recent posts 

3 days ago
Topic: Tentant / Purchaser refusing to pay

Lara Claassen

Posts: 4

First of all, definitely you are liable for any kind of repairs of your house.

In this particular case you have made the deal earlier and before the deal your buyer didn't object about any issue like plumbing. So, after the deal you are not responsible for any repair and according to your post she is already signed the deal. That means the property goes to her that time. I think you need to consult a property lawyers. If you want you can contact http://www.claassenattorneys.co.za/the-firm.aspx
edited by claassenattorney on 2018/12/07

 

5 days ago
Topic: Lease Renewal on Rental

Michie95

Posts: 1

GM, Please share information on the following letter received from landlord :

Bear in mind that there are 16 units and from the 16 units only one unit recieved this letter , there has been a request to fix certain items in the apartment but nothing major that we know about . Two years ago we painted the entire place out of our pockets with our material and paint . he assisted with laborers Is this allowed? What happens if tenants dont find a place in this time?



We will be effecting major renovations of the flat you are now occupying. We will , therefore, not be
renewing your lease agreement for 2019.
You have the option of vacating the premises by 31 December 2018, but not later than the 31
January 2019.
edited by Michie95 on 2018/12/05

 

7 days ago
Topic: Tentant / Purchaser refusing to pay

TPNLegal

Administrator

Posts: 60

Hi gyme

It is correct that you could be liable for the repairs if they can be proven by the buyer.

However that does not automatically absolve them from paying occupational rental that has been agreed. You can blacklist provided that the requirements have been met.

 

10 days ago
Topic: RESCISSION???

Lara Claassen

Posts: 4

Yes, you are getting the right advice from the lawyer. As during the eviction process, you should not carry out any inspection on your property. But, as soon as the eviction process is over, be sure that your ex tenant owe the money to legal reps who belongs to him.

 

10 days ago
Topic: RESCISSION???

Guest

Yes, you are getting the right advice from the lawyer. As during the eviction process, you should not carry out any inspection on your property. But, as soon as the eviction process is over, be sure that your ex tenant owe the money to legal reps who belongs to him.

 

2018/11/03
Topic: RESCISSION???

share60

Posts: 5

My ex tenant who was evicted now disputes that he owes me any money his in debt for $90,000 rental plus excessive damage to the property eviction with costs was awarded to me
in court on section 65 he now wants to to submit a rescission he has admitted owing me the money to two of his legal reps which know longer represent him
He had the tpn lease
My attorney also advised me not to do rental inspections whilst they were waiting for the eviction process as the tenant could view this as provocation this took 8 months
Am I getting the right legal advice?

 

2018/10/26
Topic: Tentant / Purchaser refusing to pay

gyme

Posts: 2

Hello,

I sold my house in July. The purchaser took occupation on the 1st of August whilst we were awaiting transfer. The property transferred into the purchasers name on the 30th of August and she has refused to pay occupational rent even though she signed an addendum agreeing to it. She is claiming that there was plumbing issues in the house which she had to repair at her own cost which was more than the rent. I was never aware of these issues before I sold the house and the purchaser had enough opportunity to bring these issues up before she purchased the house but never did. I sent her a letter of demand at the beginning of September and would like to blacklist her. Am I in the right to blacklist her as she is claiming the rental tribunal agrees with her that I am responsible for the repairs ?

Thanks

 

2018/10/15
Topic: Tenant threatening squatter rights

Pereira03

Posts: 1

I had a couple move into my garden flat in April 2017. My first mistake was being too trustworthy to begin with. When they first came to view, they were very excited and really wanted the place and were really eager to sign the lease. The next day they brought the "deposit" and were ready to sign. I emphasized to them that that installment would be the deposit and that their rent would be due the day that they moved in. That was mistake number 1. I should not have let them sign a lease without the deposit and rental. The day they moved in, they put less than half the rental into my account and pleaded that I use their initial installment as rental and that smaller amount towards their deposit. They said that it has really been a difficult time with all the costs of moving into a new place. The trustworthy and lenient person I am fell immediately into this trap that a year and a half later has left me absolutely desperate. I am still waiting for a deposit and have been listening to excuse after excuse. A few months ago, I had to use what ever deposit that there was to pay for outstanding rent which they never replaced. This month they short paid once more. We started off in good terms but now we don't see eye to eye on anything. They are get drunk and shout obsenities, their dogs are destructive and causing such stress that I can barely sleep at night. Last week I sent them a letter of demand for their outstanding rent and deposit. Now I'm like a sitting duck for 20 days. They have threatened to become squatters on 2 occasions already. I am afraid that they will run my water bill up and not pay for next month's rent. Is it legal to install a water meter to recover costs for unpaid rental in the event that they do become squatters. Their lease says that water is included in their rental, but what if they don't pay rental. I do already have electricity meters.

 

2018/10/08
Topic: Automatic continuation of lease period

mmitche01

Posts: 1

Marc Lunau wrote:

I think one is obliged to tell the tenants 40-80 business days prior to expiry what the options are once lease expires. Not so?

If the initial period ends without any communication between the tenant or landlord, I understand that the new month to month basis will include the annual increase as stipulated in the TPN agreement. Could someone confirm this please?

 

2018/10/05
Topic: ants infestation

TPNLegal

Administrator

Posts: 60

Hi Debbie

Thank you for the question.

Regarding pest control, depending on your lease agreement, the landlord is responsible for providing a property free of pests at the inception of the lease and thereafter the tenant is responsible for the ongoing pest control. As a result of a failure to do so, the tenant can be held liable for those damages.

Regarding the aircon and the handles. Damage to property caused by a tenant is for the tenants account, fair wear and tear is for the landlords account. Based on this and without knowing the cause of the damage, it appears that the ordinary cause of screws falling out of a door handle would be fair and tear which is a landlord expense. An annual service of the aircon would also be for the landlords account.

 

2018/10/05
Topic: ants infestation

debbieb01

Posts: 22

Same topic. Tenant says they're not responsible for "routine" Blue Death ant prevention, and that the landlord must pay to have someone come and put down ant prevention. Now the intercom wiring got eaten up, and believes I cannot deduct this from the deposit. Secondly, the aircon required an annual service. As the owner I paid for replacement parts, but the "annual service" cost I attributed to the tenant. Lastly, although not yet disputed, (but I am expecting), a sliding door handle, door hinge and towel rail, screws fell out (and were lost), and owner had to pay for a handyman to screw new ones in. Who is responsible for such re-screwing of handles in etc? Tenant was in occupation for 1 year, in a 4 bedroom house.

 

2018/09/26
Topic: Basic charges

TPNLegal

Administrator

Posts: 60

Hi James

You have the right to request a copy of the municipal bill to verify the amounts that they are charging you.
depending your agreement, if you are liable for the charges then the amounts much be accurate.

 

2018/09/16
Topic: Basic charges

James W

Posts: 1

Hi Folks, some advice please
We recently moved into a flat on a person's property. On the property they have built 6 units, quite well done I would add.
The entire property is managed by agents, each flat has it's own meters which are read by the agents and we are billed on consumption.
I recently asked for a breakdown of the charges and found out we were being charged a basic electric charge of R350 as well as for refuse removal. They mentioned they are charging complex rates.
I happen to have a friend in the deeds dept and asked if it the property was registered as a complex or as a residential home, turns out itnis the latter
My question is this, is the agent permitted legally to charge these charges if the property is not registered as a complex? I have no problem paying my dues but i am under the impression they are taking the Mickey.
Many thanks for your time

 

2018/09/13
Topic: New Electricity Tariff

TPNLegal

Administrator

Posts: 60

Hi,
Your lease would in some way have to cover other municipal charges, or basic service charges.

If your lease agreement only covers consumption charges, then the landlord will be responsible for the charge.

 

2018/09/13
Topic: Girlfriend sleeps over every night

TPNLegal

Administrator

Posts: 60

Hi Carla

It is very difficult to stop people having visitors in a property as when you rent to someone, they are entitled to undisturbed use and enjoyment of the property, however in this case, with 4 people staying in a 1 bedroom unit, this will in all likelihood contravene municipal bylaws of maximum occupancy, so you will be able to place the tenant on terms should you wish.

 

2018/08/27
Topic: Girlfriend sleeps over every night

carla.beneke@gmail.com

Posts: 1

My contract states that visitors can stay over occasionally, but my tenant's girlfriend and her 2 children sleeps over every night. It is only a one bedroom garden flat for a single person. I only agreed to his son out of a previous marriage to stay over every second weekend. When I confronted him about the girlfriend, he said that she and her children do not shower here. I gave him time to rectify the situation and now he became rude and is blaming me for problems in his relationship. What should I do?

 

2018/07/30
Topic: New Electricity Tariff

lc1989

Posts: 2

Hi,
Thank you for your response.
What if a TPN lease was not used?
How do you determine who is responsible for this fee?
Thank you.

 

2018/07/30
Topic: Credit Check

TPNLegal

Administrator

Posts: 60

Hi pventer02

please contact helpdesk@tpn.co.za and we will sort this out for you

 

2018/07/30
Topic: New Electricity Tariff

TPNLegal

Administrator

Posts: 60

Hi Ic1989

If you are using the TPN lease then you will be able to pass this charge on to the tenant as our lease covers "basic service charges"

 

2018/07/30
Topic: Need guidance on CPA

TPNLegal

Administrator

Posts: 60

Hi Elle0213

The agent could potentially charge advertising costs, however they would have to be able to account for those costs as actual expenses incurred. They cannot profit from your right to cancel.