Asked by the Customer on 24-07-2020 10:16:39
Question posted in the Landlord Tenant Law category relating to Western Cape

We are tenants staying in a 3 bedroom house. 4 adults and 2 children. Only 3 adults worked full time. Then the lock down in March and all is over. Only one tenant could get a full salary for two months and half salary the 3 rd month. No UIF with other 2 tenants. . Then we started to struggle to pay 10500. monthly rent and 3000 electricity. Our lease off two years will be ending in Ocktober in 3 months time. We contacted the agency after struggling to pay full rent and pay 6000. to rent and 3000 electricity. We explainened it to the agency and thy told us if we want to move the penitly will be almost 50000. We cant afford to stay here any longer after we recieved a electricity account off 7000. in lockdown. We then contact the agency's again and told them that we are moving end off Jully because we do not have money to pay for August. They appleid back that even if we move out end July we will still be allaiable to pay full payment for August plus penalty. We told them that we can only pay the amout we short paid from lockdown. They already used our deposit to pay some short payments outstanding.. We want to move to a cheaper place but the agency said even if we move we will still be alliable for rent till they can find tenants suitable. What can we do. We are still on lock down rules with restaurants and only one tenant receives a full salary.