We have been renting a home now for 13 m...

Asked by the Customer on 03-10-2014 15:21:35
Question posted in the Landlord Tenant Law category relating to KwaZulu-Natal

We have been renting a home now for 13 months. We found out that the rent in our area is much less than we are paying. Rental homes go for R3500 - R3800, we are paying R5000. Its in Phoenix Durban. Also the owner just doesn't install certain items. After 13 months of empty promises. Can I ask reduction in rent (R1000) so rent will be R4000 and for reimbursement due to him not fixing or installing the items in over a year.

He also wants to start building something on the property, I don't know what. A guy came to measure our yard and said the owner wants to build an outside building. We didn't get notice of any of this just a call to say someone will be coming here and to let him in. He didn't say when or why. The guy showed up 5 days later and then again 3 days after and then again on a sunday morning witch I refused him entry on the last time as we were about to leave for church. He hasn't come back again. He pays the tax and rates late so that we either we have to pay extra on our bill for late payment or our electricity gets disconnected and then we must pay the reconnection fees. In Durban if your bill is in areas R250 they cut it. His tax and rates are R270. Also we pay extra on water because of a valve outside that's leaking and he doesn't fix it.

From 1Sept 2013 - 3 Oct 2014
1. We use curtains for the shower as he still haven't installed shower doors from before we moved in.
2. The broken water valve still not replaced. (Witch is directly responsible for our water bill to be higher than it should be)
3. The stove that I have a eye witness to that he said he would install later, he said that on the day we moved in and then 3 days later after signing the contract he denied in saying so, and then didn't install a stove.
4. Door on my sons room not installed like promised.
5. Our electricity cut due to him paying rates and taxes late. Electricity cut on the 10th September and payment made on 10th September.
6. Leaking taps we had to fix.
7. The curtain railings we had to install because he said its our duty and we have to pay it out of our own pocket.
8. Deposit interest Stating we don't get the interest on the deposit.
9. Failing to provide written receipts for all payments made. Cash or bank payments.
10. Failing to install the safety gate on the back door like promised.
11. Bic kitchen doors that doesn't close properly.
12. Bedroom bic draws and doors not fitted properly and falling off.
13. Shower drain getting blocked due to bad installation. (Can't clean the drain because the top is cemented on)

Please help us. Your input would be greatly appreciated. h

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