Negligence and Mismanagement of tenant for Rental Property at MATUMI SANDS COMPLEX in Lonehill (Gauteng) - JUST PROPERTIES FOURWAYS

Good day to whom it may concern,

I would like to report a gross negligence on Just Properties Fourways for the manner in which my rental property was handled. My name is Sivan Dhaver and I had a rental lease with Just Properties for my flat located within the Matumi Sands Complex (unit 124) in Lonehill Fourways, Gauteng.

After initially renewing the lease I had decided to cancel the lease with the tenant whom I had already had issues with. The agent communicated with the tenant my intension to cancel and the tenant agreed, and the date at which he was to vacate was the end of May 2020. This occurred on March 23rd 2020. So he had just over two months to find alternate accommodation.

During the period 23rd March 2020 to 31st May 2020 the tenant had defaulted on his rent that was owed and his lease was in fact legally cancelled (see attached lease cancellation notice). He also owes me in excess of R 30 000 in outstanding rent.

I always follow up as I understand tenants can be opportunistic and squat, so I emailed agents at Just Property to verify that he is set to move 31st May 2020. I alsways had confirmation From the agents that the tenant has agreed to vacate my premises end of May. Even during Covid 19 level 4 the agent confirmed that, amendments were gazetted and the agent will still move. So based on this confirmation from the tenants I was at peace and I proceeded to arrange to arrange for a tenant to move in (Please find attached movement control form signed off my agent confirming tenant will be moving and his access cancelled on the set agreed date).

However on the 24th after I made contact to the Just Property agent to confirm that everything was in order for the end of the month I am suddenly told of the change of plans and that the tenant doesn’t want to move. I hold the agents accountable as they were not forthright in communicating with me.

Please see email correspondence from agents attached with a summary of what was communicated below: • First email Zazah confirms that the tenant agrees to move out before 31st May (This was before the lockdown). • Second email was from Steve where he explains the moving under lockdown cannot be possible. • Third email was from Steve explaining the amended regulations gazetted on 7 May and that he will get the necessary permit Required so that he moves. Zazah was tasked with this. • Fourth email from Zazah saying the tenant has agreed to move out end of month. • Another email sent in April 14th by Zazah still confirming he has agreed to move.

The principal agent is Nicci Roussos and the agents who I was dealing with are within the email and include: • Nicci Roussos ***) • Zazah Hlubi ***) • Steve Nel ***) • Norman ***) I am deeply disappointed and infuriated by the way this was handled and also the principle agent Nicci Roussos attitude. Her agents incompetence is her problem not mine. This was negligence on Just Properties Fourways part but yet she defended the tenant and Just Properties actions. I have also lost income during this pandemic and I need the money to survive. The tenant had ample time to make alternative arrangements and I cannot support him whilst he goes through this.

The simple fact is that I made arrangements for renting my property based on what was communicated to me by the Just Properties who was managing my flat. Since I was never in direct communication with the tenant at the time, I had no idea if in fact the tenant had agreed to move or not. Therefore I took the agencies communication as a cer*****y.

Furthermore I was not willing to provide any additional leeway as I had already made my own arrangements. Currently the tenant is in my flat and he refuses to move and my new tenant had to make his own arrangements . I need the money from my rental to survive. Just Properties seem content on shifting blame between myself and the tenant however I believe that they should be paying for loss of income to me immediately.

I would appreciate it if this matter is resolved urgently.

Kind regards Sivan