RealNet Moreleta - VERY bad service

My wife and I spent a lot of time looking for the perfect rental property. We were looking for a long-term lease, a bigger place that we could make a “home” with our kids for the foreseeable future. We opted to spend a lot more on rent, but it would be money well spent (Or so we thought). With a lot of excitement, we moved into our new Rental Property on the 16th of March 2018. Soon after moving in, our troubles with RealNet Moreleta, and in particular Hennie Steyn (Franchise Owner) started. RealNet Moreleta collects the rent, and manages the Utilities accounts and the state of the property. The past 4 months have been nothing but frustration, empty promises and absolutely no delivery. Hennie promised that everything listed on the Inspection list will be resolved by the second month. After a lot of empty promises, and “waiting for the contractor to come and see us”, I have even tried contacted the RealNet Franchise for a resolution, but was also left with empty promises by them. So, it looks like the prerequisites to own this franchise are: “All promise, and no delivery, but the monies are collected diligently” I sent them a letter on the 10th of July, giving them (Realnet Franchise and Realnet Moreleta) 7 days to action the items on the list or at least send me an action plan as to when these issues will be resolved. Guess who got an action plan? Well… NOT ME! So unlike RealNet Moreleta, I am a man of my word, and I am following through with my promise to them. Herewith a list of some of the issues I must/had to deal with: Contractor used to fix some issues before we moved in did a very poor job. Paint had to be re-done in some places. New toilet installed and the tank was loose and not against the wall. All BIC locks were locked and I had to replace it. Drains were clogged and I spent a lot of money in “Drain Cleaners” trying to unclog some of the drains, as we could not use any water in the kitchen while we “waited for Hennie”. Light fittings painted to the ceiling so replacement of globes impossible. Newly installed bathroom cabinets leaked and had no front cover. I promised the wife I would go buy wood and make this look at least presentable. The above is not only an issue for me, but the owner of the property paid for this bad work. No quality and management of the contractor from RealNet Moreleta. I had to put up a fight to get these fixed. THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE MY ISSUE We specifically asked for a gate on the outside of the property to be fixed before we moved in as we have pets and it could not close. This was promised, and I reminded Hennie daily about the issue. On the day we moved in, I had to go and arrange with the Body Corporate contact to get this fixed ASAP and used a piece of wood to keep the pets from going out. No Electricity Invoice for the past 4 months. (I live in fear as to when the Electricity would be cut) I was promised this Invoice month after month, and had to find out about 4 weeks ago that they are having issues as the Property was part of a deceased Estate. WHAT? And I only find this out after renting the property for 3 months? THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE MY ISSUE Water Account sent in most cases more than a month old. (Oh yes Property owners, you will carry the 30 days account yourselves) RealNet Moreleta is supposed to manage this, and if my water is cut because of YOUR negligence… THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE MY ISSUE Stove Hob still not replaced (Promised replacement in May). Al stove plates only have on or off switch – no regulation of temperature - so burnt food is part of our daily struggle. I now had to buy a gas two plate cooker to be able to serve normal cooked food. THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE MY ISSUE Various items in the house not working. These include Plugs, Lights, Ceiling Fans etc. THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE MY ISSUE The property was painted before we moved in, and I requested specifically the Paint Codes as the paints used are not standard colours. I have to touch up and maintain the paint on the walls, but after 2 attempts to try and match the colours I gave up. So, NO maintenance can be done. THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE MY ISSUE Leaking porch roof. THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE MY ISSUE Replaced a Security gate. (Yes, this one they did) BUT - Holes and patches of no paint at the front door is now how my guests are welcomed, because quality and making sure the contractor finishes the work correctly is apparently not part of the RealNet experience. THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE MY ISSUE Complex Body Corporate have a list of issues, including an ******* structure, trees and once again some very poor plaster work from previous contractor RealNet Moreleta used to try and fix water damage on the walls. My guests are once again greeted with grey patches of plaster spray, as RealNet and the Body Corporate fights over who is responsible. THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE MY ISSUE Various promises were made with regards to the garden, as the garden was in a very poor state. No grass, leaves and rubble everywhere. I am supposed to maintain the garden, not fix it up. I cannot leave the garden any longer, and now must pay a lot of money to get it looking like a garden. THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE MY ISSUE So, as you can see from the above, it is not in the interest of a Property Owner, or tenant to have RealNet Moreleta manage a property. Every time I contact them, I am left with empty promises and a “So sorry to hear” attitude… They have not demonstrated to have any experience in effective property management, issue management or basic people s****s. I cannot wait for my lease to expire, so I can get as far away from them as possible. It is a pity however, as we as a family really loves the property. If I can take RealNet out of this equation, our lives would be a lot better. We will be looking at buying a property when the lease expires, as Hennie have done his best to cure me of “Rental Property’ for some time to come. The next step for me (As I have promised them) is to lodge a complaint with the Gauteng Rental Housing Tribunal to try and resolve these issues. I will also keep on complaining until these issues are resolved, or we move out… Whichever comes first.