I left or entered the complex. This was new to me cause in the 2 years prior to 2018 I was never searched but I thought nothing of it cause I knew there were issues in the complexes thus this was just them taking precautionary measures, so I thought. Only to realize over time that my vehicle and some friends who lived in the same Estates and even my visitors were being searched while many other tenants didn't go through the same scrutiny I was facing. Upon inquiring diligently with the security I found that they were doing this under the authority of Central Development management and only to a few selected individuals because we were being suspected of ******** activity. I took no action as no one had come to me and personally accused me of anything so I didn't want to stir up pots that weren't cooking.

Fast forward to 2019 March. At this time I had renewed my lease again in January 2019 starting in February for the next 6 months. I chose a shorter period this time as I planning to relocate as I was feeling very unfairly treated now. My lease was now to end on the 31 July 2019 but on the 1 April 2019 around 19:43 I get an email from a marketer representing Central Development with an attached "Notice of Sale". This notice says that the landlord has sold the property thus they request me to vacate the promises by the 30 April 2019. Thinking it's an April fools joke I responding saying this must be a joke as my lease ends in August and I need to be duly notified. The next day 2 April 2019 the same marketer responds saying that though my lease ends in a few months they a liable to giving me only 1 months notice. I then ask them if I can be moved to another unit, as there were plenty open, till my actual lease agreement ends but they refuse saying there are no units available and I have to source my own accommodation. From this day on-wards my days become a constant worry as I am employed as a technical supervisor at my work place and I work shifts how do I find accommodation for my family in such short notice. During this time I am having termination notices sent to me pushing for a signature, out of desperation I seek legal advise where I am then advised to request and extension for at least a month to help me secure a new home for my family. This is granted and I am allowed to stay for April and in May the lease will be terminated. Please note that during this time as well a few of the tenants I know are also being evicted the same way.

In search for a new home I keep getting declined even by agents and home owners who had units in the complex for rental call me up but when I explain to them that I am located in the same complex and being evicted they cannot assist me. I continue to struggle with outside applications too not really being given a valid reason why. Eventually end of May comes and an exit inspection is done, however my account is debited still for a new month’s rental and upon asking why I am told I have not signed termination of lease. I advise it was not signed because none of the options given as reason for termination app**** to me. I am then given a new termination letter stating lease is terminated as the property has been sold and I sign. I am told that I need to reverse the debit collected with my bank and I will be refunded my deposit in 14 working days.

On the 20th June 2019, yesterday, around 10:03am I get an email with an attached "Letter of Demand" from a collections company representing Central Development on collection of funds. In this letter of demand I am told that I owe Central Development an amount of R3661.81. I query the amount as I was expecting a refund of my deposit. I then get an email entitled "10876 Ref Pack" which gets recalled again and this then raises my suspicion. By God's grace the email is not recalled and I get to see the contents of my contract with Central Development. Upon reading I find 1 very important piece of information that had been bothering me for months to a year, this information states that I was informed that my lease was terminated due to property being sold when actually it was terminated because I am no longer wanted there because I am "suspected" of ******** activity. In addition my reason for contract termination was edited and incorrect contact details listed of which to me this alteration of client information of which within itself is a crime.

This totally infuriated me at the same time broke me, to think that after staying with them for almost 4 years paying a rental of R7500 monthly legally via debit order from my monthly hard worked for and deposited salary I was treated like a common ******** and even suspected without an ounce of proof. Which housebreaking, car *****ing, ******** can afford to have a monthly income and pay rental of over R7500 including water and lights via debit order without default or rental complaints for over 3 years consecutively. I must come highly recommended and should be one of the most sophisticated common ******** to ever live. Since being evicted from Thatch Hill Estate I have had no luck finding accommodation and if I did at this point I do not have sufficient funds to move and secure a place. My family and I have been displaced for the past 21 days, begging close friends and at times strangers for a place to rest our heads just so I can be able to get to work and earn my next monthly salary and see what means of a new home we can make. My work my life has been drastically affected as some days I wouldn't make it and performance dropped due to constant stress and worry. I have had to take unnecessary days off just cause I couldn't get to work at times. Today my partner called central development and asked to speak to Karabo (Estate Sales Assistant) as he was the one sending the emails. Karabo said he does not recall when the emails were sent and the time; she then proceeded to give him the date and time along with the people copied in the email, he said he will ask Abrie (Estate Manager) to call. After hours they called her back but this time it was Michael (Estate Sales Assistant); one of the copies people in all the email communication. Michael said he apologizes as he asked all the people on the email and they all said it was a mistake they put the wrong house number. She asked him why is it that if the house was sold they didn't relocate us to another unit as they state in their contract, which was never done instead we were told that there were no more units available (funny how there were no units available at the time but yet there were dozens of adverts on Property 24 and other rental agencies that had units at this estate even non-agents. Every attempt to apply with them was declined or no one ever got back to us obviously after enquiring with Abrie and team who would have told them that we are *********). I would think after being a reliable tenant for over 4 years with no issues Central Development would have taken more care in how they handle their tenant complaints and actually do proper investigation. I have every communication to proof that Central Development and their agents were only on a mission to get rid of us tenants of a suspicion basis and hear say without any proof. My family and I have been displaced and our lives disrupted by Central Development that we are unable to obtain accommodation anywhere else because of the bad referral they give potential agents.

I am extremely disgusted on Central Development has chosen to handle this matter and for them labeling my family and myself as ********* with no evidence to support such. I will be taken legal action to the highest and also take on this company for bringing my name into disrepute.

I would not recommend Central Development to anyone I know or interested in their property. They deserve a zero star rating with the number of complaints they have.