No refund from this company behaving against the law

<p>Hello.</p> <p>I was born in Jhb and immigrated to the USA 39 years ago. I decided to retire to Cape Town, and moved here 6 weeks ago.</p> <p>I had PREPAID for the apartment FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR PLUS THE DEPOSIT PLUS $500/MONTH FOR ELECTRICITY - all in good faith, sight unseen. </p> <p>I found that the apt had been misrepresented to me, and had to leave after 2 weeks, as my poor outside cat had nowhere to go "as advertized", and became very sick, not eating, just sleeping all day. I had to take him to a vet who had to treat him and syringe-feed him. After I left this apt and found a guest house with a garden, he recovered.</p> <p>The Soukops owe my MY MONEY which they are holding in an INTEREST-EARNING account. They were directed to return the 9 months' rent + electricity to me weeks ago, but have found every excuse possible to not comply.</p> <p>Then they had me do the walk through and key sign-over, with the 'promise' that I would get paid right after that. Instead, they **** to my (now) lawyer that there was the smell of cat urine in the apt., (I have had several witnesses in there who said that it was not the case at all), they once had a viewing and left water gushing out of one of the taps in the bathroom, they misinformed a possible tenant that the monthly rent was R16000 instead of R13,250. They have **** that I refused to return the keys - fortunately I had a witness there with me. </p> <p>They have since said that there are no damages, but I still do not have my FULL DEPOSIT and the 9 months' unused money . They are supposed to give me a partial refund when they find a tenant.</p> <p>This is a desired apartment complex in Fresnaye. It is pet-friendly and has a pool. Some of the apts, including the one I was in, have a private courtyard outside. They should have no trouble renting it out.</p> <p>Meanwhile, I have not seen any of my money. My lawyer is about to issue a summons. I had a hostile phone call from the one Soukop owner cursing at me for sending a lawyer's letter. She then hung up the phone on me.</p> <p> </p>