Hi 1. I am tenant who has signed a 12 mo...

Asked by the Customer on 05-05-2014 14:15:31
Question posted in the Landlord Tenant Law category relating to Gauteng

Hi

1. I am tenant who has signed a 12 months contract to rent an appartment. I submitted a two months notice letter and then I was told that I am liable to pay R3 000 cancellation fee, forfeit my deposit and required to get a replacement or someone to occupy the apartment for the remaining months I was supposed to live there.

Is this fair? I was not told about a cancellation fee when I moved in.

My lease is supposed to end 31 January 2015, but I wanted to move out earlier.

2. I decided that my partner moves in with me but I was told that he also has to pay a deposit and yet I would not be reimbursed a portion of my deposit which is already paid for my accomodation. Why is my partner liable to pay a deposit when it was already paid . It's just a bachelor after all.

Any advice on the above questions? Should I perhaps start paying for legal fees to have a lawyer assist with this matter? I feel like these agents are taking advantage of me.

If lost my deposit that is fine, but why should I pay R3000 and look for a replacement (ortherwis I have to pay for the remaining months)? That is not my job!!!

My bachelor is currently R3 800 excluding water and electricity. If my partner moved in with me, then we would be expected to pay R2 200 each which is reasonable but I do not understand why he has to pay R 2 200 again for deposit for our bachelor. It is stil the same size after all.

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