1 reviews | Active since Mar 2015
Worst rental agent
I had the worst experience with Cohen Properties. I relocated from Cape Town and had a week to look at places. Found a property close to my childrens school so took it. The place was fnished so I did not see the condition of the tiles but was assured it would be fixed. The tiles was broken and posed a danger. Month after month I was told it was with the "big boss" to approve. They came out once to relay a few tiles but it was uneven and they never bothered to grout it. Finally 3 months before my lease was up, I was told that they would replace it but that I would need to find accomodation for the period it was going to be fixed. I am a programmer that works from home so not only would I need to pay for accomodation for th period but also for my data needs, so thought it was not worth it for the short time left. Another issue I had was blocked drains. There are 3 houses built on 1 property. The sewage pipes ran under the house I was renting where it connected to the sewage pipes of the other 2 houses next door. On 2 occasions the drain got blocked, the first time it lasted about 3 days before it was resolved, the second time it took about 3 weeks before it was finally resolved. In this time I had sewage water running all along the one side of the house. Another issue I had was with electricity usage. The one month I went to buy prepaid electricity and was told that the account was locked. I informed Cohen who sent out an electrician to do some sort of "bypass" while they were sorting out the issue. The main box also sits on the property next door. When it was finally resolved the electricain came to remove the "bypass". that month I paid almost double the amount I had previously paid for electricity. I phoned in and said that there was something not right. With load shedding I also got my gas refilled I started using my gas stove and never used the electric stove again. Still it was using more electricity than usual, and I was told everything was connected properly. I decided to switch off the power by the mains and I could see that there was still electricity being used. Sent Cohen the proof, took a reading when I turned it off and then again 30 minutes later. They said they would send someone out which up to today I don't know if someone came. I could not wait to get out of there. On the day I handed the keys over, I enquired about my deposit. I was told it took 14 working days which is not in the lease agreement and never mentioned. After the 14 working days, I enquired about my deposit and was told the person was busy with wages. I informed them that I had contector coming to do work at my new premises and scheduled for this weekend know I was supposed to get my deposit, it never mattered to them. The Saturday I phone again and this time I was told that the person responsible for payments was busy with an issue on site. It looks like the issue took the whole day. Up to now I still have not received my deposit. I will never use Cohen properties again as they don't look after their clients. Just received proof of payment and from the R8550 deposit invested for 13 months, I am only getting back R1728. Trying to get an explanation but the lady is not answering.
Regarding your post:
Tiles (Posed a Danger):
On Ingoing inspection, it was noted that there was cracked tile in the kitchen, lounge and main bedroom, clearly noted by yourself and signed for that there was cracks. No tiles were loose or noted that it poses a danger. Signing the ingoing inspection means that you are aware of this, clearly not noted in your post. Seeing that this is not a new property and the fact that there was cracked tiles and noted on the ingoing inspection, that is was acceptable.
Blocked Drain
Firstly, we are not liable to attend to blocked drains on the municipal side, the responsibility is that of the municipality. The main sewerage connection was blocked, the municipality was informed, reference number *** was issued on the 22nd of April. The problem was attended to by the municipality. After the municipality attended to block sewerage it happened again, we contacted the municipality on the 14th of May and reference number *** was issued. The sewerage problem was attended to by the municipality and not something that we could control or assist with as its the main connection from the municipality. Seeing that the problem was on the municipal side, we logged the problem twice and it was out of our hands. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A MUNICIPAL MATTER – Tenants are responsible to sort out plumbing problems with the municipality, we assisted in this matter even though it was not our responsibility.
Electricity
Due to an error on the Municipal system the meter to your unit was blocked, we immediately informed the municipality and they rectified the problem, the following morning the meter was unblocked.
The pricing for electricity is out of our hands and comes directly from the municipality, units works in a stepping scale. Tariffs can be viewed on the Municipal website, these tariffs is totally controlled by the municipality.
14 Days/Deposit
Due to the damages caused by yourself and signed by yourself on the outgoing inspection, we had a delay from the contractor regarding pricing, as soon as this was sorted, your deposit refund due was made. Please be advised that statement was emailed to you with detailed transactions.
Ingoing/Outgoing Inspections
When moving in to a property, an ingoing inspection is done, same as when moving out, an outgoing inspection.
This is available on file with pictures taken, anyone is welcome to come and have a look at file. All procedures regarding inspections and damages was done correctly.
I hope you find all in order.
For any further assistance regarding this matter, please feel free to contact me.
Kind Regards
Regarding your post:
Tiles (Posed a Danger):
On Ingoing inspection, it was noted that there was cracked tile in the kitchen, lounge and main bedroom, clearly noted by yourself and signed for that there was cracks. No tiles were loose or noted that it poses a danger. Signing the ingoing inspection means that you are aware of this, clearly not noted in your post. Seeing that this is not a new property and the fact that there was cracked tiles and noted on the ingoing inspection, that is was acceptable.
Blocked Drain
Firstly, we are not liable to attend to blocked drains on the municipal side, the responsibility is that of the municipality. The main sewerage connection was blocked, the municipality was informed, reference number *** was issued on the 22nd of April. The problem was attended to by the municipality. After the municipality attended to block sewerage it happened again, we contacted the municipality on the 14th of May and reference number *** was issued. The sewerage problem was attended to by the municipality and not something that we could control or assist with as its the main connection from the municipality. Seeing that the problem was on the municipal side, we logged the problem twice and it was out of our hands. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A MUNICIPAL MATTER – Tenants are responsible to sort out plumbing problems with the municipality, we assisted in this matter even though it was not our responsibility.
Electricity
Due to an error on the Municipal system the meter to your unit was blocked, we immediately informed the municipality and they rectified the problem, the following morning the meter was unblocked.
The pricing for electricity is out of our hands and comes directly from the municipality, units works in a stepping scale. Tariffs can be viewed on the Municipal website, these tariffs is totally controlled by the municipality.
14 Days/Deposit
Due to the damages caused by yourself and signed by yourself on the outgoing inspection, we had a delay from the contractor regarding pricing, as soon as this was sorted, your deposit refund due was made. Please be advised that statement was emailed to you with detailed transactions.
Ingoing/Outgoing Inspections
When moving in to a property, an ingoing inspection is done, same as when moving out, an outgoing inspection.
This is available on file with pictures taken, anyone is welcome to come and have a look at file. All procedures regarding inspections and damages was done correctly.
I hope you find all in order.
For any further assistance regarding this matter, please feel free to contact me.
Kind Regards
Please when you do your inspection report, ask for a copy so that they cannot mess you around. I have asked for 1 but still did not get it.
Please when you do your inspection report, ask for a copy so that they cannot mess you around. I have asked for 1 but still did not get it.