Lettingworx Gross Unprofessionalism

I rented a garden cottage from Annie McLelland the principal of the Lettingworx company. The cottage was located on her property on which she also resided. She entered my private rented area twice without my permission during my absence in a non-emergency setting, the second time despite my grievance which I discussed with her at length after she entered the first time.

Upon the end of my lease, I hired a professional cleaning company to do a full end of tenancy deep clean, at no small cost to myself (and by no means a legal requirement for end of tenancy). The company cleaned and I conducted the exit inspection immediately thereafter (the time and date of which was agreed upon mutually between Annie and myself long prior). Annie noticed no damage and was so impressed with the cleaning she asked me to send her the company's details. I handed over all the keys, and she confirmed she would refund the entire deposit minus transaction fees the next day.

Approximately four hours later I received a message from her informing me that the sofas smelled, the floor was dirty, and she demanded I return tomorrow and pay for not only another cleaning service but also a full sofa cleaning (they were cleaned - and no mention of dirt or smell made during exit inspection). I was honestly shocked. I had spent all this money on a professional cleaning company, something none of my previous landlords have required, and I have had glowing recommendations from them. I have never not had my full deposit refunded. All this effort, and on the exit inspection it was all smiles. How incredibly unprofessional to message me hours after the inspection, when I have not been present on the property and know nothing of what occurred since I left, and tell me the place is dirty and demand another clean. Forgive me, but I couldn't even help wondering if she intended to use the money she hoped to take from my deposit to clean her own home and sofas. Because I was not present, how could I know?

After presenting to her calmly the legalities surrounding an exit inspection, of which being in the rental property business she is obviously completely aware, she finally agreed to pay me the entire deposit (again) minus transaction fees. I then asked her for proof of payment and a statement.

Only four days later did I receive the deposit, however, almost R500 was missing. As I could not reconcile how that could be the transaction fee cost, I contacted her via WhatsApp to obtain a statement (which I had previously asked her for before receiving payment but was ignored). Two days later I received a statement that only showed amount paid and demonstrated none of the deductions. I emailed her company address as well as messaged again. I am still being ignored. I still don't know why or what she deducted. It is completely within my right as a tenant to receive a proper statement showing any and all deductions (including transaction fees).

Honestly, this is not to go on a long rant. The purpose of this review is simple. I absolutely wish someone had warned me about this landlord. I wish we as tenants are afforded the ability to ask for tenancy recommendations (just as landlords ask for previous landlord recommendations). I cannot imagine the hardships such an attitude has caused her tenants. Had I known she would enter the property I am paying for over and over without permission, or would still attempt to swindle me out of my deposit after a conducted exit inspection, I never would have rented the property. Because no property, however beautiful, is worth it.

So I am leaving this review here, so that hopefully someone who is smarter than me and does their background check, can be warned and go into a rental with the full picture. It wasn't fun, but thankfully it's over now.

And no, landlords aren't ruined for me, some of them are made out of the best gold there is. Some of us tenants aren't bad either - I still paid full month's rent when I lost my full month's salary during covid.

Just go into your rentals carefully people. And know your tenancy rights. If you do, people like Annie won't be able to swindle you no matter how they try.

So this is me, doing my two cents to stand up for the fellow tenants out there.