Active since Jan 2017
I write this review in complete distress We were residing at the above-mentioned property as tenants and later proceeded to purchase it through Vartrust Properties, with Renee Varejes as our property agent. While the initial interactions with Ms. Varejes were cordial, the situation deteriorated significantly after our lease expired during the property transfer process. To avoid any further rental liabilities, we vacated the property while the transfer was still in process. During this period, locks were changed by Renee Varejes and Anchané Kriek without our knowledge or consent. When the registration was finalized, keys were couriered to us, but they were faulty and nearly impossible to use. As a result, we couriered them back to Ms. Varejes to resolve the issue. Issues: Unprofessional and Hostile Behaviour by Anchané Kriek: Throughout the legal process, Ms. Kriek displayed persistent rudeness and hostility. She failed to engage with us in a professional manner and created an environment of unnecessary stress and conflict. We understand she has since left her firm, which reflects on the nature of her conduct. Negligence and Lack of Transparency by Renee Varejes: Upon returning the faulty keys to Renee Varejes, we expected a prompt and professional resolution. Instead, she handed over the keys to Ms. Kriek without our consent — someone we had clearly had a strained relationship with. When asked who was in possession of our keys, Renee. Varejes refused to provide a clear answer and became combative in correspondence, even stating she would no longer engage with us. We have emails documenting this conduct. Financial Burden Shifted to Us; Renee Varejes suggested that we should have changed the locks ourselves, passing the responsibility and cost for their decision (changing the locks without informing us) onto us. This is unacceptable, especially considering the property was in a different state than when we left it. As of now, we still do not have access to the property, as the keys have not been handed over. Despite our repeated efforts, we have received no assistance from Renee Varejes in locating the individual who reportedly holds the keys. This situation is unacceptable. We are already incurring bond payments on a property we are unable to access, and the lack of support and professionalism demonstrated thus far is deeply concerning.
I am writing to formally raise a serious concern regarding the conduct and handling of our recent property transaction in Johannesburg, for which your firm was responsible. My husband and I recently purchased a property, and the conveyancer assigned to us was Ms. Anchané Kriek. Unfortunately, our experience with Ms. Kriek was highly unsatisfactory. Throughout the process, she displayed unprofessional and, at times, hostile behavior. I addressed these concerns with her on multiple occasions and can provide email correspondence as evidence of her conduct. Due to the severity of the situation, Mr. André Germishuizen eventually stepped in and took over the matter. Once he became involved, communication improved, and the transaction began to progress more smoothly. During the registration period, we vacated the property (which we were occupying under a lease that was about to expire) to allow time for the transfer to be completed. However, upon registration and handover of the keys, we discovered that the locks had been changed—under Ms. Kriek’s instruction—and the new locks were faulty. They were difficult to operate, and we encountered issues on the very first day. We returned the keys to Ms. Kriek and requested a functional replacement lock set. Despite numerous follow-ups, we have yet to receive the new keys. It has now been over a month, and we remain unable to access our property. We are particularly distressed, as our bond repayments are set to begin this month, and our temporary living arrangement ends on the last day of the month. To make matters worse, we have learned that Ms. Kriek is no longer with the firm. She has not responded to any of our emails or phone calls since her departure, and we are unable to gain access to the property due to remote-controlled gate access and the lack of functional keys. Given that all of this occurred while Ms. Kriek was acting on behalf of your firm, we urgently seek clarification on the following: Who is now responsible for resolving this matter? Is the firm liable for following up and ensuring the completion of outstanding issues? This situation has caused significant emotional and financial strain. We urgently request your assistance in resolving the matter without further delay. All relevant documentation and correspondence are available for review upon request. We appreciate your immediate attention to this issue and look forward to a prompt response.
I purchased a property last year in Pietermaritzburg, which was registered in my name of the 15th of December 2017. The Agents were Natal propeties (cascades PMB) a gentleman called Brad Smith and his supervisor being Paul Campbell sold the propety to me. I Transferred the electricity bill into my name on the 2nd of January 2018. When the municipality went onsite to activate the electricity they forund the Property to ha NO METER! Natal Properties and a lady from Stowel and Co. PMB named Pam ****ason had scammed me into buying property that had NO electricity. I was issued An Electrical compliance Certificate which you buy property based on its information right? I say I was scammed because I was Only given the Electrical compliance Certificate by Stowel on the 2nd of January 2018, after the transfer had gone through. when I went through the certificate : 1. It was two years old, conducted June/July 2016 2. It had no Meter Number meaning the certificate could of been for any property as the meter number is tied to the Address 3. It had no stamp from the electrician to legitify the document. Its been three Months waiting on Natal Properties and Stowell & Co. promising to sort out the matter, today 05/03/2018 I made a personal Visit to the PMB municipality, they provided me with an account which they are still billing on a monthly bases because no query has been lodged, they have not been notified of any missing meter. If Natal properties Stowel and Co. and the owner a ( Mr Konikrammer from Oasis Trust) had any real intention to sort out a mistake that they made upon selling me property that does not comply to be sold to anybody by law, I believe they would have lodged a complaint as a matter of urgency. I've been paying for this property for three months, I haven't been able to live in it due to the lack of a basic resource of electricity. I bought the property out of convenience, its close to my six year old's school, my lease expired January 31st 2018 in my previous rental,I've had to live like a nomad in the interim because I don't want to commit to a new lease and pay bond and rent at the same time ,and to find out these people have done nothing to rectify a wrong they have done to me is appalling. I really don't want to make it a racial degradation, but as a young black south African female, who works really hard, I shouldn't have to be bullied out of my right to electricity. In competencies such as this should not be acceptable in the society we live in. I travel extensively to get my child to school only to travel again to get to my place of employment. is this the type of country we are promoting, people getting away with fraud such as this ? Natal Properties , Stowel & Co. and Oasis Trust seem like irrefutable companies but all they do is scam us into believing they are when they are obviously NOT.
<p>On the Third of November 2016 I was scammed out of R3900 in my account, by a phishing email that standard bank sent to me on my personal email. I mean who else would send such an e-mail with the specific knowledge that I have an account with them. When I realised the theft which was done via cash send I called the bank, which took the longest time to pick up my call, I was on hold for more then 12 minutes so I could speak to a consultant.</p> <p> </p> <p>When I got through I was given a case number and miss informed that I should open a case at the police station which took me days to establish that, cause the police station was just as confused as I was about who am I open the case against are they suppose to investigate standard bank or what. Anyways the bank said it would take 4/6 weeks for them to conduct their own investigation, during that time they NEVER once called me to inform me about the investigation, the person assigned to my case NEVER, not even once responded to the voicemail messages I left her, I could never get any help from anyone else cause I was only meant top deal with the person assigned to my case , who by the way was never available ,EVER!</p> <p> </p> <p>At the end of the six weeks, I called in a rage only to be told the investuigation had been completed a week before, Why the Hell didnt anyone call me to tell that, OMG I was appauled. Standard Bank Refused to pay me back my money, ow and they had nonsensical explanations why they couldnt. </p> <p> </p> <p>This Bank is the wooooorst. They are complete thieves scamming us of our money, as if they dont already over charge us for their services, and completely unproffesional, I dont know how many times I've spoken to consultants that dont understand a word of english. I'm sick of being treated like this, Ive been with this bank for over 20yrs ever since 2006 and this is what I get for my loyalty.</p>
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