Landlord & Agent from Hell

22nd January 2018 To Whom It May Concern:

On the 18/01/2017, I had signed the lease agreement with Re-Max Sellect in Phoenix, for a rental property (46 Challen Avenue, Northcroft, Phoenix). My rental was R4500+ electricity and water. On the 24/01/2017 I had paid the deposit, 1st month rental and a signing/inspection fee of R10300.00, to Re-Max Sellect. The inspection of the property prior to occupation was done on the 28/01/2017, by Re-Max Sellect agent Hazel Heralall (Rental Agent) and myself. I occupied the property from the 03/02/2017. On the day that I moved into the property, Mrs B Hiralal (Lessor), refused for me to bring the trailer I used for the move into the yard, according to her it would damage the tar surface. My furniture had to be carried onto the property by hand. On the 06/02/2017 and 17/02/2017 respectively, I sent an e-mail to the agent from Re-Max Sellect Hazel Heralall, regarding a few more of the defects that I had found on the property. Received a response on the 17/02/2017, from the agent telling me that she will bring it to the owners’ attention, however nothing had come of it. On the 05/07/2017 I had to have the stove repaired at my cost of R600.00, as the owner refused to have it repaired. Since my occupation I was constantly harassed by the owner and the agent regarding my vehicle dripping oil on the driveway. I did explain that due to me using my vehicle and trailer for the move my vehicle was mechanically damaged and started dripping oil from the engine (According to my mechanic due to the age of the vehicle and mileage, towing of a fully laden trailer caused un-due stress on the vehicle engine causing a gasket to start leaking). In order to prevent any further harassment I had my parking bay and driveway cleaned every weekend, using a pressure cleaner and some de-greaser. For added safety I purchased a 200lt geyser tray, to use as a drip tray. This did not seem to be enough as the Re-Max Sellect agent contacted me via e-mail on the 13/03/2017, I was asked to park my vehicle outside the property, so as to not cause further damage to the driveway. On the 23/03/2017, I had received an e-mail from Hazel Heralall asking me to vacate the property at the end of March 2017, which was only 1 week notice. I contacted my attorney telephonically and he advised me to ignore the notice to vacate, as it was ********. The very same afternoon Re-Max Sellect agent Hazel Heralall, came to the property asking for the remote access, until such time the vehicle is repaired. I then contacted my attorney for assistance. He sent a letter to the Re-Max agent, and that issue was then forgotten. I still continued to have the parking bay and driveway cleaned every weekend. I had also promised that upon me leaving the property I would have the area re-surfaced. I sent Re-Max agent Hazel an e-mail on the 29/11/2017, a one calendar month notice that I will be vacating the premises, which she accepted, however on the 27th December 2017 my account was debited for the full rental of R4500.00, for the month of January 2018. Upon enquiring with Hazel at the time she mentioned the accounts department did this in error and the monies would be refunded on the 08/01/2018, when the accounts department re-open. On the 31/12/2017 the day of the final inspection with Hazel Heralall from Re-Max Sellect, I had the entire driveway and parking bay re-surfaced at my cost. According to her inspection everything was in satisfactory condition. I was informed by Hazel Heralall that my full deposit will be refunded to me together with the January rental. Furthermore the Lessor claimed that the water bill for November was outstanding, which she knows very well was paid. However due to the stresses of packing and moving I have somehow mislaid the said receipt, just to be free from this I asked that the water bill for November & December 2017 be deducted from the deposit and the balance returned. I contacted Hazel telephonically on the 09/01/2018, and she informed me that she was not aware that my lease agreement only expired at the end of January 2018 and her client was not willing to experience any financial loss, so the rental that was debited on the 27th December 2017 is not returnable and the deposit is forfeited due to the breach of contract, that being me moving out before the lease expired. I have all e-mail correspondences to confirm the above together with pictures of the re-surfaced driveway.