Asked by the Customer on 17-09-2014 09:44:11
Question posted in the Landlord Tenant Law category relating to Western Cape

My lease started 7 May 2014 and was signed for a year. Then during June/July we had lots of rain and I was away for 1 week. I canceled the garden services (which is not part of the contract to have them). I couldn't afford them. I didn't mow the lawn for a few weeks during the rainy season and because I was away. I'm a divorced mom with two teenagers and don't own a lawn mower. So the landlady asked me why I cancelled the services and I told her I couldn't afford it any longer. Then I borrowed a lawn mower and my son mowed the lawn. Three days after this I received a letter from her attorney to say that she will organise for the garden services to come but the money for this service will be deducted from my deposit. Is this legal and fair? She did just that - one afternoon the garden services just came and started working in the garden. I refused to let them in because I don't have the money to pay and it wasn't arranged with me. The next day she came with the garden services and a few days later another letter from the attorney to say that she's had enough of me and I should leave on 30 September. In the meantime I've given my name up at all the rental agencies in our town and I've been looking in our weekly advertising newspaper for properties to rent. So far I haven't found a house that fits my budget or has what I need - I need a 3 bedroom house that is safw because it's just me and the two kids that live in the house. And I have a 15 yr old daughter and a 18yr old son. They cannot share a room. I'm a teacher that works for the Governing Body of my school. I cannot afford more than R5500 a month. Can you help me? What happens if I don't find a house in the next 13 days? I did write a letter to her attorney stating that I'm doing all I can to find a house. Then the attorney wrote back saying if I'm not out on the 30th there will be legal action for my account.