Don't buy or rent

Unfortunately, my experience living in the Residence Estate in Parklands North, Cape Town, has been consistently disappointing and concerning.

The property is frequently filthy, with common areas poorly maintained. There is constant noise and repeated disturbances, particularly from certain blocks, and despite numerous reports, no meaningful action is ever taken. Serious issues are routinely ignored. Building manager is never seen.

On 17 January 2026, following an ongoing disturbance that I reported to security, I personally witnessed an unsupervised child throwing stones at vehicles in the visitors’ parking area. I immediately reported this to security. Instead of the matter being addressed appropriately, the situation escalated. A security guard arrived at my apartment accompanied by an unidentified individual who had been informed that I was the person who reported the incident. This individual confronted me in an aggressive manner and made verbal threats to me inciting violence, causing me to feel unsafe in my own apartment.

This incident highlights a broader problem within the estate: complaints are not handled professionally, there is no accountability, and residents’ safety is not prioritised. Communication is extremely difficult, there are no clear points of contact, follow-ups are non-existent, and attempts to raise concerns are largely ignored.

Ironically, the only matter that seems to receive consistent enforcement attention is disabled parking, while far more serious issues relating to safety, noise, cleanliness, and security are overlooked.

As a paying owner, I expected a well-managed, secure, and peaceful living environment. Sadly, this has not been the case, and the lack of effective management and response has made living here increasingly frustrating and unsafe