Refunding of Deposit

<p>I undertook a lease agreement for a unit at Highveld View Estate in Witbank. Prior to signing the actual lease agreement, I asked the agent in charge should I have to terminate the lease early due to unforeseen circumstances would a one month notics period be sufficient? I was told: " it is sufficient time and we are not bad people, we do understand situations and therefore you would get your deposit provided there replacement tenant".</p> <p>This gave me faith in taking on the lease with central development. The unfortunate situation had arose where I had to terminate my lease early and therefore gave a one month notice of termination. During the one month that I had left, I was told that I must make sure that I vacate the premises by the last day of April 2016 as there was a replacement tenant moving in on the first of May 2016. I was told by the agent that I would be receiving my full deposit to be paid to me by central developments as there were no advertising costs incurred.</p> <p>On the day we vacated, the unit was left in a better condition than what we received it in. I have taken photos as proof as we did not want to lose our deposit.</p> <p>A week later I contacted the agent to find out when will the deposit be refunded, the agent responded that central development will make the payment. Two weeks past and I contacted the agent again and I was told that all payments are made at the end of the month and that I should wait till the end if the month to receive my deposit. He then stated that if we still hadnt received the deposit by the first week of June we should contact him. The first week of June had approached we still hadnt received our deposit and therfore we contacted the agent again only to receive a response from Ane Wentzel that it was an early termination and therefore the deposit will not be refunded. I then responded with the clause in the lease agreement that states that in the event of an early termination should there a replacement tenant, I will only be liable for advertising costs. I was told the matter will be reviewed. Only a few days later I find out that it was not reviewd. I received a response that the advertising costs were more than the deposit. I then requested proof for advertising costs. I received a response from Carel Wentzel stating that the costs are for billboards and costs for advertising freely available at the Witbank news.</p> <p>As I see it and so does everyone the billboards have always been placed on the roads throughout the year and is a general adverti*****t for the complex and not for specific units and this cost should not be held against tenants as a reason to not refund deposits. I then also approached the Witbank news and enquired about advertising costs for advertisments for highveld view estate for the month of April 2016. Only to be told and seen that there were adverti*****ts placed for the month of April 2016, hence no advertising costs were incurred by central developments.</p> <p> </p> <p><br />I WANT MY DEPOSIT BACK IN FULL. Stop making false reasons to withhold deposits from innocent hard working people.</p> <p> </p> <p><br />Ps. Based on other peoples reviews I hope Willie Smith can resolve this matter urgently</p>