WARNING: MY DOCUMENTED EXPERIENCE WITH KERRY HART OF UNIVEST PROPERTIES

I paid Kerry Hart R20,566.67 in connection with renting a property managed or owned by Fourways Props. The money was supposed to be paid over to the landlord. That did not happen.

Within approximately five hours of making the payment, action was taken to freeze the receiving account. According to the bank documentation in my possession, only R5,100.00 remained available for recovery. This means that R15,466.67 of my money was no longer available by the time the account was frozen.

I opened a ***** matter with Nedbank. The ***** reference is ***, and I completed a commissioned affidavit concerning the payment. These are documented facts, not rumours or second-hand information.

Kerry controlled the practical access needed to view the apartment. She arranged access at the gate and made sure that I received the key. I returned for a second visit because I wanted to bring my dogs to see the property. Everything about her access and involvement gave the appearance that she was authorised to act in relation to the apartment. After I had already paid her, I encountered Ian Lowe of Fourways Props at the property. Ian then told me that I must not pay any money to Kerry. That warning came too late because I had already transferred R20,566.67 to her.

Kerry also told me numerous distressing personal stories involving deaths in her family and ***ual assault. I have correspondence in which she referred to "softening up Ian" and presented Ian as being like a father to her. Based on my documented financial experience, I would strongly caution anyone against allowing personal hardship stories to influence a financial decision. Verify every claim directly with the landlord, insist on written confirmation of the agent's authority, confirm the correct bank account independently, and do not pay Kerry Hart.

My bank records show what happened to my payment. Of the R20,566.67 I transferred, only R5,100.00 could be recovered after the account was frozen. I remain out of pocket by R15,466.67.

My advice is simple: steer clear of Kerry Hart and Univest Properties. Do not transfer money based only on access to a property, possession of keys, gate arrangements, verbal assurances, or emotional stories. Verify everything independently before paying.