MS
Mereese S
1 reviews | Active since Dec 2018
16 Aug 2021, 15:32
Exit inspection & Deposit
After completing an exit inspection with the agent - and the agent confirming that the property is in good standing according to how we received it, the landlord wants to charge me for a door lock which was faulty at R870 (which by the way only costs R85 to fix) as well as to paint a room which previously had marks on it.
After reviewing both the Official Entry and Exit Inspection documents, these items were not mentioned or noted by the Agent as requiring any replacement or repair from us as tenants.
We then also spoken to the Agent and she confirmed that these items were given and returned as is by us as the tenants which is thus reflected on the official exit document,The Agent marked the domestic room Item as - "Maintenance Required" this does not imply that it was the tenants responsibility to correct as this is a wear and tear item that she is noting for the owner to consider else the agent would have mentioned that it requires the tenant to replace which we wouldnt dispute but that is not the case as per the document and communication on the Exit Inspection. I therefore requested that the official documents please be re-reviewed by relevant department responsible and confirm with proof where these items were noted in the signed documents
It has been three weeks now and still no word on a way forward nor the refund of deposit
Helpful (0)
Replies (3)0
Replies (3)
Etchells & Young Property Brokers's replyOfficial
16 Aug 2021, 16:43Hello Mereese - we understand that that you have been in touch with the relevant department at EY and they have referred your query to the landlord and await his reply. They gave you an update this morning and as such we cannot understand how, especially as an ex- Etchells & Young agent yourself, you rush into writing a 1-star review on Hellopeter rather than trying to resolve this via the appropriate channels. You mention in your review that "the landlord wants to charge you for a door lock" yet your 1-star rating is against Etchells & Young.
As a trained estate agent yourself you are fully aware of the stipulations of the Rental Housing Act and you can rest assured that Etchells & Young will will not allow your deposit to be used for anything that is not your responsibility under the lease agreement and Rental Housing Act.
One of the most common issues that we come across with deposit refunds is tenants not understanding that they are obliged to make all repairs (that they are liable for) and do all cleaning by the time the lease ends and hand the property back in the same good condition that they received it in. If not, the landlord is fully within his rights to use the tenant deposit to make the repairs, do any cleaning, change locks, or whatever else has been identified during the exit inspection.
Please allow us to get a reply from the landlord and we will also investigate the matter and review all the relevant document and get back to you.
Thank you.
As a trained estate agent yourself you are fully aware of the stipulations of the Rental Housing Act and you can rest assured that Etchells & Young will will not allow your deposit to be used for anything that is not your responsibility under the lease agreement and Rental Housing Act.
One of the most common issues that we come across with deposit refunds is tenants not understanding that they are obliged to make all repairs (that they are liable for) and do all cleaning by the time the lease ends and hand the property back in the same good condition that they received it in. If not, the landlord is fully within his rights to use the tenant deposit to make the repairs, do any cleaning, change locks, or whatever else has been identified during the exit inspection.
Please allow us to get a reply from the landlord and we will also investigate the matter and review all the relevant document and get back to you.
Thank you.
Etchells & Young Property Brokers's reply16 Aug 2021, 16:43
Official
Hello Mereese - we understand that that you have been in touch with the relevant department at EY and they have referred your query to the landlord and await his reply. They gave you an update this morning and as such we cannot understand how, especially as an ex- Etchells & Young agent yourself, you rush into writing a 1-star review on Hellopeter rather than trying to resolve this via the appropriate channels. You mention in your review that "the landlord wants to charge you for a door lock" yet your 1-star rating is against Etchells & Young.
As a trained estate agent yourself you are fully aware of the stipulations of the Rental Housing Act and you can rest assured that Etchells & Young will will not allow your deposit to be used for anything that is not your responsibility under the lease agreement and Rental Housing Act.
One of the most common issues that we come across with deposit refunds is tenants not understanding that they are obliged to make all repairs (that they are liable for) and do all cleaning by the time the lease ends and hand the property back in the same good condition that they received it in. If not, the landlord is fully within his rights to use the tenant deposit to make the repairs, do any cleaning, change locks, or whatever else has been identified during the exit inspection.
Please allow us to get a reply from the landlord and we will also investigate the matter and review all the relevant document and get back to you.
Thank you.
As a trained estate agent yourself you are fully aware of the stipulations of the Rental Housing Act and you can rest assured that Etchells & Young will will not allow your deposit to be used for anything that is not your responsibility under the lease agreement and Rental Housing Act.
One of the most common issues that we come across with deposit refunds is tenants not understanding that they are obliged to make all repairs (that they are liable for) and do all cleaning by the time the lease ends and hand the property back in the same good condition that they received it in. If not, the landlord is fully within his rights to use the tenant deposit to make the repairs, do any cleaning, change locks, or whatever else has been identified during the exit inspection.
Please allow us to get a reply from the landlord and we will also investigate the matter and review all the relevant document and get back to you.
Thank you.
MS
My review for Etchells is with regards to the lack of communication. The only reason that we had feedback was because we had to call ourselves after sending emails to which no response was provided. Had I not called, I would be none the wiser. An email stating that the Landlord has requested this repair but that this is being looked into would have sufficed.
As a tenant and a trained agent as you stated, I have no issue with the concept of repairing what was damaged and cleaning - this is probably why we went above and beyond to have things in an acceptable state. But being charged for a lock that was noted as faulty at entry inspection? That faultiness is also due to wear and tear which your policy says that the tenant won’t be charged for wear and tear but here we are, waiting for the Landlord to decide? Surely you can see why the irritation?I would also add that i am not writing this in capacity of an ex employee.Lastly, I understand that the landlord is your client but so is the tenant - so how do you protect the tenant when the Landlord is making an unreasonable request ? What is the time limit on this? If the landlord never responds or takes months - does that mean we must still want to receive our deposit back?!
Mereese S's updateReviewer Update
16 Aug 2021, 18:58My review for Etchells is with regards to the lack of communication. The only reason that we had feedback was because we had to call ourselves after sending emails to which no response was provided. Had I not called, I would be none the wiser. An email stating that the Landlord has requested this repair but that this is being looked into would have sufficed.
As a tenant and a trained agent as you stated, I have no issue with the concept of repairing what was damaged and cleaning - this is probably why we went above and beyond to have things in an acceptable state. But being charged for a lock that was noted as faulty at entry inspection? That faultiness is also due to wear and tear which your policy says that the tenant won’t be charged for wear and tear but here we are, waiting for the Landlord to decide? Surely you can see why the irritation?I would also add that i am not writing this in capacity of an ex employee.Lastly, I understand that the landlord is your client but so is the tenant - so how do you protect the tenant when the Landlord is making an unreasonable request ? What is the time limit on this? If the landlord never responds or takes months - does that mean we must still want to receive our deposit back?!
MS
Mereese S's update16 Aug 2021, 18:58
Reviewer Update
My review for Etchells is with regards to the lack of communication. The only reason that we had feedback was because we had to call ourselves after sending emails to which no response was provided. Had I not called, I would be none the wiser. An email stating that the Landlord has requested this repair but that this is being looked into would have sufficed.
As a tenant and a trained agent as you stated, I have no issue with the concept of repairing what was damaged and cleaning - this is probably why we went above and beyond to have things in an acceptable state. But being charged for a lock that was noted as faulty at entry inspection? That faultiness is also due to wear and tear which your policy says that the tenant won’t be charged for wear and tear but here we are, waiting for the Landlord to decide? Surely you can see why the irritation?I would also add that i am not writing this in capacity of an ex employee.Lastly, I understand that the landlord is your client but so is the tenant - so how do you protect the tenant when the Landlord is making an unreasonable request ? What is the time limit on this? If the landlord never responds or takes months - does that mean we must still want to receive our deposit back?!
Etchells & Young Property Brokers's replyOfficial
18 Aug 2021, 17:12Hello Mereese - as promised we have looked into this and reviewed the relevant facts and documents.
The tenant was held liable for the replacement of a lock in the Domestic / Storage room @ R690 (not R870 as you have claimed) and the repainting of the door and frame in the bedroom @ R490.
A new lock was fitted in the Domestic / Storage room before you moved in and the Rental Housing Act stipulates that the tenant is "liable to maintain replace or repair (amongst others) locks and handles". The entry inspection shows that the door/frame/lock/handle was "clean, undamaged and working". The exit inspection shows that the lock was stuck, i.e. damaged. The lease agreement and Rental Housing Act make this item a tenant liability item.
The door frame was clearly damaged by what appears to be furniture during your move out, photographs taken clearly show this. The lease agreement and Rental Housing Act make this item a tenant liability item.
You say your review was due to a lack of communication, yet we sent emails to "Lance Makue" and "A Williams" (noted on our system as the tenants) on Monday 2 August at 11h00, confirming receipt of the exit inspection document, explaining some legalities and also explaining the next steps in the process. The quote was received from the contractor on Friday 6th and the info send to the Landlord (who resides overseas) on Tuesday 10th (Monday 9th was a public holiday). On Friday the 13th Cherylean from our Maintenance Dept rep**** to Lance stating: "I have been in discussion with the owner to finalize the appropriation. This will be done today and sent to finance on Monday" He was also advised of the two items and the amounts that the landlord intended to hold you liable for. Per your statement above, that seems to be exactly what you would have expected. We agree with you and this does most certainly not seem like a lack of communication, in fact it is comprehensive under the circumstances and most people will recognise this level of detail and pro-activity as excellent service.
Then in your original review, you claim it has been three weeks, yet Monday 2 Aug to Monday 16 Aug is only 2 weeks and we have shown that during this time we did provide details of the way forward on the deposit refund. Why are you inflating the amount that the tenant is being held liable for and the time-frame that has lapsed? Curios...
The landlord has confirmed that he is not willing to carry the cost of these damages as the tenant is clearly liable. As such we shall proceed with the deposit appropriation accordingly. Our office will forward all relevant documents and info in this regard to you and the tenant. We will communicate directly from here onwards and not on Hellopeter.
We are sorry that you are not happy with the situation, but are fully confident that both Etchells & Young and the landlord have acted correctly and in accordance with the law.
Wishing you well in your new home.
The tenant was held liable for the replacement of a lock in the Domestic / Storage room @ R690 (not R870 as you have claimed) and the repainting of the door and frame in the bedroom @ R490.
A new lock was fitted in the Domestic / Storage room before you moved in and the Rental Housing Act stipulates that the tenant is "liable to maintain replace or repair (amongst others) locks and handles". The entry inspection shows that the door/frame/lock/handle was "clean, undamaged and working". The exit inspection shows that the lock was stuck, i.e. damaged. The lease agreement and Rental Housing Act make this item a tenant liability item.
The door frame was clearly damaged by what appears to be furniture during your move out, photographs taken clearly show this. The lease agreement and Rental Housing Act make this item a tenant liability item.
You say your review was due to a lack of communication, yet we sent emails to "Lance Makue" and "A Williams" (noted on our system as the tenants) on Monday 2 August at 11h00, confirming receipt of the exit inspection document, explaining some legalities and also explaining the next steps in the process. The quote was received from the contractor on Friday 6th and the info send to the Landlord (who resides overseas) on Tuesday 10th (Monday 9th was a public holiday). On Friday the 13th Cherylean from our Maintenance Dept rep**** to Lance stating: "I have been in discussion with the owner to finalize the appropriation. This will be done today and sent to finance on Monday" He was also advised of the two items and the amounts that the landlord intended to hold you liable for. Per your statement above, that seems to be exactly what you would have expected. We agree with you and this does most certainly not seem like a lack of communication, in fact it is comprehensive under the circumstances and most people will recognise this level of detail and pro-activity as excellent service.
Then in your original review, you claim it has been three weeks, yet Monday 2 Aug to Monday 16 Aug is only 2 weeks and we have shown that during this time we did provide details of the way forward on the deposit refund. Why are you inflating the amount that the tenant is being held liable for and the time-frame that has lapsed? Curios...
The landlord has confirmed that he is not willing to carry the cost of these damages as the tenant is clearly liable. As such we shall proceed with the deposit appropriation accordingly. Our office will forward all relevant documents and info in this regard to you and the tenant. We will communicate directly from here onwards and not on Hellopeter.
We are sorry that you are not happy with the situation, but are fully confident that both Etchells & Young and the landlord have acted correctly and in accordance with the law.
Wishing you well in your new home.
Etchells & Young Property Brokers's reply18 Aug 2021, 17:12
Official
Hello Mereese - as promised we have looked into this and reviewed the relevant facts and documents.
The tenant was held liable for the replacement of a lock in the Domestic / Storage room @ R690 (not R870 as you have claimed) and the repainting of the door and frame in the bedroom @ R490.
A new lock was fitted in the Domestic / Storage room before you moved in and the Rental Housing Act stipulates that the tenant is "liable to maintain replace or repair (amongst others) locks and handles". The entry inspection shows that the door/frame/lock/handle was "clean, undamaged and working". The exit inspection shows that the lock was stuck, i.e. damaged. The lease agreement and Rental Housing Act make this item a tenant liability item.
The door frame was clearly damaged by what appears to be furniture during your move out, photographs taken clearly show this. The lease agreement and Rental Housing Act make this item a tenant liability item.
You say your review was due to a lack of communication, yet we sent emails to "Lance Makue" and "A Williams" (noted on our system as the tenants) on Monday 2 August at 11h00, confirming receipt of the exit inspection document, explaining some legalities and also explaining the next steps in the process. The quote was received from the contractor on Friday 6th and the info send to the Landlord (who resides overseas) on Tuesday 10th (Monday 9th was a public holiday). On Friday the 13th Cherylean from our Maintenance Dept rep**** to Lance stating: "I have been in discussion with the owner to finalize the appropriation. This will be done today and sent to finance on Monday" He was also advised of the two items and the amounts that the landlord intended to hold you liable for. Per your statement above, that seems to be exactly what you would have expected. We agree with you and this does most certainly not seem like a lack of communication, in fact it is comprehensive under the circumstances and most people will recognise this level of detail and pro-activity as excellent service.
Then in your original review, you claim it has been three weeks, yet Monday 2 Aug to Monday 16 Aug is only 2 weeks and we have shown that during this time we did provide details of the way forward on the deposit refund. Why are you inflating the amount that the tenant is being held liable for and the time-frame that has lapsed? Curios...
The landlord has confirmed that he is not willing to carry the cost of these damages as the tenant is clearly liable. As such we shall proceed with the deposit appropriation accordingly. Our office will forward all relevant documents and info in this regard to you and the tenant. We will communicate directly from here onwards and not on Hellopeter.
We are sorry that you are not happy with the situation, but are fully confident that both Etchells & Young and the landlord have acted correctly and in accordance with the law.
Wishing you well in your new home.
The tenant was held liable for the replacement of a lock in the Domestic / Storage room @ R690 (not R870 as you have claimed) and the repainting of the door and frame in the bedroom @ R490.
A new lock was fitted in the Domestic / Storage room before you moved in and the Rental Housing Act stipulates that the tenant is "liable to maintain replace or repair (amongst others) locks and handles". The entry inspection shows that the door/frame/lock/handle was "clean, undamaged and working". The exit inspection shows that the lock was stuck, i.e. damaged. The lease agreement and Rental Housing Act make this item a tenant liability item.
The door frame was clearly damaged by what appears to be furniture during your move out, photographs taken clearly show this. The lease agreement and Rental Housing Act make this item a tenant liability item.
You say your review was due to a lack of communication, yet we sent emails to "Lance Makue" and "A Williams" (noted on our system as the tenants) on Monday 2 August at 11h00, confirming receipt of the exit inspection document, explaining some legalities and also explaining the next steps in the process. The quote was received from the contractor on Friday 6th and the info send to the Landlord (who resides overseas) on Tuesday 10th (Monday 9th was a public holiday). On Friday the 13th Cherylean from our Maintenance Dept rep**** to Lance stating: "I have been in discussion with the owner to finalize the appropriation. This will be done today and sent to finance on Monday" He was also advised of the two items and the amounts that the landlord intended to hold you liable for. Per your statement above, that seems to be exactly what you would have expected. We agree with you and this does most certainly not seem like a lack of communication, in fact it is comprehensive under the circumstances and most people will recognise this level of detail and pro-activity as excellent service.
Then in your original review, you claim it has been three weeks, yet Monday 2 Aug to Monday 16 Aug is only 2 weeks and we have shown that during this time we did provide details of the way forward on the deposit refund. Why are you inflating the amount that the tenant is being held liable for and the time-frame that has lapsed? Curios...
The landlord has confirmed that he is not willing to carry the cost of these damages as the tenant is clearly liable. As such we shall proceed with the deposit appropriation accordingly. Our office will forward all relevant documents and info in this regard to you and the tenant. We will communicate directly from here onwards and not on Hellopeter.
We are sorry that you are not happy with the situation, but are fully confident that both Etchells & Young and the landlord have acted correctly and in accordance with the law.
Wishing you well in your new home.