Would you want to trust your home with Just Property?

In April 2016, we left to the UK and so trusted Just Property Westville and Pinetown to let out our home. Our home was returned to us in a shocking state on 5 October 2020. I immediately contacted Just Property and made them aware of the missing items, damages and outstanding Metro bill in excess of R 20 000. They did take the time to come out and review / verify my claim. I had to foot the bill to prevent the disconnection of services and I have received no compensation for the damages / losses I’ve incurred. The current replacement value of these items is in excess of R 60 000.

Just Property’s latest stance: “As for the repair/maintenance claim of R80k, Alpha properties will be contesting these charges.”

Only in mid-December was the tenant’s deposit used to settle the Metro bill, after weeks of back and forth. I only received the Outgoing inspection report from Just Property on 13 October.

Just Property has refused to be held accountable for these losses. Furthermore, they allowed tenants to break down Built-in cupboards, add doors to my passage (without consent), break windows, water log laminated wood floors (almost brand new when handed over) through improper care, drill into tiles and damage tiles in my bathroom (that can’t be purchased anymore), not replace blown light bulbs, break shelves inside built-in cupboards, modify burglar bars (without consent), damage wooden flooring, use Prestik on Walls that have left oil stains, nail into walls and take fixtures with any accountability.

I also contacted Just Property’s Customer’s service on Facebook after being frustrated that everything was taking so long to reach resolution, but they’re pretty useless – they said they would contact Just Property Westville and Pinetown. I did get an email from them, and things went quiet…but it seems they don’t get involved or try to assist in any way.

Since handing my property over in 2016, we’ve had 3 tenants and Just Property’s current stance is that in 2018, the Alpha Properties (just a change in Dealer Principal) had taken over and the current state of my property was the same when the latest tenants (Tenant #3) took occupancy in 2019. Just Property did not send me the Ingoing inspection report that was conducted in 2019 until they had checked out in October 2020, so I could not hold the previous tenant (Tenant #2) accountable for the damages and missing items (Just Property if you’re reading this, please send me proof on this). They didn’t flag the damages either, which I would have claimed against the damage deposit from Tenant #2. Where Just Property have also failed me when my utilities were disconnected in December 2019 – they’re contractually responsible to ensure Metro bills are paid on time. The account fell into arrears – I still haven’t been compensated for the reconnection. Our contract states: “Section 12: SPECIAL CONDITIONS – ENSURE HALF YEARLY INSPECTION IS CONCULDED” – Never done! They cannot even account for some of the items on this list even though I’ve sent them timestamped photo’s and proof on the contract where specific items were listed. Missing Items:

1. 1 x Gas Bottle for Geyser 2. 1.7m tall Water Feature 3. Maxidoor Roller Shutter Door Locks (unique) 4. Stainless steel sink in Garage 5. BIC Shelf in Kitchen 6. Bespoke Stainless Steel Cutlery Trays 7. Dart Board (Deck) 8. Curtains in Bedrooms 9. Mirror in Bathroom 10. TV Bracket 11. Garden Tools including Hoses, Lawn mower and Trimmer

Damaged items: 1. TV Lounge floors – badly gouged and scratched and was initially for Tenant #3’s account but Just Property back tracked and said it may have been damaged by a previous tenant so I have no accountability here. 2. Badly gouged and scratched parquet wooden floors (apparently “Wear and Tear”) 3. Broken shelves in Master bedroom Cupboards 4. Safe 5. Bulb Cover (bespoke) – can no longer be bought, entire pair of fitting have to be replaced. 6. Window handles in Garage and Lounge broken and left as potential security risk. 7. Cracked window pane in Garage 8. Laminated wood floors waterlogged need replacement (near brand new when I handed over) – “Wear and Tear!” 9. Tiles in Bathroom with large holes

Would you want to trust your home with this business?