R11,000 Deposit Dispute – Failure to Provide Inspection Photos, Reports, or Repair Invoices

I rented an apartment in De Velde through an agent named Donita on a 10-month lease. Throughout my stay I had no issues on my side as a tenant, however there were several issues during the tenancy which I was often told to resolve myself.

At the beginning of the lease I paid a total deposit of R35,000, with interest expected as per standard rental practice.

When my lease ended, a joint exit inspection was conducted. During this inspection the following items were identified: • Painting the unit • Repairing 2 blinds and 1 blackout blind • Garden maintenance • Repairing approximately 8 holes in the wall • Cleaning after repairs

These are relatively minor repair items which realistically take about 7 days to complete and should not reasonably exceed approximately R10,000 in actual cost.

However, after the repair period passed and I requested my refund, the situation changed significantly. Instead of providing a clear breakdown, I was only refunded R14,000 of the R35,000 deposit. The remaining R21,000 was withheld and described as costs related to “wear and tear.”

I strongly dispute this amount.

The damages identified during the joint inspection do not appear to justify R21,000 in deductions. I have repeatedly requested transparency regarding the deductions, including:

• Inspection photographs showing the condition of the property • A full breakdown of the deductions • Invoices, quotations, or receipts showing the actual repair costs

None of this documentation has been provided to me.

Communication then became extremely difficult. The agent Donita eventually blocked further communication. I also attempted to contact colleagues within the agency, including Angie and the person presented as Donita’s superior, but my requests have been ignored.

What concerns me most is that explanations have changed multiple times and statements have been made that I can factually dispute, which raises serious concerns about the professionalism and transparency of how this matter has been handled.

My legal representative is currently disputing R11,000 of the withheld amount, as the damages do not reasonably justify the total deduction being claimed.

I am requesting the following:

• A full breakdown of the deductions made from the R21,000 • Copies of the inspection reports and photographs • Invoices or receipts showing the actual repair costs • Payment of the remaining balance that cannot be justified by legitimate damages

Should this matter remain unresolved, I will proceed with escalation through the Rental Housing Tribunal for formal review of the deductions and the handling of my deposit.