MM
Mandisa M

1 reviews | Active since Jul 2021

12 Jul 2021, 12:48

Cohen Property

I bought a house from Cohen in PE. They informed me that the house will be ready for occupation on the 1st of April 2021. As I was staying far from PE I couldn't move in. It was suggested that it be rented till the bond registration is finalized as the rent will go directly to the developer the tenant was to communicate with them on any issues arising. On the 2nd of July I emailed the developer to enquire on the rent and how things were to proceed in regards to rent payment I was instructed to communicate with the tenant and was furnished with her contacts. When I called her I was shocked to discover that the house had many problems I.e cracks, roof leaks, electrical problems. The tenant informed me that these issues were escalated to the developer from the beginning of April and no response to date. I sent them an email and the only response was that the issue will be escalated and no response after that

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Replies (10)
Cohen Property Developers
Cohen Property Developers's reply13 Jul 2021, 17:32
Official
  Good day Mrs Mancam  It was extremely uncalled for to put this on 'Hello Peter' as we have assisted you from the beginning with all your requests. We have not received a 90 day snag list from you, the only snag we received was the crack in the wall which is not structural and we will attend to this.  We have responded to your email on 2 July 2021 informing you that this matter will be taken up with the director as no snag list was provided within the 90 day period and wanted to see how we can assist.  After purchasing your property you had some requests with regards to placing a tenant for you, manage the tenant liaise with you and the tenant with regards to security measures and we have done this as a courtesy and at no cost to you.  We pride ourselves in our Developments and Design of our Homes. We have images as proof that the House was completed, signed off and in perfect order.  We do not appreciate your review on Hellopeter as all issues communicated with us have been sorted.  If you wish to communicate further, please email us. Thank you  

Best regards,

MM
Mandisa M's update14 Jul 2021, 15:45
Reviewer Update
Good day

I would first like to appreciated hellopeter for their intervention as I have finally recieved a response from the developer after numerous calls and emails without response.

The developer states that it is extremely uncalled for that I have involved hellopeter to voice out my dissatisfaction with their conduct, which to my knowledge hellopeter is a platform meant for consumers to get assistance concerning their dissatisfaction of which that is what I did.

I appreciate the developer for finding me a tenant but they must remember I was looking for a recommendation for a rental agent that was going to help me find a tenant for my house as I was not around PE and they indicated that they will assist as they also have a rental department.

The tenant occupied the house on the 1st of March 2021and on that day she identified some defect and communicated them with the developer with pictures as she did not have my contacts which were followed by other messages and pictures of other defects but nothing was fixed. I drove(700kms) to PE as per arrangement with the developer to have the house keys only on arrival I was informed that the keys are with the tenant so I was unable to do the walk in inspection with the developer. I was only aware of the defect when I called the tenant regarding rent issue and the tenant told me of the defects. I sent an email to your office and only an acknowledgement and a promise to escalate the issue was the response I received and no response to a further email I sent days after.

The developer is citing that I never gave a 90 day snag list which was never communicated to me but thanks to the proactiveness of the tenant who identified defects on the day of occupation and communicated them to the developer with pictures and followed by numerous other pictures and messages citing all defects of the house. Since we are on that note the tenant has listed a long list of defects as the following

1. Garage roof leak
2. crack on both side of the wall
3. Outside spotlight which was never connected and with hanging wires.
4. Front door lock
5. Gap on top of front door
6. bathroom towel rail that was on the floor on the day of occupation with a bent rod
7. 8 downlights not working
8. Braai light which is always fusing as it is connected to the same switch as the outside light
9. Continuous toilet blockage which indicates plumbing problem
10. Garage door not opening from the outside
11. bathroom tile that has gaps beneath

I have communicated with the tenant to show you any other defects that she might have picked up that are not listed above as I suspect that the whole house is about to collapse. I will make time to come to PE for inspection after these defects have been fixed as I have no confidence in the developer anymore

As the developer you've stated that you pride yourself with your development and design and that you have images that prove that the house was signed off and perfect. Please note I don't see anything to pride yourself with when I see the defects in my house. Images taken after the houses has been painted most times hide the poor workmanship which is the case in this instance. For a R1.2 million house with these many defects just after a few months is not value for money. I would appreciate if the developer could immediately send me the CoC certificated as I am worried of the electrical work so that I may send it to the insurance.

Your comment which state "we do not appreciate your review on hellopeter as all issues communicated with us has been sorted" is a lie as nothing has been done despite of all the attempts made by both yourself and the tenant.


I wanted to attach the pictures and messages of the defects that the tenant sent to the developer but I can't find an option to do so however I will keep them on my file.


Cohen Property Developers
Cohen Property Developers's reply16 Jul 2021, 13:04
Official
Good Day,  I have read your review.   I have also investigated the allegations made by you.  The allegations are clearly wrong and further defamatory of nature towards the Company.  Notwithstanding the provisions in the Offer to Sale, a 90 day period being provided for a snag list, we bona fide entertained your request and was more than wiling to assist you.  You have however elected to approach Hello Peter in attempt to launch a smearing campaign against us.   Due to your conduct, we have no other option but to refer this matter to our attorneys for their advice and consideration.   We are also not wiling to respond or communicate with you through Hello Peter.  Your are more than welcome to set up a meeting to discuss your grievances at the property.   We trust you find the above in order. 

Best regards,

MM
Mandisa M's update16 Jul 2021, 17:06
Reviewer Update
I will check your availability and set the meeting up. But due to Covid I will confirm the date in two weeks time.
MM
Mandisa M's update18 Nov 2021, 12:20
Reviewer Update
We met with the owner of Cohen property and discussed the issue of the house and he promised to fix the defects in the house. I will await from them on the exact date they will fix them
Cohen Property Developers
Cohen Property Developers's reply22 Nov 2021, 16:50
Official
 Good day Mandisa  We would like to thank you for meeting with us on site and for coming to the conclusion that these were minor snags. We appreciate the fact that we have come to an agreement and understanding. As per communication via email we will attend to these minor snags. Have a lovely day further  

Best regards,

Cohen Property Developers
Cohen Property Developers's reply08 Feb 2022, 15:14
Official
Thank you, Mandisa. All of the above has been signed off

Best regards,

MM
Mandisa M's update08 Feb 2022, 18:45
Reviewer Update
Good day. I am very surprised at this. There must be a communication breakdown somewhere asto my knowledge there are a few things that were not yet attended that were awaiting approval from the manager i.e
The tiles in the bathroom and the step
Further more the person who was doing the cracks did not do a proper job as they are still a problem.

Kind regards

Mandisa

MM
Mandisa M's update24 Mar 2022, 10:16
Reviewer Update
Good morning Cohen properties.

It has been more than a month since my enquiry and to date there has been no response and not yet been told who signed them off. The agreement was that you would let me know when so I can inspect the work and both agree on it. How am I supposed to think of the company and their dealings
Cohen Property Developers
Cohen Property Developers's reply24 Mar 2022, 17:17
Official
Good day Mrs Mancam

We have a signed off snag list. It was agreed upon by both parties that the tenant was able to sign it off as you are not in Port Elizabeth. Regarding the whatsapp that was sent this morning to Ashika, we will look into the matter

Have a lovely day Further

Best regards,