DO NOT RENT A PROPERTY THROUGH JAWITZ PROPERTY!

We rented a property managed by Jawitz Property for 6 YEARS, and after moving out, the nightmare of trying to get our deposit back started.

The owner informed Jawitz that NO maintenance or repairs were required after we vacated the property. Despite this, Jawitz arranged for someone to inspect the property and then presented us with a quotation of approximately R9,000 for a list of ridiculous items — including things that were not our responsibility as tenants to repair or maintain.

But here is where this becomes completely unacceptable:

👉 The OWNER specifically informed Jawitz that they did NOT give permission for the quoted work to be carried out.

👉 The work was NOT carried out.

👉 Yet Jawitz still DEDUCTED THE ENTIRE R9,000 FROM OUR DEPOSIT.

Read that again.

R9,000 was deducted from our deposit for work that was never even done.

How can anyone justify taking money from a tenant's deposit for repairs that were not authorised and were never carried out?

Fortunately, I am in direct contact with both the property owner and the current tenant, and both are willing to provide affidavits confirming what happened.

After 6 years of renting the property and leaving it, this is absolutely unacceptable. We should not have to fight this hard to get money that is rightfully ours — especially when the amount being deducted relates to work that was never completed.

I have now decided to take this matter further through the appropriate channels, including SAPS and the Rental Housing Tribunal, and will be providing all the supporting documentation available to me.

Think very carefully before renting a property managed by Jawitz Property.