Engel & Volkers Waterkloof - No Integrity

Be very cautious when having dealings with the Engel & Volkers in Waterkloof, Pretoria. Rented a unit from them and wanted to vacate 1 month earlier than the leased period of a year. I gave 2 months notice thinking they would be able to find a replacement tenant no problem. The place is infested with termites and according to the law if you have brought it to the landlords attention and they fail to do anything about the termites you are legally within your rights to give 21 days notice and they may not withhold your deposit or charge you rental. All evidence of communication with regards to the termites and requests to have an exterminator come out was given through to Engel & Volkers and instead of doing the right thing they turned around and said they are not managing the property they have given the information through to the landlord. Nevermind they exploited the fact that there was still 3 months to go. The first month, no effort was made. At the end of the first month when questioned they said they were waiting for the final instructions from the landlord and they had just received it now they were going to start advertising. They went into the market with an unrealistic rental, much more than units double the size in the same area. I am sure and agent is employed for the professionalism and expertise with the property market and are at liberty to do a CMA and advise their clients accordingly. Scaring any possible future tenants away it was communicated twice with the agent that the unit is overpriced compared to the other units in the area and in fact in the same complex - but the reply was the landlord wants that price. In my opinion that is not honest to out price a place in the hope someone bites and when they don't, not to worry we will just hold the current tenant liable. Needless to say the second month went past and no replacement tenant and they have now dropped the rental twice since. Had they have just started at the market rental a tenant would have easily been found. But the fact remains that they did not care to or want to. I moved out at the end of the 2 months notice and 1 month earlier than the lease lapse and didn't pay the rental because I was given legal advice that I would not be required to do so because of the termites etc. They found no problems with the property on moving out so now they are using the excuse that they are keeping the deposit to cover the rental for the month. Firstly this is ******* because I followed the correct procedures and secondly had they have put a little more effort into finding a tenant and not exploiting the situation with a ridiculous rental, 2 months would have been more than enough time to find a tenant. Not that I am liable for the last months rental but I prefer to do things honestly and in the right manor with integrity, which they are clearly lacking.... It's sad these are the experts that we trust to offer a service for something we unfortunately can't go without. I will be taking this further, legally and publically and I strongly advise against anyone ever using Engel & Volkers Waterkloof services to either rent a property or rent your property out!