Asked by the Customer on 29-11-2023 14:39:56
Question posted in the Landlord Tenant Law category relating to Gauteng
My friend and I signed a two-year rental contract. Unfortunately, our living arrangement didn't work out, and we needed to give notice before the contract's expiration. We provided the real estate agent with more than one and a half months' notice and occupied the property until the end of November, as new tenants are scheduled to move in on December 1, 2023. My question is whether the real estate agent is justified in deducting a penalty fee of R6800 from our deposit. The owner is not incurring any financial loss, as the property will not be vacant, and new tenants will be occupying it on December 1, 2023. Is it appropriate for them to deduct this amount from our deposit under these circumstances?
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