I am renting out a unit, and it turns out that the rental i paid went to wrong account which i understand is my fault. however the agency did not communicate with me at any point that the rent for the month is still due. instead they have been communicating with my partner who failed to disclose all this to me. They went on to cut off the electricity and lock me out of the apartment and claim that i can only be granted access upon paying the full rent, which i have to pay double even if i will not be at the property due to this missed payment. I also paid up a security payment which is twice the rent amount when i moved to the property. My question is do they have a right to cut my electricity and lock me out without properly communicating with me. And am i able to ask that they use a portion of my deposit until month end when i can repay what was taken from the rental security.

Hi there,

I see that you haven't made a payment for the question, but I'm going to assist you a little. If you want to ask a follow-up question, please make the required payment.

Legally, they are not allowed to cut off the electricity or lock you out of the apartment. This is called an illegal spoliation, and you can get a court order (in the Magistrates Court) to force the landlord to give you access again.

Att. Patrick

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