Unwilling to repay back deposit

As of last year myself and 3 friends rented out a property in Ranalagh road Rondebosch. When prompted to pay rent, if the tenants were one day late, we were charged a penalty fee of R500.00. <br> <br> While processing our deposit at the end of the contract, the landlord had found some damages to a granite kitchen counter. After professionals had a look at the granite, a conclusion that the granite had cracked due to wear and tear. Following the professional advice the agent and owner withheld a fraction of our deposit as the owner states that she would not contribute towards this matter as she felt it was the tenants fault, thus completely neglecting the professional advice. <br> <br> Secondly, the owner replaced the wooden floors of the house. Upon moving out some of the wooden floors were scratched. The owner and agent quoted a large fee (R3000.00) to sand and varnish these scratches which is completely unacceptable. <br> <br> The deposits owing back to the previous tenants were meant to be processed at the end of January. It is now April and we still have not resolved this matter. It is completely unacceptable that the owner wants the tenants to contribute towards general wear and tear.