hi

In Short, i rented a house, broke the contract because i couldn't afford to pay(did communicate with the owner about the situation), was handed over for a total amount of money. i attempted to make a payment arangement but was handed over and eventually received a summons. When i received the summons i contacted the lawyers to make a payment arrangement. I offered R500 per month, then R800 which was declined everytime. Eventually R1000 was accepted.when i received the acceptance letter, i replied stating: I have initiated a scheduled payment for the next year, Standard bank does not allow more than 1 year, after this i will redo the stop order until i have paid off the balance of R22 776.82 with the final payment of R776.82 due end July 2020

After that no reply was received. i assumed all was correct. for the last 9 months i have paid R1000 as agreed. According to my calculations, i owed only r13 776.82

i contacted them this week, they could not find my file. i wanted to settle the full remaining balance so i can settle the matter. they then replied with this: We refer to the above as well as the call between our Miss C Besterand yourself on 27 and 28 August 2019.2. We confirm the current outstanding amount is R25 729,44 which is thecapital and legal fees.3. We attach hereto our costs for legal fees and are prepared to accept the full and final amount of R22 776,82 (twenty two thousand sevenhundred and seventy six rand and eight two cents).

i called back and told them that nowhere ever did they inform me that i will be responsible for the legal fees. the lady said she would get back to me.

this was the reply today:

Good day

We refer to the above as well as the telephone conversation between our Ms C Bester and yourself on 28 instant.

We confirm that at the time the summons was served the legal costs were already R 10 420,62, the summons indicates that you are responsible for all legal costs herein.

Either we proceed with default judgement in this matter and attach property or you make an offer to pay off the legal costs.

We await your response.

I feel that they are bullying me, trying to drain more and more money out of me, which i don't even have. i have to have some rights.

Please help me by telling me what my rights are in this case and in what matter i can respond. i do not have that much money. i only have the r13776.82 which i can pay now and settle this.

thank you

natasha