Misconduct and abuse of power!!

Not too long ago, De Lucia Group took over as body corporate of a complex I own an apartment in. I have been renting out this apartment for over 7 years, and never have I struggled this much to communicate with a Body Corporate.

This flat is situated in Stanton Creek, and in November 2024, De Lucia Group, along with the trustee group, decided to fine my tenants for supposed damage to the creepy crawly of the shared pool facility. I say "supposed damage" as when I requested evidence of this damage, they could not provide me with any proof that the crawly was actually damaged, only a video from October 2024 (more than a month before the "supposed damage" was noted), and an invoice showing the purchase of a new crawly. No third party assessment of damage, or photo of broken parts, or anything actually involving the crawly they got fined for. The video of my tenants using the pool, was also just that... a video of my tenants USING the pool.

When asked about this, their response was simply: "Your tenants were determined to be the last to use the pool, and therefore it had to be them".

I asked them several follow ups, as in how old the crawly was, could it perhaps have been due to wear and tear? What exactly on the crawly was broken?

I probably spoke to 3/4 different people, the main one being Celestine Hart, my portfolio manager, who told me that I was lacking logic and that my enquiries were unfair. I also sent several emails, and eventually this just resulted in the answer of "Take us to the necessary authorities and see if they resolve the matter for you".

De Lucia was absolutely firm on their decision and refused to even indulge the idea of the fine being challenged. This fine was not big, but it was the principle of the matter that fines can be created and invoiced to people without literally any evidence. Purely based on opinions and gut feelings.

To make matters worse, they enforced this fine via charging interest and surcharges on it for as long as it went unpaid. This added up to close to R400/m. They also disconnected my tenants power 3 times in 3 weeks for periods extending up to 3-4 days sometimes, on the basis that there was money outstanding on the bill. Granted, I paid my utilities and levies on time every month, and the only outstanding amount would have been this fine which was under dispute.

I am shocked by this behavior and way of doing business. It us unbelievable and frankly disgusting. Buying property and leasing it out is already difficult enough, with the risk that come along with tenants, and the last thing you need is the body corporate making it even more difficult. They are suppose to be there to help you, not end up chasing your tenants away.

The worst part is you physically can't do anything about it, as it involves quite a large investment, and they know disposing of it for something so tedious would be idiotic, so they leverage off that, and trust that you will just eventually break and bend to their will.

I am truly disappointed.